Allah may He be praised and exalted, provided us with deep reflections on human life and relationships in the Quran. A particularly profound example is found in Surah Al-Furqan (25:20), where Allah says:
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلَّآ إِنَّهُمْ لَيَأْكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشُونَ فِى ٱلْأَسْوَاقِ ۗ وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍۢ فِتْنَةً أَتَصْبِرُونَ ۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِيرًۭا ٢٠
We never sent any messenger before you ˹O Prophet˺, who did not eat food and go about in market-places. We have made some of you a trial for others. Will you ˹not then˺ be patient? And your Lord is All-Seeing.
Al-Furqan 25:20
One of the key lessons we can take away from this verse is that every individual, group, or circumstance is a test (fitnah) for others, and vice versa. The nature of these tests varies, but the underlying purpose remains: to examine our character, patience, and submission to Allah’s will.
The Context of the Verse
In this verse, Allah addresses the Prophets, acknowledging that they are tests for their people and their people are tests for them. Prophets endured rejection, ridicule, and hostility, and in response, they were commanded to exercise patience. For example, when the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) faced the crude behaviour, he said:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَسَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قِسْمَةً، فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَرَادَ مُحَمَّدٌ بِهَذَا وَجْهَ اللَّهِ. فَأَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ، فَتَمَعَّرَ وَجْهُهُ وَقَالَ “ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ مُوسَى، لَقَدْ أُوذِيَ بِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ هَذَا فَصَبَرَ ”.
Narrated Ibn Mas`ud: Once Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) divided and distributed (the war booty). An Ansar man said, “By Allah ! Muhammad, by this distribution, did not intend to please Allah.” So I came to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and informed him about it whereupon his face became changed with anger and he said, “May Allah bestow His Mercy on Moses for he was hurt with more than this, yet he remained patient.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 6059
This reflection demonstrates how even the best of humanity found solace in remembering the trials of others, using them as motivation to exhibit patience and perseverance.
Tests Between Different Groups of People
Life is a series of interdependent tests designed by Allah. These tests come in various forms and often involve our interactions with different groups of people. Here are some examples that highlight how we serve as trials for one another:
- The Wealthy and the Poor: Those blessed with wealth are tested by how they earn and spend their resources. Are their means halal, and do they fulfill the rights of the needy? On the other hand, those facing financial hardships are tested in their patience and trust in Allah’s provision.
- The Powerful and the Governed: Leaders are entrusted with the responsibility of ruling justly and upholding their duties. Their test lies in their ability to be fair and just. Meanwhile, those who are governed are tested in their respect for authority and their response to any injustices they may face.
- Men and Women: Both genders are tests for one another, especially in controlling desires and fulfilling mutual rights. This dynamic encourages us to support and respect each other in our respective roles.
- Parents and Children: Some couples face the test of desiring children but being unable to have them, which requires immense patience and trust in Allah’s wisdom. For those blessed with children, parents are challenged with raising them with love, discipline, and faith. This is a significant responsibility that requires patience and wisdom. Children, in turn, are tested in how they treat their parents, particularly as they grow older and may need more care and respect.
This emphasises that life’s trials are comprehensive: what may be a blessing for one person could be a test for another. For instance, having children is a trial, but so is being childless. The presence or absence of a blessing is equally a means of testing faith.
Navigating Life’s Tests with Patience (Sabr)
After reflecting on how we are tests for others, we now focus on how to navigate the tests that others impose on us—whether they are from loved ones, strangers, or the world at large. Patience (sabr) is the key to overcoming these tests, and it manifests in three ways:
- Acceptance of Allah’s Decree: Believers must accept that Allah’s wisdom governs all aspects of life. If someone else has more wealth, beauty, or success, it is Allah’s test for them, just as our circumstances are tailored tests for us.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، وَأَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ” انْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ وَلاَ تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ فَوْقَكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ أَجْدَرُ أَنْ لاَ تَزْدَرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ ” . قَالَ أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ ” عَلَيْكُمْ ” .
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Look at those who are beneath you and do not look at those who are above you, for it is more suitable that you should not consider as less the blessing of Allah.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 4142
- Avoidance of Evil: Trials often tempt individuals towards jealousy, greed, or wrongdoing. Resisting these urges is a sign of faith and trust in Allah.
- Persistence in Good Deeds: Despite challenges, believers must remain steadfast in worship and righteousness. Allah rewards those who persevere:
قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌۭ ۗ وَأَرْضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٰسِعَةٌ ۗ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍۢ ١٠
Say ˹O Prophet, that Allah says˺, “O My servants who believe! Be mindful of your Lord. Those who do good in this world will have a good reward. And Allah’s earth is spacious. Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit.”
Az-Zumar 39:10
By recognising these tests and practicing patience in its various forms, we can strive to support one another and grow together in our journey of faith.
A Reminder Against Comparisons
One of the biggest traps in life’s tests is comparing oneself to others. We often assume that wealth, beauty, or status brings happiness, but appearances can be deceiving. The Prophet (ﷺ) warned against envy and dissatisfaction, teaching that true contentment lies in trusting Allah’s wisdom:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي خَالِدٍ، عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ “ لاَ حَسَدَ إِلاَّ فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ رَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ مَالاً فَسَلَّطَهُ عَلَى هَلَكَتِهِ فِي الْحَقِّ وَرَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ حِكْمَةً فَهُوَ يَقْضِي بِهَا وَيُعَلِّمُهَا ” .
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There is no (permissible) envy except in two cases: A man whom Allah has given wealth and caused him to dispose of it in a proper manner, and a man to whom Allah has given wisdom, and he acts in accordance with it and teaches it (to others).”
Sunan Ibn Majah 4208
Conclusion
Allah’s design ensures that life is a continuous test of faith, patience, and gratitude. Recognising that we are both testers and tested allows us to approach life with awareness. Instead of resenting trials, we should view them as opportunities for growth and a means to draw closer to Allah.
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ١٥٥
We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure—
Al-Baqarah 2:155
In every trial, the question remains: will we respond with patience and trust in Allah, or will we falter? May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to pass the tests of this life and attain His pleasure in the Hereafter.
