As a follow up to my previous question, I wanted to ask that since Allah has the power to do everything, why do there have to be hardships and difficulties at all? Allah is so merciful and powerful; why can’t He amend the circumstances He has ordained for us in our own favour? Why does there has to be suffering at all? Why can’t He just make it work for us? My current situation has led me to a self-destructive state. I have conducted all the major sins. I don’t get this logic. I was a good man before I separated from her but now I am in a very bad state. There are other people who get what they want. Why is there a differentiation?

In this regard, the true philosophy of life should be understood. We have been created to be tested and tried as to which of us does good deeds and which among us commit bad ones. This trial has been conducted through the circumstances which we are put in. If we are put through good circumstances, then our trial is whether we remain thankful to the Almighty who gave us without asking and without our having any right. If we are put through bad circumstances, then our trial is whether we show perseverance and patience in these times or not.

Both these circumstances generally come in a person’s life. They are his real test. He cannot be given total happiness or total misery since that would make the trial profoundly difficult.

It is evident from the Qur’ān that the Almighty tests us through hardships:

1. to punish us for our own misdoings (42:30),

2. to shield us from greater misery (18:74, 18:79),

3. to sift out the evil within us (3:179),

4. to give us the opportunity to earn reward by showing patience (3:142, 76:12).

In such circumstances, it is expected that a Muslim will surrender to God’s will and always seek Him. He is our only saviour and refuge. One Whom we will never lose like our other relations; Who is always with us and Who always thinks well for us.