Shaykh Salih-Al Uthaymeen رَحِمَهُ الله:
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
The author conveys from Anas Bin Malik (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“When Allah desires goodness for His servant, He expedites the punishment for his sins in this worldly life. And when He intends bad for His servant, He delays the consequences of his sins until he stands before Him on the Day of Judgment.”
Grade: Hasan (Darussalam)
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2396]
All affairs rest within Allah’s control and are governed by His decree. This is affirmed by Allah’s description of Himself:
فَعَّالٌۭ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ ١٦
(He is the) Doer of whatsoever He intends (or wills).
[Surah Buruj Verse 16]
And He says:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۩ ١٨
“Verily, Allâh does what He wills.“
[Surah Hajj Verse 18]
All matters are in Allah’s hands, and no person is without mistakes, sins, or shortcomings.When Allah intends good for His servant, He expedites their punishment in this life, whether through their wealth, family, personal circumstances, or connections.
In any case, the punishment is hastened, as it serves to expiate sins. So, if Allah quickens the punishments for His servant and thereby expiates their sins, they will meet Allah without any sins, as their difficulties and trials have purified them. It may even make death more challenging for them, with only one or two sins remaining until they depart this world completely cleansed. This is a blessing, as the punishment in this world is easier than that in the hereafter.
However, if Allah intends evil for His servant, He gives them respite and surrounds them with worldly comforts, shielding them from hardships, until they become arrogant – seeking refuge in Allah – and indulge in reprehensible behaviour due to Allah’s blessings upon them. Then, while they are in this state, they meet their Lord amid their sins, and thus, they are punished for them in the hereafter.
– May Allah forgive us. So, if you see a person openly disobedient to Allah, yet protected from hardships and surrounded by blessings, know that Allah intends evil for them. Why? Because Allah delayed their punishment so that He can deliver it to them on the Day of Judgment.
Then he (The Author) mentioned in this Hadith:
“The magnitude of the reward goes along with the magnitude of the affliction.”
Reference: : [Mishkat al-Masabih 1566]
‘Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, And it is Hasan according to Albani’
Essentially, the greater the hardship, the greater the reward. When faced with severe trials, the reward bestowed by Allah is immense, reflecting His abundant mercy. Conversely, lesser trials result in smaller rewards. Allah’s generosity knows no bounds, and He rewards mankind according to the severity of their tests. Thus, severe hardships yield tremendous rewards, while easier trials result in lesser rewards.
“Verily if Allah loves a people he will put them to a test, so whoever is pleased (with Allah’s decree), Allah is pleased with him, and whoever is angry, will receives Allah’s anger.”
This serves as a reassuring message for believers. When faced with hardship, one should not perceive it as a sign of Allah’s displeasure; rather, it may indicate Allah’s love for His servant. Through trials, Allah tests His servants, and if one responds with patience and seeks reward from Allah, it pleases Him. Conversely, responding with anger invites Allah’s displeasure. Therefore, it’s an encouragement for individuals to endure hardships with patience, knowing that Allah’s pleasure awaits those who persevere.
Ahlul-Hadith 