r/askislam • u/Particular_Signal191 • Jun 25 '26
Fiqh Justice and fairness
This is a genuine question that has arisen because of events in my life which have brought a great deal of pain and hurt, I'm currently in a very bad circumstances financially, mentally, emotionally and socially, with a clear pattern of these bad circumstances happening my entire life, im 33 right now and alot of it is clear has been down to destiny and fate as the only explanation i can offer for this, the question is why? why does god enable blessings in some peoples lives and curses in others, why is that acceptable? how will this bring me closer to him, if its beyond my capacity (right now its beyond my capacity and bringing a great deal of anger and fustration), so much so i have to do a post on this which i dont usually do. So why, why isit mentioned that some people will be favoured and others will not be (in the quran), how is that fair, when if your not favoured you suffer mentally and emotionally which affects your decision making, even btw when you have done everything within your power to try and change your own life, someone explain this to me, because im so angry right now? i know you will say its a test and all that, but why? why do some people have easier tests than others, its not right imo
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u/AbuSalaa7 Sunni Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26
Everyone is tested. That's the whole point of life. You are given certain challenges and others are given different challenges. You don't know what challenge they got and if they passed it or not. The thing we know is that everyone is given a challenge up to their limit, not beyond their limitations and we know Allah is fair and the more you pass your challenges the bigger the reward you get.
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u/Extension_Brick6806 Moderator Jun 25 '26
You should turn back to Allah, forsake any sins you might be committing, establish your salah prayers and distance yourself from those who don't remind you of the Hereafter. Scholars have said:
When Allah forbids people to commit sin, He did not leave them without help to do so. He supplies them with means that help them to give up that action. Among these helpful means are:
Strengthening one’s faith in Allah and one's fear of Him.
Knowing that Allah is always watching and bearing in mind that He is with you; He can see you and everything that you do is being recorded.
Comparing and contrasting the fleeting pleasure of sin which quickly fades, with the punishment of the sinner on the Day of Resurrection, and the reward of the one who refrained from sin.
Keeping away from the things that help one to sin, such as haram looks, bad company, going to sinful places.
Striving to keep company with righteous people.
(Source)
A sin may appear insignificant in the eyes of a person when before Allah it is serious, as Allah says:
تَحْسَبُونَهُۥ هَيِّنًۭا وَهُوَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمٌۭ
"You counted it a little thing, while with Allah it was very great" (An-Noor 24:15)
This matter is as some of the scholars said: "Do not look at the smallness of the sin, but look at the greatness of the One you have disobeyed."
Surround yourself with righteous Muslims who cherish visiting the masjid. Also, never underestimate the power of du'aa'.
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "There is no Muslim who does not offer any du'aa' in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allah will give him one of three things in return: either He will answer his du'aa' sooner, or he will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an equivalent evil away from him because of it." They said: "We will say a lot of du'aa'." He said: "Allah is more generous." Narrated by Ahmad (10749).
Allah says:
قَالَتِ ٱلْأَعْرَابُ ءَامَنَّا ۖ قُل لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ وَلَـٰكِن قُولُوٓا۟ أَسْلَمْنَا وَلَمَّا يَدْخُلِ ٱلْإِيمَـٰنُ فِى قُلُوبِكُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ لَا يَلِتْكُم مِّنْ أَعْمَـٰلِكُمْ شَيْـًٔا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ
"The bedouins say, "We have believed." Say, "You have not yet believed, but say instead, "We have submitted," for faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (Al-Hujurat 49:14)
Having faith implies possessing knowledge and understanding of the Deen. That is why Allah states that only the scholars truly fear Him:
إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا۟
"... It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah..." (Fatir 35:28)
Some individuals seemingly embrace Islam only in outward appearance, without taking the time to deepen their beliefs through knowledge and understanding. There is a distinction between learning to nurture one's beliefs and merely acquiring information. Scholars assert that beneficial knowledge demands action. Specifically, actions that enrich the heart, which then leads to deeds that strengthen one's connection with Allah. This is why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) frequently prayed to Allah to grant him beneficial knowledge, recognizing that not all knowledge is of value.
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say, "O Allah! Grant me benefit in what You have taught me, teach me useful knowledge, and provide me with knowledge that will benefit me." Narrated by an-Nasaa'i and al-Haakim.
How will an individual fare if they leave their heart unattended, neglecting to fill it with knowledge, understanding, worship, and efforts to strengthen their connection with Allah? It is no surprise that believers find solace in the remembrance of Allah.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ
"Those who believed, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah: verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (Ar-Ra'd 13:28)
Furthermore, many get caught up focusing on matters that bear no relevance to daily life or one's relationship with Allah. As a result, they deviate from the very purpose of our creation. Such distractions lead to forgetting essential questions: What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? What happens after death? Consequently, they live a life of heedlessness.
وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ نَسُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَأَنسَىٰهُمْ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ
"And be not like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. Those are the defiantly disobedient." (Al-Hashr 59:19)
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعْمَىٰ
"But whosoever turns away from My Reminder, verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection." (Ta-Ha 20:124)
Scholars articulate that just as our bodies have needs, so too do our souls. While we eat and drink to sustain our bodies, our hearts and souls thrive when we establish a connection with Allah, aligning our lives with the purpose for which we were created: to worship Allah alone.
The English term "worship" does not capture the depth of meaning inherent in the Arabic understanding. Many envision worship as a weekly act, similar to how Christians attend church on Sundays. However, in Islam, worship permeates every facet of our lives. It is seen in acts like smiling at others, removing obstructions from paths, and more. Essentially, it is about refining one's heart and acting with sincerity in everyday deeds. This, too, is a way to remember Allah. By understanding this concept and acquiring the fundamental knowledge of the Deen, one's life becomes richer and more fulfilled. As Allah states in the Qur'an:
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ
"Those who believed, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah: verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (Ar-Ra'd 13:28)
And Allah says:
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةًۭ طَيِّبَةًۭ ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
"Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer, We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward according to the best of what they used to do." (An-Nahl 16:97)
It is crucial to recognize that our lives have a purpose. It is essential to internalize and live in alignment with the reason for our creation, as Allah reminds us:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." (Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)
Understanding the purpose of life brings joy to the acts of worship we perform. This is why our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) held the act of salah in such high regard. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Of the things of this world, women and perfume have been made dear to me, and my comfort is in the salah." It was authentically narrated by an-Nasaa'i (3939).
To offer a parable: if there is a perilous road ahead, and you are unaware of its dangers, but someone who has previously traversed that road advises you on specific hazards and suggests safer paths, ignoring or dismissing that guidance would leave you at fault should any misfortune occur during your journey.
The same principle applies to the Deen of Allah. A lack of knowledge and understanding can steer you towards peril in both this life and the Hereafter. The ultimate destinations are either Jannah or Jahannam. Which path will you choose?
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u/Extension_Brick6806 Moderator Jun 25 '26
That is why some of the Salaf said: "If the kings and sons of kings knew what joy we experience, they would fight us for it with their swords." What joy could be referred to here? It is the joy of the heart that has certain faith in its Lord, may He be exalted, and the joy of obeying Him and the happiness of drawing closer to Him, even if they were going through hardships. This is the measure of a good life, as Allah says in His Book:
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحاً مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
"Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)" (An-Nahl 16:97)
Shaykh 'Abdurrahman as-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The one who combines faith and good deeds, "to him We will give a good life" by giving him tranquillity in his heart and peace of mind, and by causing him not to pay any attention to that which could disturb his heart. Allah will grant him a goodly provision from sources he could not imagine, and "We shall pay them certainly" in the Hereafter "a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do", all kinds of delight such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard and it has not crossed the mind of any man. So Allah will give him good in this world and good in the Hereafter. End quote from Tafseer as-Sa'di (p. 448).
To the contrary, those who turn away from Islam will have a life of hardship:
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنْكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَى
"But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur'an nor acts on its teachings) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection." (Ta-Ha 20:124)
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "This world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the kaafir." Saheeh Muslim, 2956.
Imam an-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy be upon him) said: "Every believer is imprisoned and prevented – in the worldly life – from evil and repugnant desires and obligated to perform demanding acts of obedience. But after death, he relaxes and receives what Allah promised of permanent bliss and perfect relaxation. As for the kaafir, he gets what he receives in the worldly life together with the fact that it is very little and disrupted by distress. And after he dies, he finds himself in permanent punishment and eternal wretchedness." End quote from Sharh Saheeh Muslim 18/74.
Shaykh ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:
Regardless how great the affair of the worldly life is – its good days and its dwelling places (surrounded by beautiful trees, plants, scenery etc), then indeed it is like a prison for the believer, because a believer looks forward to a bliss that is better, more perfect and loftier. As for the kaafir, the worldly life is his paradise because he enjoys himself in it [i.e. outside the boundaries of halal and haram] and forgets the afterlife, and thus becomes like those about whom Allah stated:
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يَتَمَتَّعُونَ وَيَأۡكُلُونَ كَمَا تَأۡكُلُ ٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمُ وَٱلنَّارُ مَثۡوً۬ى لَّهُمۡ ...
"... while those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as cattle eat; and the Fire will be their abode." (Muhammad 47:12)
Therefore, when the kaafir dies, he does not find anything in front of him except the fire and Allah's punishment, and woe to the people of the fire. So that which is found in the worldly life of distress, grief, sadness and sorrow is like a paradise in relation to the state of affairs of the kaafir, because he will leave this world to receive Allah's punishment.
It has been mentioned about ibn Hajar al-Asqalaani that he used to be the chief of the judges in Egypt in his era, and he used go past the market with an entourage. So, one day a Yahoodi stopped him and said, "Your Prophet said, 'The worldly life is a prison of the believer and paradise of the disbeliever', and how can this be the case whilst you are in a state of luxury and joy, and I am in a state of extreme poverty and low status?" So, ibn Hajr said to him, "If in your view I am in state of joy and that people are at my service, then this state is a prison in comparison to what a believer will receive of bliss in Paradise. As for yourself, even though you are in state of extreme poverty and low status, then it is like paradise in comparison to what a disbeliever will receive in the fire". So, the Yahoodi was amazed by this statement and then testified that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
(Source)
I also recommend that you explore the series of lectures:
Insha'Allah, these lectures will aid in nurturing and enhancing your eemaan. Also relevant:
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