Omar Suleiman – Is Allah Punishing Me

			Alright, we begin by praising Allah subhanaw taala. And bearing witness that nun has the right to be
worshipped or unconditionally obeyed except for him. And we bear witness that Muhammad sallallahu
alayhi wa Salam is his final messenger, we ask Allah to send his peace and blessings upon him, the
prophets and messengers that came before him, his family and companions that served alongside him,
and those that follow in his busted path until the day of judgment. And we ask Allah to make us
amongst them, Allah him, I mean, their brothers and sisters, when a person is being tested, there
are often a few questions that come to their mind that can potentially compound the pain of that
		

			trial or that test. You know, one of the things that they talk about is the need for closure. And
the need for closure, is in multiple ways. In one way a person needs to feel like they can see the
end of that trial, within their own lifetime or within sight. On the other hand, it's also a form of
closure to be able to come to terms with why or why not, you know, and what, what, what the purpose
of is this and what purpose it serves in my life, is it bringing me closer to Allah subhanaw taala?
Is this happening to me because of something that I've done? And when you're in the midst of a
trial, it's a lot harder to grapple with those questions. When it's so much easier to give that
		

			advice to someone else, when they're in it, you know, we grow up our whole lives reciting sort of
Aloha, you understand the idea of a burden that is at some point lifted, but when you're in the
midst of a trial, there are certain elements that can really bring all of those concepts into
question, and cause you to question yourself, amongst them is the idea of Allah punishing me because
of something that I might have done. And that usually comes when there is some sort of prolonged
nature to this test or trial, or when the trial comes when I feel like I was at the best state of my
faith? You know, I feel like this was a time when I was doing everything, right. And that's when
		

			this all came, or trials come, you know, in succession. And that's usually the way that it works.
One hits you and then the next one hits you in the next one hits you, you start asking these
questions like What have I done? What what did I do for this to happen? Is there some sort of
punishment that is behind this? Is it some sort of disobedience that I have committed? And the
question that I get asked multiple times is, how do I know if I'm passing the test? And this is
really where I want to focus on in sha Allah to Allah towards the end of this Holtville? How do I
know if I'm passing the test? I know I'm being tested. It's very obvious right now, how do I know if
		

			I'm passing this test from Allah subhanho Jad? Now, first and foremost, I want to cover this concept
from the perspective of punishment, the reason being, because we have to actually ask the question,
Does Allah subhanaw taala punish people in this life for their deeds? Is this the place where
punishment takes place you read about nations of the past that were destroyed, but we know that this
is not the norm of how Allah subhanaw taala deals with nations post what we read about of those
destroyed nations in the past. Overall, there is a loss of Baraka, there's a loss of blessing, there
could be destruction that comes upon a people of tyranny. And we know that tyranny provokes
		

			destruction in the long run, but at the same time, you don't see the immediacy that you hear about
in the stories in the Quran. And so there are a few caveats. Number one, Allah subhanaw taala says,
No, you won't be Mikasa boo. Muhammad had Allah subhanaw taala called them to account for what they
have earned and then surely he would have hastened their punishment, of course is inserted calf,
which we read every Friday. If Allah was going to call them to account for what they had done, he
would have said
		

			Certainly hasten their punishments. What does that mean? Can you imagine the nature of our
relationship with Allah subhanaw taala if we immediately faced consequences for our sins, believe or
disbelieve, or whatever it may be, you know, if every single time you commit a sin, something bad
happens to you, like you're wearing a device that shocks you with pain, every single time you commit
a sin, but it doesn't work that way. Because instead, Allah subhanaw taala delays you and gives you
a chance to be reminded and to repent, and to actually turn that sin into a good deed because of sin
that you repent from will ultimately show up in your book on the day of judgment as a good deed. And
		

			Allah azza wa jal says, this is for everyone. Whenever you ask the law NASA below me him not Tanaka.
I lay him in daba tin Well, I can use a hero Hamidah agilan was sunnah Allah Subhana Allah says, if
Allah were to seize mankind, for their wrongdoing for their transgressions, He would not leave on
it's a single moving creature, meaning there would not be a single creature on earth, that would be
able to survive that because we all slip sometimes no one would survive that type of relationship
with Allah subhanaw taala in this life, none of us would get past that. But instead ALLAH SubhanA wa
Tada says, He postpones them. They either judge at home, instead of your own, ascertain whether
		

			you're stuck with the moon. And when their term comes to a conclusion, they cannot delay it for a
single moment, nor can they bring it forward, when the time comes for that reward. And for that
punishment, there is no way that you can move it forward. And there is no way that you can delay it.
So this is the first thing that Allah Azza uncovers in the nature of this relationship, that it's
for your benefits, that there isn't an immediate consequence or reward for your deeds.
		

			That would completely defeat the purpose of the test of this world as a whole. If things happen with
immediacy, right, this whole concept of belief in the unseen and another realm where the
consequences are greater and eternal, that would defeat the purpose of believing in a lord that is
unseen. All of that would go out the window. And it's truly to our benefit that we're not seized
every, every single time we commit a sin. And Allah azza wa jal says, Send us to read your home in
Haifa in the morning, this was the one that used to scare the Companions, that sometimes, in fact,
we will reel them in from places that they don't realize blessings can be a form of punishment,
		

			because a person increases and tyranny increases in sin. And what they see as a result of that is an
increase in goodness in this life. And so that, that provokes a certain type of arrogance, and
invincibility that you start to see in the tyrants in the Quran, right, that prototype that here I
am increasing in my transgression. And it seems like things are only getting better for me. And in
the process, they're actually only being reeled in to a greater punishment, because they're
increasing their share of punishment in the greater sense in the Hereafter. And why were the Sahaba
scared of this because the Sahaba lived through moments of great difficulty. They lived through
		

			moments where they didn't think they were going to survive the trials of this world, they were
persecuted, they were ambushed. They, they had their loved ones mutilated. They struggled from
poverty, they struggled through the Hijra through the migration, they live through the worst of
times, and then they got to see the glory days in this world. Allah bless them, and they were given
victory and they got to see goodness. And so who used to worry most from this is all going to toggle
the low tide on.
		

			People above them rot, Radi Allahu taala, and who you hear about these people that went through
great difficulties. And one of the things about being in great difficulty and some of us might be
able to reflect back on some of our most difficult times, as you say to yourself, you know,
		

			at least I knew at that time that I was close to Allah. Some people interpret trial the exact
opposite way. I knew at that time when I was struggling when I was going through this and that for
the sake of Allah subhanaw taala that I was enjoying a certain closeness to him. I knew where my
rank was with Allah subhanaw taala. And now, the blessings are actually confusing me. The ease of
the situation is confusing me because I don't know where I stand in that regard. So Allah says, Some
people send us the Dejal human half of the day. Yeah, and the moment they're being reeled in from a
direction that they don't expect. And subhanAllah look at the believer on the other hand, we are
		

			Zukerman, Hazel ly tested, many tequila Hajjaj Allahu Maharaja, we are so common hatred I tested,
whoever is conscious of Allah subhanaw taala. Allah will make a way out for them and provide for
them from ways they don't expect. And so they have directions of sustenance, directions of
sustenance, pathways of goodness
		

			that they may not be considering. Just as on the other hand, there could be directions of punishment
that the others are not considering. So you're not really understanding that this door of risk, this
pathway of goodness that came to you is directly tied to this, just as a person might be punished
with something that seems so good. But they don't realize that that's actually a direction of
pulling them away from ALLAH SubhanA wa Tada and to ultimately what will not be of benefit to them.
And the scholar is also mentioned here, notice that when Allah talks about the discourse of those
who are being punished with blessings,
		

			even if everything on the outside seems good,
		

			there's still the void on the inside.
		

			That actually lends itself to a tortured existence. So you see someone and you're like, why do they
have all this despite their disobedience, despite the the the horrible things that they do? Why do
they have all this goodness in this world? And what does Allah subhanaw taala say? Fela Torah gibca
and wild whom Allah Allah Domina you read Allah Who knew as zebra on behalf of Phil higher to dunya,
what does haka and Fuso home or home cafiero, las Panatela says, Do not be amused by what they have
of their wealth and of their children and things of that sort the worldly possessions that have been
given to them. That, in fact, is a means of punishment for them, because the more they're given in
		

			this life, and still not feeling a sense of fulfillment and happiness on the inside that can only
come with ima, the more frustrated and dejected they're actually getting. So it seems to be great on
the outside, the exteriors seems to be getting better and better and better. And you might just be
seeing the exterior and thinking to yourself, Wow, that seems like a great life. Why are all these
great things happening for them? This seems to be a life of glamour. And this is, of course, one of
the problems that you always see other people's blessings, but you only see your own hardships, you
don't see your blessings and their hardships, you see their blessings, and you see your own
		

			hardships, and your hardships are magnified. And their blessings, which are the ones that are
usually being put out there are masking hardships that you don't see. So Allah is saying that even
if they have the blessings of this world, and the goodness of this world, there is still punishment
in the emptiness on the inside that can only be filled with ima, and so don't envy them. Don't be
amused. And it's punishment for them in this life. And it's even worse when the soul departs from
them in that state. Right, and they have to face the consequences of their deeds, and of those
actions. So the believers on the other hand,
		

			the righteous, they're given Baraka in what they have, they're given blessing in what they have.
They always have perspective, because of the faith that is inside their hearts. Because of what is
inside the vessel, they always have perspective. I jump into the Umbrella Movement, the prophet
sighs son MC, said he said How strange and amazing is the affair of the believer. It's the emaan
that allows the believer to have perspective, they have perspective with the good that they have.
They have perspective with the hardships that they have, they use it always to propel them to be
closer to Allah subhanho to Allah, and nothing goes to waste in this life or in the next. As long as
		

			they maintain that precious provision of iman of faith. They keep it on the inside. And so
everything around them make sense. As long as they have that on the inside, not the specifics of the
decree of Allah subhanaw taala but the nature of their relationship with Allah and blessings and
trials. It all makes sense to them in that sense. The most important takeaway from this and then
I'll move on in sha Allah Tada.
		

			And I want you to remember this, this life is not doctored, haste up. This is not the realm of
accountability. This is daughter, Lana. This is the round of Deeps. This is not dotted hisab This is
daughter llama, this is not the realm in which Allah subhanaw taala alots punishments and rewards.
So when you try to read that on someone else, or on yourself, you're going to fail. This is the
realm of the test, Leah blue ACOEM ayoko us anomala. This is the realm where you're tested with what
you're going to do.
		

			And that should be your focus. So someone would say, Well, is there a framework, at least in the
deen for classifying trials? Is there some sort of framework to where I'm not completely in the dark
them? And the answer is yes. Three frames, the first frame
		

			tests that are endured because you did good.
		

			When you endure a trial, because of something noble that you did, feasts Habibollah you missed out
on something because of your insistence on your principles. You were taken advantage of because you
weren't dirty like
		

			The other person, you did not harm, you refuse to oppress you put forth something for the sake of
Allah you gave of your time of your wealth of your health, whatever it may be, for the sake of Allah
for something noble, and you endured a test in that that is the best thing that could happen to you.
Because that means Allah subhanaw taala has stored the entire reward of that for the hereafter, he's
taken the entire reward of them. And you know, that's a reward. That's not a punishment from Allah
subhanaw taala. When you are tested in the capacity of doing good when you can directly tie the
trial, to a good deed. And so I just want everyone to leave with this in particular in this first
		

			frame, never regret something you do for the sake of Allah subhanaw taala ever, ever, even if it
yields the most difficult things in this life, never regret something you do for the sake of Allah
subhana wa Tada. Not in not in relationship to him alone, or as it is, in regards to other people
don't regret your son, don't ever regret your good doing because of trial that comes in the capacity
of that is a reward from Allah subhanaw taala. Because all it means is that there's a greater reward
for you that Allah has stored for you in the hereafter. So that's frame number one, frame number two
second category of trials are tests that are directly tied to a sin. So you commit a sin, and you're
		

			tested within that sin or in a way that is directly tied to that sin. That is certainly a
punishment, just like category one is certainly a reward. That's certainly a punishment.
		

			However, that punishment could be a reminder to repent, and it turns that punishment into something
of your favor.
		

			So even then, it's not an absolute punishment, because you still have an opportunity to take it from
being a punishment to being something else. But if something happens to you in the capacity of
you're doing wrong, then of course, you take that as a punishment from Allah subhanaw taala. Of
course, you take that as a wake up call that Allah is sending you a very specific message. To leave
off that disobedience, category three is everything else, every other test the tests that you can't
directly tied to a good deed, nor can you directly tie to a sin. And that's where that test could
either be a punishment, or it could be a reward. Or it could be a reminder. And you don't know. And
		

			the only way that you can know at that point, whether it's punishment or reward is by your response,
how did you respond to it, the way that you respond to it is going to determine whether it's a
reward or a punishment. If you respond to it with obedience with good, then it's a reward. If you
respond to it with that, then it's a punishment. So it is entirely predicated on your response. And
this is the majority of the tests that come our way.
		

			It's about your response.
		

			You will not get to the specifics of the decree. But you understand the specifics of your response.
How are you going to respond to that test? And so that trial that comes to you? And so the believer,
does not focus on why Allah is testing them in this dunya. But how you're doing with the test of
Deen? It's not about how Allah is testing me in the worldly sense, how am I responding with the
revelation that he has sent to me? Now, I want to end on this because it's probably the most
important point here in sha Allah because it's very, very often missed. We know that the Prophet
slice and I'm said, A Sabra in the sadhana Talulah. You know, when people ask, How do I know if I'm
		

			passing the test, patience is at the first strike. The Scholars say this is of two types. The first
strike is the immediate response to the trial when it comes to you. But we all know that sometimes,
you know, I actually respond well in the beginning, but then I lose myself later on some trials,
they hit you, and your initial response is actually decent. It's when the test is prolonged, that
you start to fall off the path, right? Some trials and most people, right, it's the it's the first
moments where the character that you showed the response that you show is going to determine your
response all along. But I know that some of us have been through something where in the beginning it
		

			was like okay to have the love but then like when the pain of that lingered on the trial lingered on
or when I realized what has actually been lost by that loss that I encountered. It started to get
harder, right.
		

			And so the scholars say this and this is very important. When it comes to patience. With those long
trials and knowing whether or not you pass the test.
		

			Do not get tied up with the specifics of the test. However, measure your patience by your progress
and obedience to Allah subhanaw taala last simple sentence I want you to remember measure your
patients by your progress what his patients look like in the very beginning at him did
		

			La in la la, he went to LA Roger, you praise God. And you say that to him, we belong unto him, we
returned, that's a segment of Gula the long standing part of that it's not your posts online about
how you're being patient. It's not just saying and hamdulillah after that, it's whether or not there
is progress in your obedience to Allah subhana wa Tada progress in your relationship with Allah
subhanaw taala. So you trace back everything to the only criteria that you know the criteria of
obedience and disobedience. Am I becoming a better Muslim?
		

			Am I becoming a better believer as a result of this test and trial that's coming to me? Or am I
actually maintaining status quo in regards to my relationship with Allah? subhanaw taala? Are things
actually being transformed? Or am I insisting on disobedience to Allah, if you're insisting on
disobedience to Allah, the first strike of patience has already passed where you said, hamdulillah
it's not just saying 100 Allah at that point, because it was meant to be a reminder to you to
		

			go back to that criteria and measure your patience by your progress. So again, dear brothers and
sisters, I know the questioning gets to us the the need for closure gets to us don't get caught up
in the beginning. Don't get caught up in the specifics. Go back to the criteria, as one of the
scholars said that, you know, when a person
		

			commits a sin and then they cry about it, but then they go back to the same sin, so they sell high
for money. Okay, William Sahar eignet. A person who truly fears Allah subhanaw taala is not someone
who just cries and then wipes their tears Lachenal heif maniototo When you have when you have
someone Allah are they, the one who is truly a fear afraid of Allah subhanaw taala are the
consequences of that sin is the one who leaves that which is causing them to have that apprehension
in the first place. It's not about just shedding tears. It's not about just the emotional sense of
patience, the emotional sense of repentance. How do I get back to actually making progress in my
		

			journey to Allah subhanaw taala May Allah increase us in obedience and in righteousness and
goodness, with the blessings that He gives to us and with the trials, may the ease that he sends to
us be a reminder that all of those blessings come from Allah subhanaw taala and that they are there
to pursue the greatest blessing of his pleasure and entrance into His paradise. And may the
hardships that come to us in this life be a reminder that there will come a time that all that we
have in this life will be gone, and that the greatest hardship is the hardship of the hereafter. We
ask Allah Subhana Allah to Allah to grant us the best of this life and the best of the hereafter and
		

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