Testing the Believers
Cont’d from page 2
hardship or adversity. God wants us to implore Him. Do not rush
an answer. God runs everything. (See 40:60)
(5) Steadfastly persevere. This is the greatest
trait of the true believers. (See 2:153, 2:45, 90:17, 2:177 and
103:3). God promised those who steadfastly persevere great recompense.
(See 41:35, 23:111, 22:35, 31:17 and 2:155-157)
(6) Believe that God’s promise is the truth
and that victory belongs to the believers, but you have to pass
your test. Victory is on the way. God’s victory is near. (See
30:47, 30:60, 2:155 and 2:214)
There are two kinds of victories according to the Quran, victory
in this life and the bigger and eternal victory in the Hereafter.
The believers accept whatever God’s victory comes to them
and always strive to achieve the eternal victory in the Hereafter.
(See 9:50-52)
With the help of God and the assurance in the Quran, the true
believers will make the best out of their test and wait for God’s
victory. They trust in God, and know that God is Just. They are
absolutely sure that God’s victory is coming and that God’s
victory is their reward. It is God’s promise.
Related Verses from the Quran
[2:45] You shall seek help through steadfastness
and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not
so for the reverent.
[2:62] Surely, those who believe,
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those who are Jewish,
the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in God,
and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life,
will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing
to fear, nor will they grieve.
[2:155-157] We will surely test you through some
fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news
to the steadfast. When an affliction befalls them, they say, “We
belong to God, and to Him we are returning.” These have deserved
blessings from their Lord and mercy. These are the
guided ones.
[2:214] Do you expect to enter Paradise without
being tested like those before you? They were tested with hardship
and adversity, and were shaken up, until the messenger and those
who believed with him said, “Where is God’s victory?”
God’s victory is near.
[3:120] When anything good comes your way they hurt,
and when something bad happens to you they rejoice. If
you steadfastly persevere, and maintain righteousness,
their schemes will never hurt you. God is fully aware of everything
they do.
[9:50-52] If something good happens to you, they
hurt, and if an affliction befalls you, they say, “We told
you so,” as they turn away rejoicing. Say, “Nothing
happens to us, except what God has decreed for us. He is our Lord
and Master. In God the believers shall trust.” Say, “You
can only expect for us one of two good things
(victory or martyrdom), while we expect for you condemnation
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from God and retribution
from Him, or at our hands. Therefore, wait, and we will wait along
with you.”
[22:11] Among the people there is the one who worships
God conditionally. If things go his way, he is content. But if some
adversity befalls him, he makes an about-face. Thus, he loses both
this life and the Hereafter. Such is the real loss.
[22:35] They are the ones whose hearts tremble upon
mentioning God, they steadfastly persevere during adversity,
they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions
to them, they give to charity.
[23:111] I have rewarded them today, in return for
their steadfastness, by making them
the winners.
[30:47] We have sent messengers before you to their
people, with profound signs. Subsequently, we punished those who
transgressed. It is our duty that we grant victory to
the believers.
[31:17] O my son, you shall observe the Contact
Prayers (Salat). You shall advocate righteousness and forbid evil,
and remain steadfast in the face of adversity.
These are the most honorable traits.
[40:60] Your Lord says, “Implore Me, and I
will respond to you. Surely, those who are too arrogant to worship
Me will enter Gehenna, forcibly.”
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