Article appeared Friday, February 4th, 2011 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (165) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Loyalty tested is loyalty proved. Similarly, how does one know if a person is brave? Bravery
demonstrated in action is bravery proved. Equally, can adversity or affliction in the life of a
person be a test of faith? To help understand, let us look at quotations on adversity and affliction
from world literature and famous people in history. The ancient Sam Veda contains the
following:
“The mettle of a man is tested in adversities and he, who remains firm in his belief,
comes out shining.” {1}

How one reacts to adversity therefore reveals the nature of one’s belief. Henry Ward Beecher
(1813 – 1887), an American clergyman, social reformer, abolitionist and speaker highlights the
benefits of affliction in a person’s life:
“Affliction comes to us all, not to make us sad, but sober; not to make us sorry, but
to make us wise; not to make us despondent, but by its darkness to refresh us as
the night refreshes the day; not to impoverish, but to enrich us.” {2}

Affliction therefore not only tests character, it also helps to build character. Most people on earth
claim that they believe in the Creator. What recourse is available to the Creator to separate
belief from hypocrisy? The most recent Revelation, the Qur’an reveals the following:
“If a wound has touched you be sure a similar wound has touched the others. Such days
(of varying fortunes) We give to men and men by turns: that Allah may know those
that believe and that He may take to Himself from your ranks martyr-witnesses (to
Truth). And Allah loves not those that do wrong.” [3.140]

“Do men think that they will be left alone on saying "We believe" and that they will not be
tested? We did test those before them and Allah will certainly know those who are true
from those who are false.” [29.2 – 29.3]

“And Allah most certainly knows those who believe and as certainly those who are
Hypocrites.” [29.11]

In addition,

3.141 “Allah's object also is to prove those that are true in faith and to deprive of
blessing those that resist faith.”
So what should one do when faced with adversity or affliction? How can one prove that one has
faith? To help mankind understand, Allah points out that many people treat affliction as the
Wrath of Allah instead of treating it as a test.
“Then there are among men such as say "We believe in Allah"; but when they suffer
affliction in (the cause of) Allah they treat men's oppression as if it were the Wrath of
Allah! And if help comes from your Lord they are sure to say "We have (always) been
with you!" Does not Allah know best all that is in the hearts of all Creation?” [29.10]

If one believes, one must acknowledge that any calamity is a test to test one’s claim to faith.
Each one of us will be equally tested individually. There is no Power other than that of the
Creator. Calamities, adversities, afflictions are therefore from the Creator given as a test of
belief – they are not as a result of anger or for humiliating an individual.
“No kind of calamity can occur except by the leave of Allah: and if anyone believes in
Allah (Allah) Guides his heart (aright): for Allah knows all things.” [64.11]
 “Now as for man when his Lord tests him giving him honor and gifts then says he
(puffed up with pride) "My Lord has honored me." But when He tests him restricting his
subsistence for him then says he (in despair) "My Lord has humiliated me!"” [89.15 –
89.16]

The purpose of giving honor or wealth is to check whether the individual is grateful and gives
rightful credit to the Creator for blessings and enjoyment received or whether he/she becomes
full of pride and ungrateful. Allah Guides us as to the type of tests and reasons,
“That which is on earth We have made but as a glittering show for the earth in order that
We may test them as to which of them are best in conduct.” [18.7]

“Nor strain your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to parties of
them the splendor of the life of this world through which We test them: but the provision
of your Lord is better and more enduring.” [20.131]

“Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of
trial: to Us must you return.” [21.35]

“Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger some loss in goods or
lives or the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Who
say when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return."” [2.155 –
2.156]

One must therefore never lose heart nor should one despair of the Creator’s Mercy during
adversity. Allah tells us what to do:
“…be firm (in belief) and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and throughout all
periods of panic. Such are the people of truth the Allah-fearing.” [2.177]

What does being firm mean? During panic, if, instead of firmly praying to Allah in silent humility,
one loses heart or runs to religious sages, goes to those who practice occult or deal with the
spirit world, or pins their hope on lucky charms, stones, idols or prophets, what does it imply?
“Say: "It is Allah (alone) who delivers you from these and all (other) distresses: and yet
you (run to and) worship false gods!"” [6.64]

3.142 “Did you think that you would enter heaven without Allah testing those of
you who fought hard (in His cause) and remained steadfast (in adversity)?”
Nor in adversity or battle should one wish for death – rather one should work out what death
means and check the nature of their belief before it is too late.

3.143 “You did indeed wish for death before you came face-to-face with it: now
you have seen death with your own eyes (you flinch!).”
We should trust Allah completely and actively find ways to demonstrate our trust and belief. In
addition, we must take each situation as a test and find ways to do good as much as we can to
please Him.
“For those whose hopes are in the meeting with Allah (in the Hereafter let them strive);
for the Time (appointed) by Allah is surely coming: and He hears and knows (all things).
And if any strive (with might and main) they do so for their own souls: for Allah is free of
any needs from any creation. Those who believe and work righteous deeds from them
shall We blot out all evil (that may be) in them and We shall reward them according to
the best of their deeds.” [29.5 – 29.7]
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{Notes}:
{1} http://www.quotesea.com/quotes/by/sam-veda/2
{2} http://www.quoteland.com/author/Henry-Ward-Beecher-Quotes/640/