Test or punishment

format_quote Originally Posted by Ann Onn

How can we recognize the difference between a test from Allah and a punishment from Allah?
It has been months and I feel like I am constantly drowning. I spend a lot of time crying to Allah and asking Him for help. I know we should not be hasty in receiving our answers but I physically and mentally cannot go on. It has been months. I have never felt so trapped in my own body. It feels like a curse. I feel like I want my life to end (I would not attempt anything stupid, its just the way I feel) Life has lost all joy. Everyday I make so much dua with such depths of my heart and such force that it feels like im trying to move a mountain. I drags and push myself through everyday and the effort is draining me. I was and star student at my university but I’m failing every subject now. I was ambitious an girl, had dreams, wanted a good career, but I want none of that anymore.
I do realize that I may have conducted some deeds that may not be very big for other people, but in the eyes of Allah, they could have been sins. So is He punishing me for them? Or is He testing me? I keep praying to Him and asking Him for forgiveness. I’ve changed some of my ways to please Him. I’ve sworn myself of certain acts that would infuriate Him. I’ve done everything I can.
If He is testing me, I’m doing my best to keep my faith firm. But sometimes no answer, NONE whatsoever, from Him puts me in despair.
And if He is punishing me, will I continue to suffer? Or will I ever be happy again?
My screams of despair all night should’ve shaken the skies. I cannot continue drowning in this sea of depression and anxiety. Allah is the only one who can save me so why won’t He?

A-Salamo Alaikom Sister

I will try to answer according to what I know and according to my language so excuse me if I use a bad english

How can we recognize the difference between a test from Allah and a punishment from Allah?

In my opinion it's difficult to determine if it's a test or punishment, all you should know is:

Muslim Life is betwen two cases :

1. Allah will give you a state of being well, healthy, contented, days of happiness and success etc in RESULT you should Thank HIM
OR
2. Allah will give you unfavourable or unfortunate conditions, event or circumstances; trouble, calamity, disaster; misfortune, affliction in Result you must be bear patiently ; be endure ; be forbearing ; be persevere

And the two cases are tests

In the first Allah test your thanks to His grace
In the second Allah test your patience on the pain; suffering; distress

In your situation Sister you should thnak Allah and be patient, why?

Because He has guided you to believe in him, And will never abandon you as long as you get close to him
Because what the believer feels of pain cleanses him of sins

Remember that God responds to prayer at a time that he sees perfect and not at the time that we see perfect

why you feel depression and anxiety? because of your sins? we all have sins and you should believe in Allah that he will erase them all, simply because he is The God who erases all our sins



Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is! If you do not commit sins, Allah would replace you with a people who would commit sins and seek forgiveness from Allah; and Allah will certainly forgive them."

[Muslim].

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah, the Exalted, has said: 'O son of adam, I forgive you as long as you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness, whatever sins you have committed. O son of 'Adam, I do not care if your sins reach the height of the heaven, then you ask for my forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of 'Adam, if you come to Me with an earth load of sins, and meet Me associating nothing to Me, I would match it with an earthload of forgiveness."'

[At- Tirmidhi].

quran surah al baqarah 153 in english translation
sahih international
(2:153) O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.


لاإله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين
La ila ha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minazzalimeen
Translation: None has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah)), Glorified (and Exalted) are You (above all that (evil) they associate with You). Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers.
a little advice my sister, try to say these words as much as possible, you will see the result incha allah
لاإله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين
La ila ha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minazzalimeen
لاإله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين
La ila ha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minazzalimeen
لاإله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين
La ila ha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minazzalimeen
As much as you can

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And I strongly advise you to search and read The Story of Prophet Younus and the Dua for Distress
Here is a link I found on the web:
http://www.iqrasense.com/stories-of-...-distress.html

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do not disturb you are on the right path

A-Salamo Alaykom