Trials of the Prophets

Through the narratives of the prophets in the Quran, Allah imparts the profound teachings of Islam in a manner that is both memorable and relatable. 

If we have a look at some of the stories within the Qur'an there are many. 

- The story of Prophet Dawud (David) and the trial of justice which is related in surah Sad 38. When two angels posing as men came to the Prophet Dawud to test him:

"Fear not we are two adversaries, one who has wronged the other, so judge between us with truth and do not exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path." (38:22)

"Indeed this, my brother, has ninety-nine ewes and I have one ewe; so he said, 'Entrust her to me,' and he overpowered me in speech. [Dawud] said, 'he has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and few are they.' And Dawud became certain that We had tried him, and he asked for forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allah]. (38:23-24)

Prophet Dawud promptly concurred without hearing the other side of the argument and declared it an act injustice. However...

"So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return. [We said], 'O Dawud, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah.' Indeed those who go astray from the way pf Allah will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the Day of Account." (38:25-26)

The lesson here is to uphold justice and consider both sides of an argument, regardless of how persuasive one side may appear. Muslims, we are commanded to be just, even if it requires us to stand against close members, ourselves or to support a believer over a believer. The Prophets were swift in repenting to Allah, even though they did not sin in the true sense of the word. They aspired to perfection, and any shortcoming in achieving that led them to forgiveness from the One who is Perfect, most Forgiving.

- The son of Prophet Dawud, Prophet Sulaiman (peace be upon them). Allah blessed him with the ability to understand animals and control the jinn and the wind. The test of Prophet Sulaiman was in the wealth which he had been given. He had a love for horses:

"[Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses. And he said, 'Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until [i.e., the sun] disappeared into the curtain [of darkness]."

(Quran. 38: 31-32)

Prophet Sulaiman was transfixed on the horses that he missed his asr prayer, not deliberately and  when he had realised he turned to Allah seeking His forgiveness.

"He said, 'My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower."

(Quran. 38:37)

In spite of the wealth Sulaiman had, he never forgot where it came from and was humble always turning to Allah. The trial Solomon demonstrates that the common perception among many Muslims, that wealth itself is inherently bad, incorrect. Rather, it is love of wealth, and when that love for wealth exceeds the love of Allah and distracts us from Him, that it problematic. Additionally, we learn that seeking the good of this world is not inherently wrong.

- The story of Prophet Ayyub (Job) and his trials of illness and suffering. He suffered from  a bad illness and had lost many of is children. but beyond all the suffering he turned to Allah and made a dua', which Allah cured him from his illness and restored to him his family over time, due to him turning Allah and being patient, SubhanAllah!

"And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, 'Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment.'" (Quran. 38:41)

"And [mention] Job [Ayyub], when he called to his Lord, 'Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you the Most Merciful of the Merciful." (Quran. 21:83)

"So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with as mercy from Us and reminder for the worshippers [of Allah]." (Quran. 21:84)

In this is the lesson of patience, and that patience ultimately pays a good reward, and expiates for our sins. And in spite of the fact that the trials of Solomon and Ayyub (Job) differed greatly, Allah said with regard to Ayyub something similar to what He said regarding Sulaiman:

" Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah]." (Quran. 38:44)

"Most certainly the patient will be given their rewards without any account." (Quran. 39:10)

- Prophet Adam peace be upon him, his story is a common one in the Quran. when Adam was tempted by Satan to eat the forbidden fruit which resulted in him being expelled from Paradise.

In surah Sad, Allah exclusively narrates the conversation between Himself and Satan, wherein Satan supplicates to Allah for respite until the Day of Judgment and exhibits his arrogance.

"[Allāh] said, "Then get out of it [i.e., Paradise], for indeed, you are expelled. And indeed, upon you is My curse until the Day of Recompense." He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected." [Allāh] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprieved Until the Day of the time well-known."

(Quran. 38:77-81)

Thereafter, he to lead humanity astray through temptation. Satan's role is to adorn everything that Allah has deemed haram, making it appear alluring to us.  Among the countless fruits of Paradise, he made one fruit appealing to Adam, the lesson derived is that temptations to sin originate from Satan, and we must seek refuge in Allah to avoid falling into snares.

Moreover, it is to recognize that there are numerous halal alternatives to that Satan tempts us to pursue, we must stay vigilant to the whispers and seek refuge when you become aware of them.

- The story of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) begins with a dream he shared with his father, who advised him to keep it secret. However, his brothers learned of it and, out of jealousy, plotted against him. They cast him into a well, from which he was sold into slavery. Later, he was wrongfully imprisoned and remained forgotten for many years.

He endured significant traumas at the hands of his own family. Did he hold a grudge against them? did he punish his brothers? No, he forgave them and helped them to come to Eygpt. Locked away for many years he held onto hope, hoping that one day he would be released, one day he would be reunited with his family again.

In the story of Yusuf (as), his father, Yaqub (as), mourns the disappearance of his son. The other sons of Yaqub (as) are concerned that he may be overwhelmed by his grief. Yaqub (as) wept until he became blind from grief. However, when Yusuf (as) is reunited with him, his sight is miraculously recovered. This story highlights the profound impact our emotional and mental well-being can have on our physical health.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was under great afflictions due to the rejection he faced by his own family, his own tribe of Quraysh and his own uncle Lahab. the betrayals he faced from his family, same as Prophet Yusuf (as).

But they all never gave up on Allah. They put their trust in Allah and this is something we need to do. We alone can't overcome obstacles in our life, we have to rely on Allah to see us through difficult periods in our lives. 

PUT IN THE EFFORT AND RELY ON ALLAH, PRAY, MAKE DUA AND HAVE SABR!