Imâm Abdul-Azeez bin
Baaz رحمه الله
was asked:
'If someone is afflicted with an illness or a
trial in one’s self or wealth, how can he know if this affliction is a test or a
wrath from Allaah سُبحانه
وتعالى?'
He رحمه الله replied: Allaah سُبحانه
وتعالى tries His servants with prosperity
and adversity, and with hardship and ease, and He may try them with that to
elevate their ranks and to raise high their fame and to multiply their good
deeds like He سُبحانه وتعالى does
with the Prophets and Messengers and the righteous ones from His servants.
The Prophet صلّى
اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:
“People who are
tried most severely are the Prophets, then those who are like them then those
who are like them”
[Graded authentic
by Al-Albaani in Saheehul-Jaami’ no. 993]
And sometimes Allaah سُبحانه
وتعالى does that [i.e. trying His servants]
because of sins and disobedience, so the punishment is hastened as He سُبحانه
وتعالى said:
وَمَا
أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ
'And whatever of
misfortune that befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And
He pardons much.'
[Ash-Shuraa 42:30]