Why Do Good People Suffer? Islamic Answer
Assalamu Alaykum
One of the most common questions is one that remains a debate among people, and everyone has different points of view. It has been a debate for years: why, after all, does Allah give bad times to good people? Or why do they face more troubles, hardships, and oppression in their life compared to others? We must have noticed many times that, compared to good people, bad people are living a good life and living in great luxury. These are the few things that create doubts in the hearts of many people. For this very reason, we have seen that no matter which religion people belong to, they all feel a sense of resentment and detachment toward their own faith. We will explore this. We are not concerned with other religions; we will understand from the Islamic view what the reason for this actually is. First of all, let me tell you that Islam does not ignore these questions and provides answers for them. So, today, through this article, we will understand the reasons behind this from the Quran and Hadith.
NUMBER 1: THIS WORLD IS A TEST, NOT A REWARD.
Allah has told us that the worldly life is merely a test. It does not matter what religion a person follows; whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim, Allah tests everyone. He tests some through hardships and others by giving them ease and luxury. Allah said:
“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested?” (Quran 29:2)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“When Allah desires good for someone, He tries him with hardships.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
So you can see how Allah tests every one of His servants in different ways—some with hardship and others with wealth and luxury.
NUMBER 2: SUFFERING IS A SIGN OF ALLAH'S LOVE.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ says that those whom Allah loves, He tests the most.
“When Allah loves a servant, He tests him.” (Tirmidhi)
This might be difficult for some people to understand. However, understand this much: Allah only tests those whom He loves the most or those whom He favors. For some people who are poor, Allah blesses them with wealth and luxury to see how they utilize that wealth. Or, He takes away wealth from the rich to see if His servant will worship Allah during hard times just as he did before.
So, be patient and seek help from Allah during these difficult times. Allah does not test those with whom He is displeased; He gives a "free hand" to those who are on the wrong path so they can live however they want in this world. Their luxury is limited only to this world. Understand that this world is just a test and everything in it will perish one day. But what is received in the Hereafter is eternal and will never end.
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NUMBER 3: PROPHETS WERE TESTED AS WELL.
Hazrat Ayub عليه السلام:
The greatest example of this is Hazrat Ayub عليه السلام. For those who do not know, Allah tested Hazrat Ayub عليه السلام. Satan challenged Allah, saying that if Allah took away Ayub’s wealth, lands, children, and health, Ayub would stop worshipping Him and express resentment. Allah told Satan that Ayub was among His righteous servants and would never do such a thing. Allah then tested Hazrat Ayub عليه السلام by taking everything away. But the Prophet of God remained patient, viewed it as a trial, and remained content with the Will of Allah. When he passed this trial perfectly, Allah restored everything back to him.
Hazrat Yusuf and Hazrat Yaqub عليه السلام:
Who can forget the story of Hazrat Yusuf عليه السلام and Hazrat Yaqub عليه السلام? When the brothers of Hazrat Yusuf عليه السلام conspired to throw him into a well and returned to their father, Hazrat Yaqub عليه السلام, with a blood-stained shirt. Hazrat Yusuf عليه السلام endured many hardships and difficulties in the well and in prison. On the other hand, Hazrat Yaqub عليه السلام spent years waiting in the grief of separation from his son. This was all a test from Allah. Both passed, after which Allah made Hazrat Yusuf عليه السلام the King of Egypt and reunited Hazrat Yaqub عليه السلام with his son.
There are many other Prophets and Messengers whom Allah tested, including Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Hazrat Ibrahim عليه السلام, Hazrat Musa عليه السلام, Hazrat Isa عليه السلام, and Hazrat Nuh عليه السلام.
NUMBER 4: SUFFERING ERASES SINS.
Islam teaches us that when a person undergoes a trial or a difficult period, Allah Ta'ala forgives their sins. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“No fatigue, illness, anxiety, sorrow, harm, or distress befalls a Muslim—even the prick of a thorn—except that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Every human commits sins. When Allah tests someone and they go through a hard time, their sins are forgiven. Allah settles the account in this world so that there will be no punishment in the Hereafter. Truly, Allah is most Generous and Merciful.
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NUMBER 5: RAISING A PERSON'S RANK IN JANNAH.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that when Allah wants to raise a person's status but that person does not have enough good deeds to reach it, Allah puts them through a trial. By going through these hardships, not only are their sins forgiven, but if they succeed by being patient and keeping faith in Allah, their rank is elevated.
“If Allah has decreed a high status for a servant that he cannot reach through his deeds, He tests him in his body or wealth.” (Ahmad)
This proves that the worldly life is nothing. When others in Jannah see the high status someone has achieved, they will wish that Allah had tested them similarly and taken everything from them so they could have achieved that same rank.
NUMBER 6: SUFFERING BUILDS PATIENCE AND BRINGS A PERSON CLOSER TO ALLAH.
When Allah tests you and you go through a hard time, it has two more benefits: it develops patience, humility, and character within you. Allah loves those who are patient. Allah has said repeatedly in the Quran:
“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure.” (Quran 39:10)
Secondly, the servant maintains a stronger connection with his Creator and becomes closer to Him. Another reason for a trial is that if Allah sees a servant drifting away or falling into the wrong path, He sends hardship to bring that person back to Him. This causes the person to reconnect with Allah. We should maintain this connection, worship Allah, and walk the straight path.
NUMBER 7: ULTIMATE JUSTICE IN THE HEREAFTER.
Know that this world is temporary and we all must return to our Lord one day. Never think that you have been treated unjustly, because Allah will never let that happen. The hardships, troubles, and oppression you endure in this world will bring a massive reward in the Hereafter. If you truly believe in the Day of Judgment and Allah's justice, you will never express resentment and will act with patience. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“On the Day of Judgment, the people who suffered the most in the world will wish that their skins had been cut with scissors when they see the reward.” (Tirmidhi)
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CONCLUSION
So this was about trials—why Allah tests people and why good people face hardships. In the end, I just want to say that the world is only for a few years. If a person is born, how long will he/she live? At most 100 years. I say 100 as a maximum because very few people live that long. Understand that the world is a test and the Day of Judgment is the result day. We already know what "pass" and "fail" mean. So, during a period of trial, choose patience. Worship Allah and seek help only from Him. Trust in Allah and His mercy. Insha’Allah, these days will also pass, and days of mercy will soon arrive. Allah has kept a great prize for good people in the Hereafter, where we must live forever. As for the bad people you see living in luxury, understand that only their worldly life is good. In the Hereafter, there will be no one to save them. When Allah sends His punishment upon them, they will have no helper. Neither their wealth, nor their bungalows, nor their servants, nor the security that protected them in this world will be there to save them.
That is all for today. We will meet on a new topic next. Take care of yourself and your family. May Allah forgive all our sins and accept our supplications. Ameen.
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