Are All Mistakes and Negligence Tests from God?

Not every affliction is a divine test. Alongside trials, there are also afflictions that serve as punishment and arise from people’s intentions and deeds.

Trials are like an immense examination in which everyone takes part. The level, nature and severity of each person’s test are determined by their rank and circumstances.

In the initial tests, particular afflictions establish people’s standing; in later stages and examinations, their higher degrees become clear.

محمد : 31 و لنبلونکم حتى نعلم المجاهدین منکم و الصابرین و نبلوا أخبارکم

“We will certainly test you, so that We may make known which of you are true strivers and steadfast, and test your reports.”

البقره : 155 و لنبلونکم بشی‏ء من الخوف و الجوع و نقص من الأموال و الأنفس و الثمرات و بشر الصابرین

“We will certainly test you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth, lives and crops. And give glad tidings to those who remain steadfast.”

Yet some hardships are the consequence of people’s own deeds, for which they must bear the cost in this worldly life. When met with a good response, repentance and turning back to God, the very hardship that afflicts them can become an opportunity to make amends, recover their station of servitude to God, and attain higher degrees.

النجم : 39 و أن لیس للإنسان إلا ما سعى‏

“And that each person will have only what they have striven for,”

النازعات : 35 یوم یتذکر الإنسان ما سعى‏

“the Day when a person will remember what they strove for,”

الروم : 41 ظهر الفساد فی البر و البحر بما کسبت أیدی الناس لیذیقهم بعض الذی عملوا لعلهم یرجعون

“Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what people’s hands have wrought. He lets them taste some of what they have done, so that perhaps they will return [to the right path].”

الشورى : 30 و ما أصابکم من مصیبه فبما کسبت أیدیکم و یعفوا عن کثیر

“Whatever affliction befalls you is because of what your own hands have earned; yet He pardons much.”