Why did God test His Prophets?

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Why did God test His Prophets?
Anonymous
07/04/01 at 20:10:02
I'm confused :( why were they tested if they were the
'chosen' ones to convey His message to mankind? God would already know these
were the perfect individuals for this task, so why should they be
tested? In fact, did any Prophet fail the test?
Re: Why did God test His Prophets?
sarah
07/04/01 at 21:42:36
assalaamu 'alaikum,

[quote]I'm confused :( why were they tested if they were the
'chosen' ones to convey His message to mankind?
[/quote]

they were also examples for us right? ... so when they are tested and they struggle through difficulties because of their devotion to Allah swt always remaining firm in faith and steadfast in relying on Allah, that is a lesson for us. i think this was the purpose of their test... as examples to mankind

[quote]In fact, did any Prophet fail the test?
[/quote]

hmmm... prophet Adam pbuh failed the test initially, because he disobeyed Allah, right?  but he regreted it and asked Allah swt to forgive him, and he was forgiven. an example to us of what to do when we make mistakes. it also shows the mercifulness of Allah.

sarah

Re: Why did God test His Prophets?
jannah
07/04/01 at 23:15:01
[quote]I'm confused :( why were they tested if they were the
'chosen' ones to convey His message to mankind? God would already know these
were the perfect individuals for this task, so why should they be
tested? In fact, did any Prophet fail the test?
[/quote]

great questions!

the way i see it, prophets are also human beings. they too will be judged on the day of judgement like everyone else. Allah has sent a prophet to every peoples, these prophets chosen for various wisdoms among their own people to lead them back to guidance.

as to why test them, why does Allah test any of us. He already knows who will enter into Jannah and who into Jahannam right? but we still have to live through our lives and make our choices so we won't be able to deny anything on the day of J. plus so many ppl can say, 'yes I'm a Muslim I believe'...but do they really? what if there are two people that say that but under some duress like peer pressure one of them sins and one of them does not. are they the same in being good muslims?

1.5 billion ppl on this planet say they're muslim but who lives it? who practices it? who when tested pulls through on their principles?

Allah says in the Quran:
2.214 Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of Bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? they encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: "When (will come) the help of Allah." Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!


So this verse talks about how even the prophet [saw] and his followers had to be tested. Sometimes through trials and hardships people's true character and ideals come out. Like when a person is given a shock like when told something very bad happenned...what's their first reaction? Is it to be angry at God or to be patient and say "inna lillah wa inna ilaihi rajeoon"..

There's also an interesting hadith where Aisha asks the prophet [saw] why he stands up every night in prayer until even his feet are swollen and bleeding when God already had forgiven him past and future?  he of course gave his famous reply, 'shouldn't I then be a thankful servant?' Who when told they are forgiven everything would have this same response?

This is the same prophet that had gone through so many hardships in life. Can you imagine anyone growing up as an orphan without a mother or father, losing your beloved uncle who protected you your whole life and your wife of 25 years, having all of your 6 children except 1 die within your lifetime. AND enduring everything else that goes with prophethood.

The patience through adversity of so many prophets is truly an example for us. It is truly a test, a great one, and it is true these prophets are chosen for a wisdom.

As for if any have failed, it depends on what you mean....
There are many that were corrected during their lifetimes, like Adam (as) who ate from the forbidden tree or Yunus who gave up on his people or Yusuf who asked help from other than Allah or Musa who said he could be patient or Nuh who wanted to save his son. All of these stories teach us so much.


Did any prophet have no followers? Allahu alam I do know that Nuh spent 950 years trying to guide his people and only gained a handful of followers. Many prophet's peoples were destroyed for their arrogance and unbelief.

BTW A good book to read about prophet's stories is Ibn Kathir's Stories of the Prophets.

So why did God test His Prophets in short...why does God test us?
What's even more interesting is that we learn what's right and wrong through a test of a prophet and may even be tested with that, go figure ;)







Re: Why did God test His Prophets?
Anonymous
08/09/01 at 01:40:14
One thing we have to clarify is that in this world, everyone
including the prophets are subject to be put on the trial. This is the
Sunnah of Allah. And just as poverty is a trial, prosperity is also a
trial. I heard that there is a saying in chinese, when someone wants to
curse you, they would say "  may the good times come to you." This is
to acknowledge a well known fact that for a thousand that can overcome
adversity, one will overcome prosperity.

Now the argument that prophets are perfect so they need not to be tried
is a faulty one. It has been said that they are human too just like us.
I will add that they are also belivers and they have to prove it.

We read" Say: "Nay! but I (Abraham) am commanded to  be the first of
those who bow to Allah. (6:14)

and also, " I (muhammad) am commanded to be the first of those who bow
to God in Islam" (39:11-12)

Now reading these two verses, we see that the prophets were commanded
to be muslims first before they preach to people and ask them to become
muslims. To be the first of the muslims "awwlal muslimeen" does not
have any cronological connotation and we should not ask; was muhammad the
first muslim or was Ibraheem the first muslim?

So the prophets first task was to be belivers themselves. Musa (AS)
says "I turn to thee repentant, and I am the first of believers" (7:143)

And so what follows then is: "Alif Laam Meem, Do people think that they
will be left alone because they say, "We believe, and will not be
tested. And we indeed tested those who
were before them. And Allah will certainly make "it" known [the truth}
of those who are true, and will be certainly make "it" known {the
falsehood of} those who are lairs, {although Allah knows all that before
putting them to test}} 29:1-3


Another aspect of trial that I want to shed light on is the fact that
trial is not a negative thing, devorced from "being perfect". Infact
trial makes perfect. Ibrahim was tested in his youth: The unbelievers
throwing him in a huge fire.
And he was tested again in his elderly age and after a very long life
of righteousness he was Commanded Prophet Abraham to slaughter his only
son. The command was revealed in a dream to slaughter his only son by
his own hands. This was indeed escalation in testing because a person in
old age will be more concerned with his offspring especially if he has
only one (at that time) after a long life of prayers and absolute
Submission to Allah.

Thus we see, that it was only after passing this test that Allah
elevates Ibrahim(AS) to even a higer standard:

"And remember that Abraham was Tried by His Lord with Certain Commands,
which he fulfilled: He Said: I Will Make you (Abraham) an Imam to the
people."

And lastly, "sabr" is an essential part of being perfect. And how can
one have the virtue of patience without trial? "Surely the patient will
be paid their wages in full without reckoning." [39:10]. This is why
the prophets prefered trial. The Prophet said: Some of the prophets
before me were tested with poverty and lice. They preferred that trial to
gifts." [Narrated by al-Hakim.]

Those of us who try to emulate the prophets will and love them dearly,
will take the advise of the prophet to heart.  Once when a man stood up
in the masjid and shouted, Oh Rasullulah I love you. The messenger of
Allah replied to him, "prepare for poverty."
NS
Re: Why did God test His Prophets?
Barr
08/10/01 at 01:21:36
Assalamu'alaikum :-)

I think a lot has been said.. but I'd like to share and extend upon certain points made, inshaAllah.

[quote]hmmm... prophet Adam pbuh failed the test initially, because he disobeyed Allah, right?  but he regreted it and asked Allah swt to forgive him, and he was forgiven. an example to us of what to do when we make mistakes. it also shows the mercifulness of Allah.[/quote]

Another point about being tested, as mentioned in previous posts, is that it is a period of tarbiyah for us. We would only be able to have a better grasp of comprehension and a stronger development, when we experience something itself. I think there's a quote somewhere which says that leaders are only produced in battlefields - for that is where the real test is... REALITY itself.

Why then, did Allah place Adam (a.s) in Jannah, when his work is on earth?

As much as Allah has taught names to Adam (ie. theory), Jannah is also a place for tarbiyah for him. Would Adam had known the the same extent of the Benevolence of Allah, the Mercy of Allah, should he be sent straightaway to earth to do his job?

Yes, the fruit (khuldi?) is forbidden, but it is a test for him, to know Allah's forgiveness... What we think to be "failures" of Allah's tests may not necessarily be likeso. For, it is when we are able to finally realise, know and acknowledge our weaknesses and put a step forward, then, I think failure is a great misnomer, here.

Allah does not test His prophets out of His whims and fancies (though He has every right to do so, of course!), but He loves us, and He tests us to strengthen us, and for us to discover ourselves, and Him.

And why shouldn't He extend the same love to those people whom He loves whom He has entrusted the great job of Messengership?

To us, it is a lesson, to further strive, and to know that whatever tests that Allah gives us, none can match the tests that Allah gives His prophets. For it is certainly an honour that He chose us, to go through the tests for us to be closer to Him. And He has certainly done that to His prophets.

Perfection belongs to Allah
Wallahua'lam :-)

 
Re: Why did God test His Prophets?
sarah
08/10/01 at 09:18:55

Assalamy Alaykum,

[quote]Allah does not test His prophets out of His whims and fancies (though He has every right to do so, of course!), but He loves us, and He tests us to strengthen us, and for us to discover ourselves, and Him.[/quote]

Well put sis!  This is so true...  


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