Why bad thinGs hapPen to go0d pe0plE..??

[hidaayah]

Why bad thing happens to good people??? In the light of Holy Quran

In the Name of God , Most Gracious, Most Merciful

"Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We
believe," without being put to the test?" [29:2]

God teaches us in the Quran that Victory belongs to the believers in
this
life and the in the Hereafter, 2:62 & 5:69. God also teaches us that
the
believers will not be left without being tested.

[29:2-3]

"Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We
believe," without being put to the test?"
We have tested those before them, for GOD must
distinguish those who are truthful, and He must expose
the liars.

[3:179]

GOD is not to leave the believers as you are, without
distinguishing the bad from the good……

[2:214]

Do you expect to enter Paradise without being tested like
those before you?……..

While this article's title talks about BAD things that may happen to
good people, I need to remind the reader that our definition of what is
bad can be totally wrong as we cannot see what God sees. It is actually
the short sighted people and those who are not true submitters who make
a quick judgment that what happened to someone is bad (or good for this
regard). It has been proven frequently that what seems to be bad in our
eyes turned to be a blessing to that person and vice verse. The test
was actually given as much to those who witness what is happening and
make rush judgment and fail their test while the person who seems to
receive the "bad" incident had enriched his soul and progressed and
counted with the winners.

[2:216] ............. But you may dislike something which is good for
you, and you may like something which is bad for you. GOD knows while
you do not know.

In this article I m mainly discussing the testing of the believers.
When bad things happen to someone it is usually one of two things, either
a punishment or a test,(4:79, 42:30, 3:165). The disbelievers may not
be punished in this life and allowed to transgress for a while to
accumulate more sins and prepare for their humiliating defeat in the
Hereafter. The believers on the other hand may be punished quickly in this life
to bring them back to the right path, give them the chance to repent
and correct what wrong they may have done. What seems to be a punishment
for us or the people around us may just be a test to polish our
qualities, expose our weakness and give us a chance to work on it and correct
it, and also to see if we belong to those lucky ones who will
steadfastly persevere while submitting to God ALONE and accepting His judgment
in this life and in the Hereafter.. Throughout the Quran God gives a
special rank in Heaven for those who steadfastly persevere, (2:54, 2!
:153, 2:155, 2:177, 2:249, 2:250, 3:17, 3:142, 3:146, 3:186, 3:200,
4:25, 7:126, 8:46, 8:66, 10:109, 11:11,11:49, 11:115, 12:90, 13:22,
13:24, 16:42, 16:96, 16:110, 16:126, 16:127, 18:28, 20:130, 21:85,
22:35, 23:111, 25:75, 28:54, 28:80, 29:59, 30:60, 31:17, 32:24, 33:35,
38:17, 38:44, 39:10, 40:55, 40:77, 41:35, 42:43, 46:35, 47:31, 76:12,
90:17, 103:3) . Remember that people do not steadfastly persevere on
good life, good health, good wealth, victory, happy times, but they do
it for an adversity and/or lack of any of the above. We have to
remember that death is not by itself a punishment as all of us will die, but
death of someone can be a punishment or a test for the living others to
see how they can accept God's judgment and submit to Him in the good
times and in the bad times, under all circumstances. Those who go through
their test while steadfastly persevere are the most fortunate
believers, they are the lucky ones despite their difficulties in this li!
fe and their perseverance in face of all the ignorant ones who do not
understand God's system.

[41:35] None can attain this except those who steadfastly persevere.
None can attain this except those who are extremely fortunate.

The Test


Testing the believers will vary. It may be mild and light or hard and
exacting.
Sickness, fear, hunger, poverty, death, loss of power or control,
losing a battle,
failing an examination, failing a marriage, failing a business, losing
a job or a
friend…etc. are just few examples. Testing may also be in the form of
blessings,
wealth, health, knowledge, children, family, security, peace…etc. What
to do
with these blessings is a great test. The test may also be given, by
testing us by
one another. The true believers submit to God in all cases and under
all
circumstances.


[2:155]

We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and
loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the
steadfast.


[8:28]

You should know that your money and your children are a
test, and that GOD possesses a great recompense.


[3:186]

You will certainly be tested, through your money and your lives,
and you will hear from those who received the scripture, and form
idol worshippers, a lot of insult. If you steadfastly persevere and
lead a righteous life, this will prove the strength of your faith.


Who will be tested ?


The Quran shows us that all the believers will be tested, prophets,
messengers,
saints, righteous people, all will be tested.

[47:31]

We will certainly put you to the test, in order to
distinguish those among you who strive, and steadfastly
persevere. We must expose your true qualities.


Abraham, the prophet, who was called God’s friend was put to an
exacting test.

[2:124]

Recall that Abraham was put to the test by his Lord,
through certain commands, and he fulfilled them….


[37:105-106]

"You (Abraham) have believed the dream." We thus reward the
righteous. That was an exacting test indeed.


Adam and Eve, were put to the test several times including expulsion
from
Heaven, and may have lived through the loss of their righteous son.
Noah lost his son twice, first lost him as a disbeliever but still loved
him, then lost him to the flood while calling on God to save him.
The prophet Muhammed lost his only born son (Ibrahim) as all historical
accounts mentions and was very saddened by it. Muhammed spent a great
deal of his life struggling with the disbelievers going from one war to
another. Exposed to killings, wounding, loss of friends and loved ones,
he was truely tested. God could have won him the wars while Muhammed
staying home enjoying a peaceful life of a prophet. Noah, Abraham, Lot,
Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Solomon, Jesus, John, Job, Jonah, and Muhammed,
were all given different and difficult tests.


[38:34]

"We thus put Solomon to the test; we blessed him with vast material
wealth,
but he steadfastly submitted."


[38:41]

Remember our servant Job: he called upon his Lord, "The devil has
afflicted
me with hardship and pain."


The believers were tested to the maximum until shaken up.


[2:214]

Do you expect to enter Paradise without being tested like
those before you? They were tested with hardship and
adversity, and were shaken up, until the messenger and
those who believed with him said, "Where is GOD's
victory?" GOD's victory is near.


When ?


Since this is a test, we would not know when, where or what kind of
test we
might be given. We do not make the choice, God does. He is the
Almighty,
Most Gracious, Most Merciful.


Testing the believers. Expose the hypocrites


While God is testing the believers, He is also exposing the hypocrites
and confusing
the disbelievers and leading them on in their transgression,
blundering. They do not
understand God’s system and think they are right when they are dead
wrong. God
gave us their example in the Quran when He talked about the Battle of
the Parties
in 33:9-12, and about the hypocrites in 9:50-51. See also 3:118-120,
and 22:11


[33:9-12]

"O you who believe, remember GOD's blessing upon you; when
soldiers attacked you, we sent upon them violent wind and
invisible soldiers. GOD is Seer of everything you do.
When they came from above you, and from beneath you, your
eyes were terrified, your hearts ran out of patience, and
you harbored unbefitting thoughts about GOD.
That is when the believers were truly tested; they were
severely shaken up.
The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts
said, "What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more
than an illusion!" "


But what did the true believers say ?

[33:22]

When the true believers saw the parties (ready to attack), they said,
"This is
what GOD and His messenger have promised us, and GOD and His messenger
are truthful." This (dangerous situation) only strengthened their faith
and
augmented their submission.


What should the Believers do?


[9:51]

Say, "Nothing happens to us, except what GOD has decreed for us. He is
our
Lord and Master. In GOD the believers shall trust."

[2:156]

"When an affliction befalls them, they say, "We belong to God, and
to Him we are returning."

In face of adversity or hardship, the true believers are expected to
submit. We
are being tested to see if we are truly submitters or not, whether we
submit to
God during the bad times and the good times or not. God gave us the
correct solution in
His book, the Quran. Submitting to God, means to accept whatever God
has given
us or taken away from us, to steadfastly persevere and to wait for
God’s victory.
In practical terms, let us put it in steps;

Whenever an adversity or hardship afflict a believer, he/she should:

(1) Should not panic. God does test the believers and if He is
punishing us, it is to get our attention to correct something wrong we did. He
is helping us out instead of leaving us in the dark. Since we asked for
our freedom, He gave it to us and it is up to us to correct any wrong
doing on our own, He only points things to us and we freely chose.

(2) Check to see if he/she has got off the right path. Is he/she still
worshipping
God alone and following His book. Correct your path and stay with God
alone,
if you were not.

(3) Submit to God, by accepting what happened to you without objecting.
See 2:155-157

(4) Implore God to remove the hardship or adversity. God wants us to
implore
Him. Do not rush an answer. God runs everything. See 40:60

(5) Steadfastly persevere, see 2:153, 2:45, 90:17, 2:177 and103:3 and
this is the
greatest trait of the true believers. God promised those who
steadfastly persevere
great recompense. See 41:35, 23:111, 22:35, 31:17 and 2:155-157.

(6) believe that God’s promise is the truth and that victory belongs to
the believers,
but you have to pass your test. Victory is in the way. God’s victory is
near.
See 30:47, 30:60, 2:155 and 2:214

(7) There are two kinds of victories according to the Quran, victory in
this life and the bigger and most important victory in the Hereafter.
God has promised the believers both victories. Some of these victories
my be in disguise and not apparent to other people. Other victories are
obvious and clear. The true believer can identify many victories in
his/her life even during the most difficult times or the time of testing.
Of the many victories that the believers will see in this life, finding
the right path and accepting God alone is the most important one. The
believers accept whichever victory or testing comes their way, and
always strive to achieve the eternal victory in the Hereafter.
9:50-52


With the help of God and the assurance in the Quran, the true believers
will make
the best out of their test or punishment and wait for God’s victory.
They are absolutely sure that God’s Victory is near and that God’s
victory is their reward.


Praise be to God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Verses from the Quran references


[2:45] You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact
Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent,

[2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians,
and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in
the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their
recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

[ 2:153] O you who believe, seek help through steadfastness and the
Contact Prayers (Salat). GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.

[2:155-157]

We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money,
lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast. When an affliction
befalls them, they say, "We belong to GOD, and to Him we are returning."
These have deserved blessings from their Lord and mercy. These are the
guided ones.

[ 2:177] Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or
the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the
angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money,
cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the
beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers
(Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word
whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the
face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are
the righteous

[2:214] Do you expect to enter Paradise without being tested like those
before you? They were tested with hardship and adversity, and were
shaken up, until the messenger and those who believed with him said, "Where
is GOD's victory?" GOD's victory is near.

[3:118-120] O you who believe, do not befriend outsiders who never
cease to wish you harm; they even wish to see you suffer. Hatred flows out
of their mouths and what they hide in their chests is far worse. We
thus clarify the revelations for you, if you understand.

Here you are loving them, while they do not love you, and you believe
in all the scripture. When they meet you they say, "We believe," but as
soon as they leave, they bite their fingers out of rage towards you.
Say, "Die in your rage." GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.

When anything good comes your way they hurt, and when something bad
happens to you they rejoice. If you steadfastly persevere, and maintain
righteousness, their schemes will never hurt you. GOD is fully aware of
everything they do.

[9:50-52] If something good happens to you, they hurt, and if an
affliction befalls you, they say, "We told you so," as they turn away
rejoicing.

Say, "Nothing happens to us, except what GOD has decreed for us. He is
our Lord and Master. In GOD the believers shall trust."

Say, "You can only expect for us one of two good things (victory or
martyrdom), while we expect for you condemnation from GOD and retribution
from Him, or at our hands. Therefore, wait, and we will wait along with
you."


[9:50-52] If something good happens to you, they hurt, and if an
affliction befalls you, they say, "We told you so," as they turn away
rejoicing.

Say, "Nothing happens to us, except what GOD has decreed for us. He is
our Lord and Master. In GOD the believers shall trust."

Say, "You can only expect for us one of two good things (victory or
martyrdom), while we expect for you condemnation from GOD and retribution
from Him, or at our hands. Therefore, wait, and we will wait along with
you."

[22:11] Among the people there is the one who worships GOD
conditionally. If things go his way, he is content. But if some adversity befalls
him, he makes an about-face. Thus, he loses both this life and the
Hereafter. Such is the real loss.

[22:35] They are the ones whose hearts tremble upon mentioning GOD,
they steadfastly persevere during adversity, they observe the Contact
Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.

[23:111] "I have rewarded them today, in return for their
steadfastness, by making them the winners."

[30:47] We have sent messengers before you to their people, with
profound signs. Subsequently, we punished those who transgressed. It is our
duty that we grant victory to the believers.

[30:60] Therefore, you shall steadfastly persevere - for GOD's promise
is the truth - and do not be intimidated by those who have not attained
certainty.

[31:17] "O my son, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat). You
shall advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and remain steadfast in
the face of adversity. These are
the most honorable traits.

[40:60] Your Lord says, "Implore Me, and I will respond to you. Surely,
those who are too arrogant to worship Me will enter Gehenna, forcibly."

[41:35] None can attain this except those who steadfastly persevere.
None can attain this except those who are extremely fortunate.

[ 90:17] And being one of those who believe, and exhorting one another
to be steadfast, and exhorting one another to be kind.