WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:08.740 A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah. 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:11.740 The causes and purposes of trials and tribulations. 00:00:11.740 --> 00:00:18.219 To begin with, it must be understood that whatever calamity or trial befalls a person, 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:20.219 it is only due to a cause originating from them, 00:00:20.219 --> 00:00:24.219 and because of what their own hands have earned by doing that which is contrary to what is best, 00:00:24.219 --> 00:00:27.219 or by falling into sin and disobedience, 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:29.219 or by committing injustice or disbelief, 00:00:29.219 --> 00:00:31.219 and other such matters. 00:00:31.219 --> 00:00:33.219 Allah the Exalted says: 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:41.219 “Whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your right hands have earned. And He forgiveth much.” (42:30) 00:00:41.219 --> 00:00:43.219 And He, the Exalted, says: 00:00:43.219 --> 00:00:51.219 “And was it so, when a disaster smote you, though ye had smitten (them with a disaster) twice (as great), that ye said: How is this? Say (unto them, O Muhammad): It is from yourselves. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.” (3:165) 00:00:51.219 --> 00:00:55.219 “And was it so, when a disaster smote you, though ye had smitten (them with a disaster) twice (as great), that ye said: How is this? Say (unto them, O Muhammad): It is from yourselves. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.” (3:165) 00:00:55.219 --> 00:00:58.219 The verses conveying this meaning are numerous. 00:00:58.219 --> 00:00:59.219 Despite this, 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:05.219 some who examine the texts that clarify the purpose of trials may become confused, 00:01:05.219 --> 00:01:07.219 and the matter may become unclear to them: 00:01:07.219 --> 00:01:10.219 Is it a punishment and torment for the one being tested? 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:13.219 Or is it an expiation for sins and transgressions? 00:01:13.219 --> 00:01:15.219 Or is it an elevation of ranks? 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:18.219 Or is it a test for the sake of distinction and purification? 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:20.219 To clarify, 00:01:20.219 --> 00:01:24.219 the purpose of a trial may be any of those mentioned, 00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:27.219 or a combination of more than one purpose. 00:01:27.219 --> 00:01:31.219 This varies according to the person being tested. 00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:34.280 For the disbeliever, it is a punishment and torment, 00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:38.280 and perhaps a warning so that they might return from their disbelief and waywardness. 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:40.280 Allah the Exalted says: 00:01:40.280 --> 00:01:47.280 ﴾And We will surely let them taste the nearer punishment short of the greater punishment that perhaps they will return﴿ 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:50.280 The "nearer punishment" is the punishment of this world, 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:54.280 while the "greater punishment" is the punishment of the Hereafter. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:59.280 For the disobedient among the believers, it is an expiation for sins and transgressions, 00:01:59.280 --> 00:02:02.280 and also so that they might return [to the right path]. 00:02:02.280 --> 00:02:05.280 As the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:11.280 "Trials will continue to afflict the believing man and woman in their own selves, their children, and their wealth, 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:15.280 until they meet Allah with no sin upon them." 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:17.280 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:20.280 And he, peace be upon him, said: 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:23.280 "No fatigue, nor disease, 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:25.280 nor anxiety, nor sadness, 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:27.280 nor harm, nor distress befalls a Muslim, 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:30.280 not even a thorn that pricks them, 00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:33.280 but that Allah expiates some of their sins thereby." 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:36.469 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:02:36.469 --> 00:02:40.469 For the prophets and the righteous, it is an elevation of ranks. 00:02:40.469 --> 00:02:43.469 The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 00:02:43.469 --> 00:02:46.469 "The people most severely tested are the prophets, 00:02:46.469 --> 00:02:49.469 then those who are best, then those who are next best. 00:02:49.469 --> 00:02:52.469 A man is tested according to his religious commitment; 00:02:52.469 --> 00:02:55.469 if his commitment is firm, 00:02:55.469 --> 00:02:57.469 his trial is intensified, 00:02:57.469 --> 00:02:59.469 and if there is some weakness in his religious commitment, 00:02:59.469 --> 00:03:01.469 he is tested according to the level of his commitment." 00:03:01.469 --> 00:03:04.469 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ahmad. 00:03:04.469 --> 00:03:07.539 In a general sense, it is for the sake of distinction and purification, 00:03:07.539 --> 00:03:11.539 as Allah the Exalted says: 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:13.539 ﴾Do the people think that they will be left to say, 'We believe' and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.﴿ 00:03:13.539 --> 00:03:16.539 “Do men imagine that they will be left (at ease) because they say, We believe, and will not be tested with affliction?” (29:2) 00:03:16.539 --> 00:03:18.539 ﴾to say, 'We believe'﴿ 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:20.539 ﴾and they will not be tried?﴿ 00:03:20.539 --> 00:03:23.539 ﴾But We have certainly tried those before them,﴿ 00:03:23.539 --> 00:03:26.539 “Lo! We tested those who were before you. Thus Allah knoweth those who are sincere, and knoweth those who feign.” (29:3) 00:03:26.539 --> 00:03:29.539 ﴾and He will surely make evident the liars.﴿ 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:31.539 And He, the Exalted, says: 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:34.539 “It is not (the purpose) of Allah to leave you in your present state till He shall separate the wicked from the good. And it is not (the purpose of) Allah to let you know the Unseen. But Allah chooseth of His messengers whom He will, (to receive knowledge thereof). So believe in Allah and His messengers. If ye believe and ward off (evil), yours will be a vast reward.” (3:179) 00:03:34.539 --> 00:03:36.539 “It is not (the purpose) of Allah to leave you in your present state till He shall separate the wicked from the good. And it is not (the purpose of) Allah to let you know the Unseen. But Allah chooseth of His messengers whom He will, (to receive knowledge thereof). So believe in Allah and His messengers. If ye believe and ward off (evil), yours will be a vast reward.” (3:179) 00:03:36.539 --> 00:03:39.539 “It is not (the purpose) of Allah to leave you in your present state till He shall separate the wicked from the good. And it is not (the purpose of) Allah to let you know the Unseen. But Allah chooseth of His messengers whom He will, (to receive knowledge thereof). So believe in Allah and His messengers. If ye believe and ward off (evil), yours will be a vast reward.” (3:179)