Life is filled with tests and trials. One moment everything seems perfect, and the next a calamity strikes that shakes you to your core. In this essential episode of The Deen Show, Shaykh Ibrahim Zidan addresses one of the most pressing questions every human being faces: why do we suffer, and how should we respond when hardship comes? His answers, rooted in the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, offer a roadmap for navigating the storms of life with faith, patience, and purpose.
Why Allah Tests Us: Understanding Divine Wisdom
Shaykh Ibrahim explains that tests are not a sign of Allah’s anger. Rather, they are an essential part of our purpose on earth. Allah created human beings with intellect and the capacity for patience — qualities that even the angels do not possess. Every test is an opportunity to worship Allah through sabr (patience), and every moment of hardship draws the believer closer to the Creator if they respond correctly. From the womb to the tomb, life is one continuous test, and passing it leads to eternal Paradise.
“Allah the Most Wise — anything that happens, happens for a reason and the most noble reason. He did not create the human beings or the Jinn except to worship Him. This broad meaning of worship applies in times of ease and times of difficulty.”
Practical Steps for Facing Life’s Hardships
- At the moment of calamity, remember Allah immediately — say Alhamdulillah and seek refuge in Him instead of reacting with anger or despair
- Rush to prayer (salah) just as the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, would rush to pray whenever something concerned him
- Pour your heart out to Allah in sujood (prostration) — complain to the Most Merciful, not to creation
- Train yourself during times of ease so that you are ready when the test arrives
“The good complaint is when you complain not to the people, but you’re getting all of your feelings out to the One that is the Most Merciful to you. He is the One that listens.”
The beauty of Islam is that no believer is ever left without guidance. Allah sent down the Quran and the Messengers to teach us how to handle every situation we face, whether it is the loss of a loved one, financial hardship, or personal struggles. Patience at the moment of affliction is what counts most, and the reward for those who endure with faith is nothing less than Paradise. Continue to seek knowledge, stay connected to Allah through prayer, and remember that every test is temporary, but your response to it has eternal consequences.
