Please can you tell me whether everything in this life is according to taqdeer or are we punished for bad deeds and rewarded for good. Or are the bad things that happen merely tests? May Allah reward you.
Allah Ta’ala says, ‘Do people think that they will say we have faith and
they will be left alone and not tested.’ (29:2)
‘And Certainly We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of
wealth, lives and fruits. But give glad tidings to the As-sabirin (the
patient ones) who: when afflicted with calamities say, Truly: To Allah we
belong and truly to Him we shall return.’ (Baqarah)
‘And whatever misfortunes mefalls you, it is because of what your hands have
earned.’ (42:30)
‘Problems have appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of man
have earned (bad deeds) that Allah may make them taste a part of that which
they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and
begging his pardon).
In view of the abovementioned verses, it is understood that adverse
conditions that come upon man are a test for some and a punishment for
others. Patience should be exercised by those having firm faith when faced
with a difficulty. For most definitely, it is test which in turn will be a
means of attaining reward and proximity to Allah. In an event where a person
has erred by disobeying Allah, then trials and tribulations are a punishment
in order that he revert to Allah through the medium of Tawbah (repentance).
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.