Why do some Muslims face Trials, Earthquakes and Murder?

Why do some Muslims face Trials, Earthquakes and Murder?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: ” أُمَّتِي هَذِهِ أُمَّةٌ  مَرْحُومَةٌ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا عَذَابٌ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابُهَا فِي الدُّنْيَا: الْفِتَنُ وَالزَّلَازِلُ وَالْقَتْلُ “

Abu Musa (Radi Allahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “This nation of mine is a nation which is shown mercy. They have no punishment in the next life. In fact, their punishment is in this world by way of; trials, earthquakes, and being killed.[1]

Benefits for this subject:

  • This hadith and others similar in meaning show the superiority of this Ummah.[2]

  • This nation of mine… refers to those who follow the complete methodology of the Prophet (ﷺ) as legislated. They do what he commands. This includes wajid and sunnah. They avoid everything he has prohibited and stay away from all things which are disliked. [3]

  • This nation of mine is one nation which is shown mercy…This refers to most of the Muslim nation and not each and every one of them. This is supported by the hadith that establish the intercession. Some people will be punished then removed from the Fire and then allowed to enter Jannah.[4]

  • one nation which is shown mercy… This implies that the Muslims are shown mercy than the previous nations; as their Prophet was mercy to all of the worlds. For that reason, he’s been called, “The Prophet of Mercy.”

  • They have no punishment…They won’t face severe punishment.

  • no punishment in the next life…Most of their punishment in this world is on account of their actions, by way of trials, illnesses, and other calamities. Allah said. “ whosoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof.”[4:123}

  • In fact, their punishment is in this world by way of, trials, earthquakes, and being killed…which serve as a expiation for sins as long as they aren’t committing Shirk.[5]

  • This hadith caused some confusion in the past whereas some people believed it was evidence that no Muslim would be punished as a result of his bad deeds. On the contrary, whoever is a sinner and evildoer, whom Allah hasn’t forgiven will be punished. However, in this life he will face trials and difficulties which expiate his wrongdoing. This is the evident meaning of the hadith.

  • This hadith doesn’t mean that every Muslim is safe from the punishment of the fire. There are numerous authentic hadith which mention sinners will enter the fire and be removed from it due to intercession.

  • In summary, this hadith applies to the Muslims who die in trials, earthquakes, and are killed unjustly that they won’t face their destruction in the next life.[6]

  • This hadith’s meaning agrees with the hadith collected by At-Tirmithi. “When Allah wants good for his slave, He hastens his punishment in the world.[7]

Prepared by

Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle

Doha,QA

[1] Sunan Abu Dawud 4278 graded as being Sahih by Al-albani

[2] Tanweer Sharhul Jami’ Saghir by Al-Amir As-Sana’I  vol 3/pg 239

[3] Explanation of Mishkah, by At-Tibee vol 11, pg 3399

[4] بذل الماعون في فضل الطاعون” ص (127)/ Ibn hajr

[5] Maraqatul Mafatih by Al-Mubarakfuri vol 8/3372

[6] Explanation of Sunnan Abu Dawud by Shaykh Abdul Muhsin al-Abbad

[7] 2396, graded by imam At-Tirmith 2396