Muslim’s Trial and Illness (2) — In the Light of Hadith

A Muslim’s anxiety or hardship is an expiation of sins:

It is narrated from ‘Ali رضي الله عنه from Zayd that he asked ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها regarding the statement of Allah: if you disclose what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it, and regarding His statement: whoever commits an evil deed will be recompensed for it. ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها said: “Since I asked the Prophet ﷺ about this, no one has asked me about it.” He ﷺ said: “This is Allah’s admonition for His servant; whatever befalls a servant — fever or distress and the like — even the loss of something from his wealth that he kept in the sleeve of his garment and then feels sorrow over it, through this the servant emerges from his sins just as gold comes out purified from the furnace.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi)

It is narrated from Abu Musa رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “No servant is afflicted with any harm — minor or major — except due to sin; and the sins that Allah forgives are many.” Then he recited: whatever calamity befalls you is because of what your hands have earned, and He pardons much. (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi)

The righteous are tested more severely:

It is narrated from Sa‘d رضي الله عنه that it was asked: “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, who among people are tested most severely?” He ﷺ said: “The Prophets, then those most like them, then those most like them. A person is tested according to the strength of his religion. If he is firm in his religion, his trial is intensified; and if he is weak in his religion, his trial is lightened. The servant continues to be tested until he walks upon the earth free of sin.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi)

It is narrated from Anas رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When Allah intends good for a servant, He hastens his punishment in this world; and when He intends evil for a servant, He withholds the punishment of his sins until He gives him full recompense in the Hereafter.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi)

It is narrated from Anas رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed, the magnitude of reward corresponds to the magnitude of trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever is pleased, for him is pleasure; and whoever is displeased, for him is displeasure.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi)

It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A believing man and a believing woman continue to be afflicted in their selves, their wealth, and their children until they meet Allah with no sin upon them.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi)