Why Allah Tests Us: Guidance from the Quran & Sunnah

The Almighty Allah sent humanity to Earth as His vicegerents, or representatives. Life in this world is, by its very nature, a test, which often leads people to ask why Allah tests us. It is an intricate journey of joy and sorrow, abundance and scarcity, health and illness. Allah, the Most High, states in one of the key Quran verses about hardship:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمبِشَيْءٍمِّنَالْخَوْفِوَالْجُوعِوَنَقْصٍمِّنَالْأَمْوَالِوَالْأَنفُسِوَالثَّمَرَاتِۗوَبَشِّرِالصَّابِرِينَ

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah: 155)

However, humans often disobey Allah’s commands, become heedless, and bring about turmoil on Earth through their own actions. It is often due to these sins and disobedience that various calamities and hardships descend upon us. Yet, Islam does not only identify the problem; it provides a clear and comprehensive path to relief. In this article, we will explore the causes of calamities and the means of salvation from them, all in the light of the Quran and Hadith.

Part One: Understanding Why Allah Tests Us Through Calamities

Hardships befall us for reasons that are both worldly and spiritual. According to the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), the primary causes are:

One of the profound truths about why Allah tests us is to gauge the strength of our faith. An Expiation for Sins Sometimes, minor hardships serve as a means to erase our sins. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 5641)

Disobedience and Engagement in Sin Many people ask, why does Allah let bad things happen? One of the most significant reasons for widespread affliction is disobedience to Allah. Sins such as associating partners with Allah (Shirk), injustice, abandoning prayer, dealing in interest (Riba), the spread of immorality, and failing to rule by what Allah has revealed can bring His wrath upon a land. Allah says:

وَمَاأَصَابَكُممِّنمُّصِيبَةٍفَبِمَاكَسَبَتْأَيْدِيكُمْوَيَعْفُوعَنكَثِيرٍ

“And whatever strikes you of disaster – it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much.”

(Surah Ash-Shura: 30)

An Opportunity to Return to Allah Allah loves His servants. Therefore, He sometimes sends minor hardships as a warning. This is another part of the wisdom behind why Allah tests us—to awaken us from our state of heedlessness and inspire us to return to Him in repentance.

Part Two: What to Do Before a Calamity Strikes

Prevention is always better than cure. Islam teaches us certain practices that, if performed regularly, can protect us from many hardships by the mercy of Allah.

1. Uphold Taqwa and Obey Allah’s Commands Taqwa can be defined as God-consciousness, piety, and the fear of Allah that inspires one to obey His commands and refrain from His prohibitions. Whoever has Taqwa, Allah protects them from all difficulties and provides for them from sources they could never imagine. Allah states:

وَمَنيَتَّقِاللَّهَيَجْعَللَّهُمَخْرَجًاوَيَرْزُقْهُمِنْحَيْثُلَايَحْتَسِبُ

“…And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect.”

(Surah At-Talaq: 2-3)

The Prophet (ﷺ) advised Ibn Abbas (RA), saying:

‘Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah…’

(Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2516)

2. Possess Excellent Character Good character and virtuous deeds can shield a person from ruin. When the first revelation came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and he was shaken by the experience, his wife Khadijah (RA) comforted him with these words:

“Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously, and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 4953)

Scholars have noted that this incident proves that noble character and good deeds are a cause of safety from terrible calamities.

3. Engage in Regular Repentance (Tawbah) and Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfar) Just as sins invite hardship, repentance and seeking forgiveness repel it. This is an act that should be performed constantly, not just after a calamity strikes. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from sources he does not expect.”

(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith: 1518)

4. Make Regular Supplication (Dua) and Remembrance (Dhikr) There are numerous supplications from the Sunnah that act as a shield against harm. Making a regular Dua for Protection is a key preventative measure.

• Morning and Evening Supplications: The Prophet (ﷺ) said that whoever recites the following supplication three times in the morning and evening, nothing will harm them:

‘In the Name of Allah, with Whose Name nothing on the earth or in the heaven can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.’

(Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3388)

• Supplication When Leaving the House: Reciting the supplication for leaving the home grants a person protection for the entire day. (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith: 5095)

Part Three: Dealing with Hardship: What to Do After a Calamity Strikes

If a hardship does occur, one should not despair but instead turn to the solutions prescribed by Islam.

1. Practice Patience (Sabr) The first and most crucial step in facing any hardship is Sabr (patience). Understanding why Allah tests us can provide the perspective needed to remain steadfast, be content with Allah’s decree, and endure the situation with grace. For this, Allah promises an immense reward. Allah says:

يَاأَيُّهَاالَّذِينَآمَنُوااسْتَعِينُوابِالصَّبْرِوَالصَّلَاةِۚإِنَّاللَّهَمَعَالصَّابِرِينَ

“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah: 153)

2. Seek Help Through Worship When afflicted, a believer should increase in their acts of worship, as this is the primary means of drawing closer to Allah.

• Voluntary Prayer (Nafl Salah): Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) was distressed by a matter, he would hasten to prayer. The stories of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and the pious worshipper Juraij also show that they sought and received Allah’s help through prayer during moments of severe trial. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
• The Night Prayer (Tahajjud): In the last third of the night, Allah descends to the lowest heaven and answers the calls of His servants. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes down every night to the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: ‘Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? …'”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 1145)

• Increase in Supplication (Dua): Dua is the weapon of the believer. The “Supplication of Yunus (Jonah)” is particularly powerful in times of distress.

لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

“There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”

(Surah Al-Anbiya: 87)

The Prophet (ﷺ) said about this dua:

“No Muslim ever prays to his Lord with these words for anything, but He will answer his prayer.”

(Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3505)

3. Give Charity (Sadaqah) Giving charity is a powerful act that can avert calamities, extinguish the wrath of Allah, and protect from an evil death. When a person is afflicted, they should give in charity according to their means. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Secret charity extinguishes the Lord’s anger.”

(Silsilah As-Sahihah, Hadith: 1840)

4. Maintain Good Thoughts and Trust in Allah (Tawakkul) Tawakkul means putting one’s complete trust in Allah after striving with all one’s means. A believer must have a good opinion of Allah, believing that whatever He decrees has wisdom and goodness in it. This complete trust is central to how to find peace in Islam, even amidst trials. In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah says:

“I am as My servant thinks I am.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 7405)

5. Take Precautions During Plagues (Quarantine) Islam established the principle of quarantine over 1400 years ago. The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade entering or fleeing from a land afflicted by a plague, a guideline that aligns perfectly with modern public health measures. He said:

“If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 3473)

Conclusion

Calamities are an inevitable part of life. For a believer, understanding why Allah tests us reframes calamities as a test of faith, a means of purification, and an opportunity for spiritual growth. Islam provides a complete framework for dealing with them, offering both preventative measures and powerful remedies. Through Taqwa, good character, and repentance, we can seek protection from hardship. And when trials do come, we can face them with Sabr, prayer, charity, and unwavering trust in Allah. May Allah protect us all from every form of calamity and grant us the strength to follow His guidance in times of hardship. Ameen.