Mufti Menk – How are we tested?

			My brothers and sisters, if Allah has taken something away from you, it's not a sign that he is
upset with you. And if Allah has given you something, it is not necessarily a sign that he is
pleased with you. Allah subhanho wa Taala sometimes takes away things from us because He loves us.
And sometimes he gives us certain things as a test for us. Sometimes it is just before the
punishment comes that Allah gives someone so much and they become confused, thinking Allah is happy
with me, my brothers and sisters, what we need to know is, it all depends on your relationship with
Allah. If you are trying your best, if you're seeking forgiveness, Allah says I will never punish
		

			you while you are seeking forgiveness. So one of the ways of diverting punishment is to seek the
forgiveness of Allah subhanho wa Taala. In that case, he says he will not punish those who are
seeking His forgiveness while they are seeking forgiveness. They're engaging in such a great act of
worship, that the punishment of Allah stops. But remember, if you are developing your relationship
with Allah subhanho wa Taala, you are trying and you have tried to fulfill your obligation, stay
away from the prohibitions. Then if Allah were to take something away from you, it is a blessing.
And if Allah were to give you something, it is a blessing as well. Because your relationship with
		

			him is good. You're trying. It's all about trying, my brothers and sisters, none of us will achieve
perfection. We were created as human beings, and we're not perfect. The Prophet Muhammad peace be
upon him was perfect. The messengers of Allah Subhana Allah to Allah May peace be upon them, we're
on a different level. But you and I, we are just ordinary human beings Subhana Allah, we will not be
able to achieve that perfection. Our duty is to keep trying. That's it. If you are trying you will
achieve the pleasure of Allah. When you are trying with Allah, you must be confident that anything
that happens in your direction that comes in your direction that happens to you, while you are
		

			trying can never be a punishment of Allah. It is only a test sometimes. It is a blessing that you
don't recognize right now. But you will in the near future. It's Allah's way of touching our lives.
But when a person is far from Allah, not bothered about Allah turned away from Allah, never trying
anything, nothing makes them regret. In that case, Allah says when we've given them, it may just be
the prelude to the punishment. When we've taken away from them. It may just be a punishment. May
Allah subhanho wa Taala protect us all