You lost your job. Or maybe someone you loved. Or your health is failing. Or your marriage is crumbling. Or your child is suffering and you can’t fix it. Or you’ve been making dua for years and nothing has changed.
And you’re sitting there, alone, crying, asking the question every human asks when life breaks them: “Why me, Allah? What did I do to deserve this?”
You look around and see people who barely pray living comfortable lives. People who don’t care about Islam getting everything they want. Meanwhile, you’re trying your best to be a good Muslim and everything is falling apart.
It doesn’t make sense. If Allah ﷻ is merciful, why is He letting you suffer? If He loves you, why is He hurting you?
According to Islamic teachings, here’s the answer you probably don’t want to hear but desperately need to understand: Allah ﷻ tests those He loves. And the more He loves you, the harder the test.
That’s not cruelty. That’s not punishment. That’s purification. That’s elevation. That’s Allah ﷻ preparing you for a level of Paradise you could never reach through easy worship alone.
But I know that doesn’t make the pain go away. So let’s talk about why suffering exists, what it means when Allah ﷻ tests you, and how to survive trials without losing your faith.
The Hadith That Changes Everything
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, as recorded in Jami’ at-Tirmidhi : “The people most severely tested are the prophets, then the righteous, then the next best and the next best. A man is tested according to his level of religious commitment. If his commitment is strong, his test is more severe. If his commitment is weak, his test is lighter. A servant will continue to be tested until he walks on the earth without any sin.”
Read that carefully. The prophets—the best humans to ever exist—were tested more severely than anyone else. Not because they were sinful. Not because they deserved punishment. But because they were the most beloved to Allah ﷻ.
According to Islamic scholars who explain this hadith, the severity of your test corresponds to your spiritual rank. If Allah ﷻ is putting you through something unbearable, it might be because He sees potential in you that you don’t see in yourself.
He’s not breaking you. He’s making you.
Look at the Prophets—The Most Tested Humans Ever
You think your life is hard? According to authentic Islamic sources, let’s look at what the prophets—the ones Allah ﷻ loved most—went through:
Prophet Ayyub (Job) ﷺ lost everything. His wealth? Gone. His children? Dead. His health? Ravaged by disease so severe that people couldn’t stand to be near him. According to Islamic accounts, only his wife stayed with him, and he suffered for years.
But he never cursed Allah ﷻ. He never said “I don’t deserve this.” He said, as the Quran documents:
[Surah Al-Anbya, Ayah 83]
“Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”
He didn’t demand relief. He didn’t threaten to leave Islam. He just acknowledged his pain and trusted Allah’s mercy.
Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) ﷺ was betrayed by his own brothers, thrown into a well to die, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, and imprisoned for years for a crime he didn’t commit. According to the Quranic narrative, he spent the prime years of his life locked in a dungeon.
But he never lost faith. And eventually, Allah ﷻ elevated him to rule Egypt. The test wasn’t random—it was preparation for leadership.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ lost his mother as a child. Lost his grandfather who raised him. Lost his beloved wife Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her). Lost his uncle Abu Talib who protected him. Watched his companions tortured. Was boycotted, starved, and exiled. Saw his own daughter Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) struggle with poverty.
The best human to ever exist—the most beloved to Allah ﷻ—lived one of the hardest lives imaginable. Why? Because according to Islamic teachings, tests purify the soul and elevate spiritual ranks in ways that ease never could.
Why Allah ﷻ Tests You (The Real Reasons)
Islamic scholars explain that there are multiple wisdoms behind why Allah ﷻ allows suffering:
1. To Purify You From Sin
Every hardship you endure erases sins. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, as recorded in Sahih Bukhari: “No fatigue, disease, worry, sorrow, harm, or sadness afflicts a Muslim—even the prick of a thorn—except that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it.”
That chronic pain? Erasing sins. That financial stress? Wiping your record clean. That heartbreak? Purifying your soul. You might stand before Allah ﷻ on Judgment Day with a completely clean slate because of the suffering you endured with patience.
2. To Elevate Your Rank in Paradise
Not everyone enters Jannah at the same level. According to Islamic eschatology , there are levels—and the highest levels are reserved for those who endured the most with beautiful patience (sabr jameel).
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, as recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah: “When Allah wills good for His servant, He hastens his punishment in this world. When He wills evil for His servant, He withholds punishment for his sins until he comes before Him on the Day of Resurrection.”
Think about that. When Allah ﷻ tests you in this temporary life, it’s because He’s preparing you for eternal joy. When He lets someone live in ease despite their sins, that might be worse—because they’re accumulating debt that will be paid in the Hereafter.
3. To Bring You Closer to Him
Be honest: when do you feel closest to Allah ﷻ? When everything is perfect and you’re comfortable? Or when you’re broken, crying in sujood at 3 AM, begging Him for help?
According to Islamic teachings on spiritual growth, comfort makes you forget Allah ﷻ. Hardship brings you back.
Allah ﷻ says in the Quran:
[Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 186]
“And when My servants ask you concerning Me—indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.”
He’s near. Always. But you only realize how much you need Him when everything else is taken away. That’s not punishment—that’s mercy disguised as hardship.
4. To Test Your Faith
Anyone can say “I believe in Allah” when life is easy. According to Islamic teachings on trials documented at IslamQA, real faith is tested when everything falls apart.
Will you still pray when prayer seems useless? Will you still trust Him when His plan doesn’t make sense? Will you still worship Him even if He never gives you what you’re begging for?
That’s the test. And passing it means your faith is real, not just inherited or cultural.
The Quran’s Promise to Those Who Are Patient
Allah ﷻ didn’t just test you and leave you alone. He made promises—specific, beautiful promises—to those who endure hardship with patience.
According to the translation, He says:
[Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 155-157]
“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, who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.’ Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.”
Notice what He says: “We will surely test you.” It’s not a maybe. It’s guaranteed. Fear, hunger, loss of wealth, loss of loved ones—these are promised trials.
But He also promises: if you respond with sabr (patience), you get:
- Blessings from Allah ﷻ
- Mercy from Allah ﷻ
- Guidance
According to Islamic scholars, that phrase “Indeed we belong to Allah, and to Him we will return” (Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un) isn’t just something you say at funerals. It’s a complete theology of surrender: everything you have—your health, your wealth, your loved ones, your very life—belongs to Allah ﷻ. He gave it. He can take it. And you’re returning to Him anyway, so nothing in this temporary world is worth losing your faith over.
Why “Good” People Suffer and “Bad” People Prosper
This is the question that breaks people. You see someone who drinks, parties, abandons prayer—and they’re living their best life. Meanwhile, you’re struggling to pay bills, dealing with illness, or watching someone you love suffer.
Where’s the justice?
According to Islamic teachings on divine wisdom, this life isn’t where justice happens. This is the test. Justice comes on Judgment Day.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, as recorded in Sahih Muslim: “This world is a prison for the believer and Paradise for the disbeliever.”
For the believer, this world is restrictive. You have rules. You have self-control. You sacrifice desires for Allah’s pleasure. It’s hard.
For the disbeliever, this world is all they get. So Allah ﷻ lets them enjoy it. They get the promotion, the wealth, the pleasure—because this is their only reward. They’re being paid in full right now. And when they die, there’s nothing left.
But you? Your real reward is being saved for a place where you’ll never lose it.
The Test You Didn’t See Coming
Sometimes the test isn’t obvious. According to Islamic teachings on trials, Allah ﷻ doesn’t just test you with hardship—He tests you with ease too.
Wealth is a test. Will you use it for good or become arrogant?
Health is a test. Will you use your body to worship Allah ﷻ or waste it on haram?
Children are a test. Will you raise them righteously or let them grow up without guidance?
Success is a test. Will you remember Allah ﷻ when you have everything, or only when you have nothing?
The Quran, says:
[Surah Al-Anbya, Ayah 35]
“Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.”
Evil AND good. Both are tests. The question is: which one reveals your true character?
According to scholars, most people fail the test of ease. They forget Allah ﷻ when life is comfortable. They stop praying, stop caring, stop striving. And that’s why hardship is sometimes a mercy—it wakes you up before it’s too late.
How to Survive the Test Without Breaking
You’re in pain. I know. Islamic teachings aren’t asking you to pretend you’re not hurting. According to guidance from scholars, even the Prophet ﷺ cried when his loved ones died. Feeling pain is human. What matters is how you respond to it.
1. Remember This Is Temporary
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, as recorded in authentic collections: “Paradise is surrounded by hardships, and Hellfire is surrounded by desires.”
The path to Jannah goes through difficulty. That’s not punishment—that’s the route. Every moment of pain you endure with patience is a step closer to eternal comfort.
This life is maybe 70, 80, 90 years if you’re lucky. Paradise is forever. The math isn’t even close.
2. Make Dua Like Your Life Depends on It
Because it does. Allah ﷻ loves when you call on Him, especially during hardship.
He says in the Quran:
[Surah Ghafir, Ayah 60]
“And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.'”
Not “I might respond.” I will respond. The response might not be what you wanted or when you wanted it, but He responds. According to scholars, sometimes the response is:
- Yes, here’s what you asked for
- Not yet, I have better timing planned
- No, but I’m giving you something better
- I’m removing a harm you don’t even know about
- I’m saving your reward for the Hereafter where it’s worth infinitely more
Trust His response even when you can’t see it.
3. Look for the Lesson
According to Islamic teachings on wisdom in trials, every test has a purpose. Ask yourself:
- What is Allah ﷻ teaching me through this?
- What weakness in me is being exposed?
- What sin am I being protected from?
- What blessing did I take for granted that I now appreciate?
The Prophet Yusuf ﷺ was thrown in prison for years. But according to the Quran, that prison is where he developed the wisdom, humility, and leadership skills that prepared him to rule Egypt. The test wasn’t random—it was training.
4. Don’t Compare Your Test to Others
You have no idea what other people are going through behind closed doors. That person you think has a perfect life might be drowning in depression. That wealthy person might be spiritually bankrupt.
Allah ﷻ customizes tests. He knows exactly what you can handle and what will bring out the best in you. Your test is designed specifically for YOU.
5. Stay Connected to Allah ﷻ
This is the most important one. Don’t let your pain push you away from the only One who can heal you.
Keep praying even if you’re crying through salah. Keep making dua even if you feel like He’s not listening. Keep reading Quran even if you don’t understand it all.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, as recorded in Sahih Bukhari: “The supplication of any one of you will be answered so long as he is not hasty and says, ‘I made dua but it was not answered.'”
Stay consistent. Don’t give up. The moment you feel like giving up is often right before the breakthrough.
The Story That Will Give You Hope
There’s a famous story about a man who came to a scholar and complained that his life was unbearably difficult. The scholar asked him: “Do you want Allah ﷻ to choose for you, or do you want to choose for yourself?”
The man thought about it and said: “I want Allah ﷻ to choose for me.”
The scholar smiled and said: “Then accept what He’s already chosen.”
Everything happening to you right now was written before you were born. Allah ﷻ knew this test was coming. He knew you’d struggle. And He still chose it for you because He knows what you don’t: that you can handle it, and that it’s leading somewhere beautiful.
When the Test Doesn’t End
Some people reading this have been tested for years. Decades even. The pain hasn’t stopped. The dua hasn’t been answered. And you’re exhausted.
I’m not going to lie to you and say “it gets better soon.” Sometimes the test lasts your entire life. Some prophets died without seeing the fruits of their work. Some righteous people suffered until their last breath.
But here’s what matters: they stayed faithful anyway.
Prophet Zakariya ﷺ made dua for a child for decades. According to the Quran, he was old, his wife was barren, and it seemed impossible. But he kept asking. And when he was so old that having a child seemed absurd, Allah ﷻ finally answered.
The reward was worth the wait. And so will yours be.
Allah ﷻ says in the Quran:
[Surah At-Talaq, Ayah 3]
“And whoever relies upon Allah—then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.”
He will accomplish His purpose. The test has an end date that you can’t see but He’s already written. Hold on until then.
The Bottom Line
When Allah ﷻ loves you, He tests you. That’s not an Islamic cliché—it’s a divine reality confirmed in Quran and Sunnah, explained by scholars.
Your suffering isn’t proof that He hates you. It’s proof that He trusts you enough to endure it. That He sees potential in you worth refining. That He’s preparing you for something greater than you can imagine.
The prophets—the most beloved to Allah ﷻ—suffered more than anyone. And they’re now in the highest levels of Paradise, eternally comfortable, never tested again.
Your pain is temporary. Your reward is permanent. Don’t give up now.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, as recorded in Sahih Muslim: “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for all his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks, and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him.”
Either way, you win. If you’re patient.
So be patient. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep holding on.
Because the One testing you loves you more than you’ll ever comprehend. And He’s preparing a reward that will make every tear worth it.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in presenting Islamic teachings, readers are strongly advised to consult qualified Islamic scholars in their local area for specific religious rulings, detailed interpretations, and matters requiring expert guidance.