Why does Allah test us?
The Qurʾan itself asks and answers: Did you think you would be left without being tested? The classical scholars wrote extensively on the purposes — distinguishing, purifying, elevating — that tests serve.
10 passages from 9 books in the library
Allah tests the believer to distinguish, purify, and elevate them, and the Qurʾan itself poses the question — "Did you think you would be left without being tested?" In his Book of Patience and Gratitude, al-Ghazali frames suffering as something to be endured with hope from Allah, reminding the believer that earthly hardship is light beside the suffering of the Hereafter. He observes that the one who endured the most hardship in this world may, on being asked, recall no hardship at all once entered into reward. Trials thus refine the servant and turn the heart toward what endures.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 9 books by Imam al-Ghazali, Ibn Battuta, and Ibn Kathir — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
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"If you are suffering, they are suffering as you are suffering, but you hope from Allah"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"dominate their heart. Hence, the servant should either endure suffering or witness suffering."
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"others' suffering without remembering the suffering of the Hereafter. The thirsty remember"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"relishes it, then falls ill with prolonged suffering and pain, losing hair and suffering"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"suffering from an eye ailment, are you eating dates while suffering from an eye ailment?"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"The seventh impediment is if she is a slave and the groom is free and capable of marrying a free woman, or is not fearful of hardship."
14th century · Tangier, Morocco
The Riḥlah — a 30-year, 75,000-mile journey across three continents, and the most important travel account of the pre-modern world.
More on Ibn Battuta →
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"This was a fateful decision, part of the divine decree to afflict the people of the East with hardship and misery."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
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"He then asked her about their living conditions, and she replied, We live in hardship and difficulty."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"someone suffering from heat with meat, despite its warmth, which may seem odd to those with limited"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"comfort? And he will reply, no. Conversely, the person who experienced the most hardship in worldly"
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