Believers will be tested

God explains to us in the holy Quran that the believers will be tested. But He also promises us that the victory belongs to the believers in this world as well as in the hereafter.

[29:2-3] Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test? We have tested those before them, for GOD must distinguish those who are truthful, and He must expose the liars.

We try to pass several tests in this material world for worldly benefits. Just imagine in this world when we wish to hire someone for a job, we test many people and choose one. Then, is it not reasonable that God will test you and distinguish you before admitting you to the paradise?

[2:155] We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast.

[8:28] You should know that your money and your children are a test, and that GOD possesses a great recompense.

God may choose different tests for each of us (21:35). Some are tested with sickness, loss in business, failure

in an examination, loss of money, hunger, loss of a job, losing a friend or a close relative, etc. And other times a test is conducted through joy and God’s blessings such as wealth, knowledge, children, etc. We may think we prefer the test of blessings. But a test with blessings can be more difficult. The person being blessed may lose sight it is a test (39:49) or forget God (39:8) or idolize God’s gifts (7:190, 18:38). The level of testing is different from person to person and God knows best which kind of test is suitable for us.  But in all conditions we must remain patient and submit to God steadfastly; this is an honorable trait of true believers (31:17).

[2:124] Recall that Abraham was put to the test by his Lord, through certain commands, and he fulfilled them. (God) said, “I am appointing you an imam for the people.” He said, “And also my descendants?” He said, “My covenant does not include the transgressors.”

[37:105-6] “You have believed the dream.” We thus reward the righteous. That was an exacting test indeed.

God has not even exempted the prophets, messengers and their families from tests. Right from the time of Adam and Eve, all were tested.

Adam and Eve dealt with the expulsion from Paradise and coming to earth; thereafter a big test was Cain killing Abel (Genesis 4). Abraham was tested through a dream. Noah lost his son. Joseph was tested several times during his life. Solomon was tested with blessings from God, while Job was tested with adversity. Muhammad was tested with several holy wars in which he lost many of his beloved companions and relatives. Almost all of them were severely tested until they were shaken up (2:214). The tests are for our own good. They bring out our convictions, teach us to overcome our weaknesses and purify our souls. We don’t want to object, we want to submit to God. Only with God’s help can we persevere through our test patiently and pass it. God is Almighty, Most Gracious.

It is the system of God Almighty by which the hypocrites are exposed. In the testing times, the disbelievers are confused and they blunder in their transgressions, while the believers submit to God and grow their souls.

God has instructed us through several verses in the Quran to remain steadfast during tests, whether adversity or

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