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Is there a difference between punishments and tests that ALLAH puts us through ?

Q:

Is there a difference between punishments and tests that ALLAH puts us through ?

Please help with the answer to the above raised question.

A:

As-salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

thanks for your question

 The nature of human is that on their own and without facing any trouble, arrogance will overcome them. Hence, Allah (az) tests them. The divine test is constant, that is, we face divine tests regularly (like daily) and this is what Allah (az) decided for us (as we can see in the Holy Quran, 29:2,3; 8:28; 2:155) and nobody is excused in these tests (even prophets (sawaw) and Imams (a.s)).

Punishment, however, is the result of acting badly in tests. That is the consequence of an ill action. Punishment, especially in this world and life, is not regular and constant (sometimes faithful people get punished for bad things they do, so that they may repent and make amends as long as they have time)

There are differences between divine test and punishment some of them are:

  • The divine test is for everyone but punishment is for the sins that we do
  • The divine test could be in form of ease and comfort; i.e. some people’s test is wealth, and for others it is poverty and both of them are facing divine tests.

What we can do in facing hardships of life, is to ask for forgiveness from Allah (az) (in case that this hardship is the result of sin) and be patient and ask Allah (az) to give us strength in tolerating this hardship.

regards

Sheikh Mahdi Mosayyebi