On the Reason for the Trials Borne by Certain Believers

The Shaikh (may Allah be well pleased with him, and grant him contentment) said:

Allah’s only reason for putting to the test a certain group of Allah’s believers, dearly loved friends of His, is to bring them back through tribulation to begging, for He loves to receive their requests, and He loves to respond to them when they ask. He then gives generosity and openhandedness their due, for these two demand of Him (Almighty and Glorious is He) that He respond when believers come begging. The response will be forthcoming, though maybe not the instant ready cash — on account of destiny’s deferment, not because of unresponsiveness and deprivation.

The servant should therefore behave correctly when misfortune befalls him. He should examine his sinfulness in omitting commandments, committing things forbidden, outwardly and inwardly, and disputing with destiny. Since he deserves punishment for this, he maybe undergoing tribulation as a way of paying his dues. If the trial is removed, well and good. If not, he should make a practice of supplication, humble entreaty and apology. He should persist in asking, since it is always possible that he is being tried so that he will put his requests to Him, and he should not be suspicious of Him for postponing His response, as we have explained.

Only Allah is All-Knowing!

– Revelations of the Unseen, Fifty-Second Discourse