Salaf-us-Saalih.com :: The Call of the Salaf is True Islam

If Allah test a person does it means He loves him?
Explained by Shaykh Sulayman Ruhaylee

Question:

The questioner says: If Allah loves a person He tries him with adversity, therefore if a person is befallen with misfortune is this proof that Allah loves this Muslim?

Shaykh Sulayman Ruhaylee:

Pay attention brothers. Trials and tribulations, as it relates to them in general, have reasons.

The first reason is due to the deficiency of the person because of his sins. So he will be afflicted with calamities due to his sins.

And the second reason is the shortcomings of the Muslim. Meaning: Allah desires for the slave a position in paradise but he is not able to reach it by his actions. Thus Allah says to the Angels; pour down upon him calamities in abundance. This is in order to raise his status; and these are two affairs.

And if a calamity befalls a person then he should have a good thought about his Lord and a bad thought about himself. So when he looks from his own perspective he says: “This is from my sins.” And we all make mistakes. (And looking at it in this way) will allow him to leave off the sin. And when he looks at the situation as it relates to Allah the Glorified and Exalted he says: “Perhaps Allah wants good for me, perhaps Allah wants a high position (in paradise) for me.”

Some of the scholars; we have heard them say; the individual as it relates to himself he views it due to his sins, and as it relates to others he views it due to them being elevated in status. Meaning, if a trial befalls you then you view that you have been afflicted based upon your sins. And if a trial befalls your brother then you view it as Allah desires to elevate his status, this is from the angle of having a good thought about your brother. And this is a good affair.

Some of the people, when a calamity befalls his brother they add to the calamity. Rather than giving them condolences and improving the situation, they inflict more punishment. If the person’s child dies, if the person is in an accident, he comes and says: “Brother this is from your sins!”

And this is incorrect, even if the statement could be true. Rather he should improve the situation and give him condolences and approach him with good manners and say: “O my brother, there are some trials that contain a reward which was not sought after, so it they occur they are better for the person.” For example the death of a child; the death of a child contains a great reward but this reward is not sought after. “The person does not want for his child to die, but if he dies there is a great reward. A house will be built for him in paradise. And I hope that this will be the case for you as it relates to your trial.” “And we are deficient, and we are sinners, perhaps we have committed some sins and Allah desires to pardon us for our sins; and all praises belong to Allah.” (He should say) something along these lines.

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee
Masjid Tawheed wa Sunnah, Durham, NC
http://mtws.posterous.com