155- AND WE WILL TEST YOU WITH FEAR, HUNGER, AND SHORTAGE OF WEALTH, SOULS, AND CROPS, BUT GIVE GLADE TIDINGS TO THE PIOUS.

156- THOSE WHO ARE WHENEVER AFFLICTED WITH A CALAMITY THEY SAY: “WE BELONG TO ALLAH AND TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN”

157- THOSE WILL HAVE BLESSING AND MERCY FROM THEIR LORD AND THOSE ARE THE RIGHTLY GUIDED.

We are usually ok at times of prosperity and as long as things are going well for us.  This can be very different at times of calamity.  This is why calamity and afflictions are often the usual tests for our faith.  Prosperity is a test for our faith as well for Allah the Highest said: “WE TRY YOU WITH WHAT IS EVIL AND WHAT IS GOOD, AS A TEST, AND TO US YOU SHALL RETURN”.  (S:21 A:35)

And Allah the Highest said: “DID PEOPLE THING THAT THEY WILL BE LEFT FOR SAYING: ‘WE BELIEVE’, WITHOUT BEING TESTED * INDEED, WE HAVE TESTED THOSE BEFORE YOU, SO THAT ALLAH KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE TRUTHFUL, AND KNOWS THE TRUTHFUL, AND KNOWS THE LIARS”.  (S:29 A:2,3)

Every thing that happens to us on Earth is a test.  The most important thing is to remember that and :

-         All will end, for nothing will last, good or bad.

-         We shall return to Allah at the end to be judge and for our recompense.

Allah the Highest is telling us here about testing via affliction and calamities, like fear of the enemy, being short on men and food and money.  Such afflictions Allah the Highest used to test other nations before us.  Allah the Highest said: “OR DID YOU THINK THAT YOU WILL ENTER THE PARADISE WITHOUT HAVING COME TO YOU THE LIKE OF WHAT CAME TO THOSE BEFORE YOU, THEY WERE AFFECTED BY AFFLICTIONS, ADVERSITY AND WERE SHAKEN, UNTIL THE MESSENGER AND THOSE WITH HIM WOULD SAY: “WHEN SHALL ALLAH’S SUPPORT ARRIVE?  INDEED, ALLAH’S SUPPORT IS NEAR”.  (S:2 A:214)

Accepting and tolerating the trial and afflictions, knowing that they are all from Allah the Highest to whom we shall return is the mark or strong and deep rooted Faith.  This is marked by saying “WE BELONG TO ALLAH, AND TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN”.  Then blessings and mercy of Allah will descend upon them. 

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him also told us to ask Allah the Highest to reward us for our affliction and replace it with what is better, then Allah the Highest Will.  Om Salama, Allah’s messenger’s wife reported that Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “He who is afflicted with a calamity and says what Allah commanded: “WE BELONG TO ALLAH AND TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN”, my Lord reward me for my calamity and replace it with what is better, Allah will do this to him.  Then Om Salama said: When Abi Salama died I said that, then I said: But who is better than Abi Salama.  Allah replaced him with Allah’s messenger who married her”.  (Mal:Janaez;42 & D:Janaez;18 & A:4;27)

In fact a Muslim may remember his affliction at any time, and does the same.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Any Muslim, man or woman afflicted by a calamity, when he remembers it, even after a long time, then says “WE BELONG TO ALLAH AND TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN”, Allah will renew his promise to him and give him the same reward he gave him when he was afflicted”. (A: 1;201 4;27 & Ma:Janaez;55)

This is the mark or deep faith.  As the saying goes “Allah gives, Allah takes, Allah will replace”.

B: Bukhari  M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi