how can we know?

[CosmicPathos]

How can we know if someone's physical suffering in this world is a sign of trial for him or a punishment and a sign of eternall punishment to come in Hereafter?

I heard again and again that it depends on how that person acts after such a trial, if he begs to Allah for forgiveness that it was a trial that he succeeded, and if he does not then it very well could be a sign of eternal punishment to come.

What about a person whom this suffering renders literally mentally insane by complete destruction and edema of frontal lobe? Such a person cannot repent no more after the affliction. Can we then imagine the suffering to be a sign of punishment for him to come in future? What if we know from his healthy past life that he committed some grievous sins, can we then look back and say "ooh he committed that sin, and hence God is punishing him?"

I need answers to this.

salam

 

[aadil77]

:wa:

It takes a long and hard self evaluation to know. Sometimes you might not even know where you're going wrong but you should get signs that should make you more aware. If its a trial, you shouldn't feel any guilt and instead feel content that you will be rewarded for your perseverance.

People can judge but only Allah knows