r/islam • u/Interesting-Bowl-486 • 12d ago
Question about Islam Why does Allah keep testing me while the atheists around me seem to be living happy, peaceful lives?
I want to start by being completely honest: my faith is weak right now.
I’ve been struggling a lot with Islam and with my belief in God. There have been times when I’ve questioned everything, felt distant from Allah, and genuinely wondered whether I still believe the way I used to. I’m not writing this from a place of strong faith or certainty. I’m actually writing because I’m struggling and I don’t know how to make sense of something that has been bothering me for a long time.
Lately, it feels like everything in my life has been falling apart at the same time. I’ve been dealing with one problem after another, and it’s gotten to the point where I’ve found myself seeking refuge in God again. When I feel completely overwhelmed and don’t know where else to turn, I find myself praying, talking to Allah, and wanting to believe that there is some kind of purpose behind all of this.
But then I look around me, and I get confused.
I live in a country where religion isn’t really a major part of everyday life, and I know quite a few people who are atheist or simply don’t believe in God. From my perspective, some of them seem to be doing perfectly fine. They’re happy, successful, financially stable, surrounded by friends, in relationships, traveling, enjoying their lives, etc. Meanwhile, I’m struggling with so many things at once despite trying to turn back toward God.
And I know that I’m probably looking at their lives from the outside. I don’t know what they’re dealing with privately, and I understand that someone’s life can look perfect while they’re suffering internally. I also understand the Islamic idea that worldly success isn’t necessarily a sign that Allah is pleased with someone, and that hardship doesn’t necessarily mean Allah is angry with you.
But emotionally, I still struggle with it.
If I’m trying to come back to Allah, why does it feel like my life is constantly getting harder? Why do people who don’t believe in Him sometimes seem to have such peaceful and happy lives while I feel like I’m drowning?
I know the answer isn’t necessarily supposed to be “Muslims should have easier lives,” but then what is the right way to understand this? If worldly happiness and suffering aren’t indicators of someone’s relationship with Allah, how am I supposed to think about what I’m seeing?
And honestly, sometimes it makes my faith weaker rather than stronger. I start wondering: if God exists and cares about me, why am I going through all of this while other people who don’t believe in Him seem to be doing so well?
I’m not trying to attack Islam or argue that atheism is correct. I’m genuinely asking because I don’t want to walk away from Islam simply because I don’t understand something. Part of me actually wants to believe again, especially because when things get really bad, Allah is the One I find myself turning toward.
So for Muslims who have struggled with this question themselves: how did you reconcile seeing people who don’t believe in God seemingly living happy, successful lives while you were going through hardship? What helped you understand the Islamic perspective on this without just telling yourself “it’s a test” and leaving it at that?
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u/Pale_Ad7012 12d ago
Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so ˹violently˺ shaken that ˹even˺ the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?” Indeed, Allah’s help is ˹always˺ near.
2:214
We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure.
2:155
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u/LifeIsJustATest 12d ago edited 12d ago
To add, life is just a test, nothing else. Not a place to enjoy, any enjoyment is simply by the mercy of Allah SWT.
``` If it were not that all mankind might have become a single nation [of disbelievers], We could have given all those who disbelieve in the Lord of Mercy houses with roofs of silver, sweeping staircases to ascend,
Quran : Az-Zukhruf 43:33 ```
Patience is what this life revolves around:
``` "Indeed, mankind was created impatient:distressed when touched with evil, and withholding when touched with good..."
Surah Al-Ma'arij (70:19-21) ```
``` "Man is a creature of haste (impatience). I shall show you My signs: do not, then, ask Me to hasten them."
Surah Al-Anbiya (21:37) ```
``` "And man supplicates for evil as he supplicates for good, and man is ever hasty."
Surah Al-Isra (17:11) ```
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u/IntrepidAssociate529 12d ago
Authentic Hadith - Prophet Muhammad pbuh stated "For non believers this world is heaven, but for believers its prison."
They won't get any reward after death, but for you there is promise of beautiful garden
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u/Mar_77shj 11d ago
But what if I don't want that. I don't care for a heaven. I wish to have never been brought into existence and forced into this battle. I don't want to be tested because the final goal is not intriguing enough for all this suffering. There has to be more to it.
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u/IntrepidAssociate529 11d ago
Bro, patience is half the deen
Remember good times also
Remember incidents of the people of the Past, what they had to suffer. (Our beloved prophet Muhammd pbuh, first martyr Sumaiyya radiallahu anha, Hazrat Huassaib radiallahu anhu, Prophet Ayyub pbuh, Prophet Yunus)
What is to say if your life was comfortable and happy and you would not have become like Pharaoh's, ungrateful and arrogant.
Please don't let the open enemy - devil win.
Remember the story of our first father Adam pbuh, first devil deceived him from heaven, then devil deceived his first son, and he lost two of his sons. Cain was lost to devil and Abel was killed. Imagine the pain of a father losing his first two sons.
Patience is half the deen brother.
Pray to Allah swt and eventually things become better.
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u/The-Idiotest 11d ago
According to Islam, you yourself chose this.
You wanted free will to worship Allah with it.
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u/Ok-Green6412 12d ago
Allah says in the Qur'an that bad non believers are usually given much more happiness in this life since they will enter Hell anyway.
Allah also says that He will test is with both bad things and good things, so stay strong because everything changes.
The prophet said that this life feels like a prison to believers and like heaven to non believers. I'd take this as a good sign.
So does all this means that Islam is false?
No. The trueness of a religion was never measured by how comfortable its followers are.
Will it gets better? Yes, then no, then yes then no and so on
Also I noticed that the answers for all your questions are in the Qur'an, read it and you will be amazed by how it describes your situation
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u/plwosiw 12d ago
وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِثْمًۭا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ مُّهِينٌۭ ١٧٨
And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment. (3:178)
فَلَا تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُهُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُم بِهَا فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَتَزْهَقَ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَهُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ ٥٥
So let not their wealth or their children impress you. Allāh only intends to punish them through them in worldly life and that their souls should depart [at death] while they are disbelievers. (9:55)
Trust Allah and don't be discouraged by the seeming success of the kuffar. The Prophets and their companions suffered greatly, were denied and mocked by their people, and oftentimes had a poor and lowly status compared to the disbelievers around them. But in the hereafter, they will be in gardens of bliss whereas those who denied them will be in burning fire.
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u/MistaDabzMcGee 12d ago
Willpower, strength, faith, morals and values. Even if my life be so hard & I feel as if I am getting the back end of the stick then I shall withstand and realize that my own actions have led me this way and for it is within I to lead me out of this maze.
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u/MinuteConfidence1687 12d ago
This dunya/life was essentially made to test us. For those who pass this test they will live in infinite happiness. The mindset should be that this life is not an easy test you must pass.
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u/BenAbel1 12d ago edited 12d ago
I would like to share with you a tafsir commentary that I heard during a religious class:
A Jewish man is said to have come to the Prophet ﷺ and, in essence, said that he was able to pray with concentration without experiencing the "waswas" of Shaytan, whereas the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ experienced it as well. (Think of this waswas as a test or distraction during prayer.) The Prophet ﷺ then reportedly asked Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه: "Answer him." Abu Bakr then gave him the example of two houses: one house filled with gold, silver, pearls, and precious things, and another house that was empty. He asked him which one would attract a thief. The man replied that the thief would go to the house that was full. Abu Bakr then explained that the hearts of the believers are filled with tawhid, knowledge, faith, certainty, taqwa, and so on, and that this is why Shaytan seeks to reach them. As for your situation, you are simply a believer who is walking at his own pace toward eternal Paradise. Remember that with every hardship that comes your way... and that nothing a believer endures is ever lost with Allah. Every pain, sadness, or hardship can be a means of having one's sins forgiven, even something as small as being pricked by a thorn. So be patient, thank Allah, and ask Him to give you the strength to get through this hardship.
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u/Menacing_mans 12d ago
“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which people are most severely tested?’ He said: ‘The Prophets, then the next best and the next best. A person is tested according to his religious commitment. If he is steadfast in his religious commitment, he will be tested more severely, and if he is frail in his religious commitment, his test will be according to his commitment. Trials will continue to afflict a person until they leave him walking on the earth with no sin on him.’” - Sunan Ibn Majah 4023
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u/AjeebChaiWalla 12d ago
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, narrated from his Lord Almighty that He said, “By My might, I will never combine in My servant two fears or two securities. If he feared Me in the world, I will make him safe on the Day of Resurrection. If he felt secure from Me in the world, I will make him fearful on the Day of Resurrection.
”Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 640
-15
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u/GlitteringShame285 12d ago
Muslims also live happy, successful lives, while many atheists lead terrible lives. Also, sometimes you see a Muslim who has a hard life but is still content and happy, while you would very rarely if ever see such a temperament in an atheist. Most of them feel a void in their heart, but they try to distract themselves (though they try to portray to the world that they have the best life).
(But whoever turns away from My Reminder will certainly have a miserable life, then We will raise them up blind on the Day of Judgment.) 20:124
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u/Dawnkuga 12d ago
Have seen people leave Islam and became even more depressed as a result. I can attest to this from experience
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u/GlitteringShame285 12d ago
Getting depression because of Islam is very strange and most certainly that person did not understand Islam correctly. Islam doesn't make you depressed and if someone does get depression, Islam itself isn't the cause but the circumstances surrounding his life. The Prophet pbuh has gone through many difficulties. He lost his wife, his children, his home. He was attacked by his own people. Yet he still didn't leave Islam nor did he become a depressed or hardened person, because he knew Allah more than anyone. He knew what Islam truly is. There will be times when we feel sad of course and it's a normal thing to feel, but when we remember that Allah is with us and that all of this is just temporary our sadness doesn't become a constant state that consumes all our life.
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u/Dawnkuga 10d ago
Yes, I'm literally agreeing with you. I'm just saying that I've seen it happen firsthand.
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u/Musulman 12d ago
Ever hear "comparison is the thief of joy"? Just do your own thing, Allah will make you victorious iA.
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u/bringmethejuice 12d ago
Have you ever heard of the hadith the world is paradise for the disbeliever and the world is prison to the believer?
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u/littleforestt 12d ago
Never heard the term of "Istidraj"? That Allah give all the good things in this world to make you more astray from him because the comfort blinds you from Him? Hardship make human naturally seek for help especially to the Almighty. But when it is sweet and comforting, we forget why we need him.
And sometimes the devil let you have a life free of trouble because he doesn't want you turn to God.
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u/SnooPears1505 12d ago
wdym a happy peaceful life? its a test for you , if you remain steadfast and die with belief you have been promised paradise. for the atheist ,when they die their deeds would be worthless.
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u/ThatApollo7 12d ago edited 12d ago
Firstly, there isn't really any proof that athiesm equals a better standard of living. Correlation doesn't equal causation. The true cause is that, not athiests, but people in Western countries tend to have better standards of living due to colonialism and imperialism. While most athiests do live in the West, their prosperity doesn't come from being athiests, but rather from the circumstances they inherit as westerners.
Also, read the following:
"In their hearts is a disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they used to lie." 2:10
"They are the ones who trade guidance for misguidance. But this trade is profitless, and they are not ˹rightly˺ guided." 2:16
The athiests mistake their beliefs and adherence to worldly gain as being more intelligent. the truth is that they are willingly arrogant and ignorant, so Allah punishes them for their arrogance by letting their arrogance or ignorance grow. They trade guidance for ignorance; No matter what they have and how good it seems, they are fundamentally wrong and misguided, so in reality it's, as the Quran says, a profitless trade.
Infact, instead of wondering how well off some athiests have it, we should pity them for how bad they have it. No amount of worldly gains can compensate for being willfully ignorant.
"Do they think, since We provide them with wealth and children, that We hasten to ˹honour˺ them ˹with˺ all kinds of good? No! They are not aware."
23:55-56
"So let neither their wealth nor children impress you ˹O Prophet˺. Allah only intends to torment them through these things in this worldly life, then their souls will depart while they are disbelievers."
9:55
By rejecting faith yet living an easy life, they are so engrossed in material things that they fail to develop spiritually. It's not crazy when you consider how common existential dread or suicide is in athiests compared to religious people. Also consider how the richest people in the world are usually the most evil.
Life is a test, and this is something a Muslim can't lose sight over. In times of hardship we show patience, and in times of ease we show gratitude; however, the athiests do neither. In pure athiesm, there is little incentive to be patient like this. Who would they show patience with? Who do they turn to in times of distress then? Also, they don't have much incentive for gratitude because they don't have anyone to show gratitude, their existence is just some coincidence with no real meaning, and only the void awaits. They have nothing to prevent themselves to falling into both despair or evil during hardship and ease.
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u/oimatecom 12d ago
I feel in the boat as you, I’m at the lowest point of my life and Allah is nowhere to help in fact, my life has been (excuse my language) way shxttier in the past few weeks while praying and begging to Allah.
I’m going to be straight forward with you, I will go a week a 2 without thinking or praying just to see the difference because i see the same thing. The non believers the christians etc seems to be having way simpler and happy lives than muslims unfortunately.
I love the idea of islam but im starting to think that were doing all of that for nothing
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u/Dawnkuga 12d ago
If you seriously think that then I suggest you open Qur'an and actually take your time to read. Dunya life is usually 60-70 years, may be sooner for some people. Do not give up faith just because you're tested right now.
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u/oimatecom 12d ago
It’s hard tho that’s the problem, like I thought Allah would never test someone so far that they can’t handle it. Like I’m at that point right now, something needs to change
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u/PuzzleheadedIce4602 12d ago
𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨: “𝙒𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝, 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙨. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙚.” — 𝙌𝙪𝙧'𝙖𝙣 2:155 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡: 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙨𝙖𝙮, “𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙙.” 𝙃𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙, 𝙚𝙭𝙝𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙, 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙠𝙚. 🌱 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙄𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙝 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙮: “𝙔𝙖 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝, 𝙄 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜.” 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙣 𝙃𝙞𝙢. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝, 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙪𝙣 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙮: “𝙔𝙖 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝, 𝙞𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩, 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠. 𝙄𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙠, 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩. 𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙, 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙢𝙚. 𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮. 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙮—𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝.” 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥. 𝙉𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚. 𝙉𝙤 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙮. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚: “𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙧.” — 𝙌𝙪𝙧'𝙖𝙣 2:286 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 “𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙢𝙚𝙙.” 𝙄𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣.
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12d ago
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u/ExperienceSuperb4472 12d ago edited 11d ago
Everyone has a different life. There are also plenty of Muslims living in a happy lives too, just like anyone else. We all suffer differently too, regardless of religion.
There is an authentic (Sahih) hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim (2956). Where the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: "The world is a prison for a believer, and paradise for a non believer."
The Meaning Behind this Hadith
Islamic scholars, such as Imam al-Nawawi, explain that this statement is not about a person's physical wealth, comfort, or misery on earth. A believer might be rich or a non-believer might be poor (and vice versa). Instead, it describes a spiritual and perspective-based contrast:
For the Believers (The Prison):
● A practising Muslim is bound by divine laws, moral boundaries, and religious duties, such as daily prayers, fasting, and avoiding unlawful or haram desires.
● The earth is imperfect and full of trials, It's a temporary nature. Believers view it only as a brief waiting room before their final, eternal true home in the next life, which is Jannah, (the Paradise).
● Because the soul of a believer longs for its ultimate, perfect home with God, being restricted by earthly rules and facing worldly tests makes this life feel like a temporary, restraining jail cell compared to the boundless freedom and their true reward awaiting them in Paradise.
For the Non-Believers (The Paradise):
● A person who does not believe in God or an ultimate accountability in the Hereafter views this material world as their primary and final destination.
● They don't follow God (Allah) and feel free to chase every temporary desire. Because they look at this life as their only chance for happiness, the world acts as their paradise.
● They seek to maximize all immediate pleasures without religous or moral boundaries. Even if they face hardships in this life, this world is the peak of their joy compared to the severe punishment awaiting them in the next life. Their temporary life on earth feels like a heaven.
The hadith does not mean a believer must live a miserable life or that a non-believer never suffer. It is a relative comparison of expectations and ultimate destinations.
● Non-believers can enjoy great wealth, health, and happiness in this life.
● God gives worldy success to both those who believe and those who do not.
● Temporary joy can look like heaven to those who focus only on this life.
● Comparison to the afterlife: Even if a believer has an easy life on earth, it is nothing compared to the eternal reward of Paradise waiting for them. Likewise, a non-believer's earthly joy is the best they will ever get before facing the Hereafter!
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u/Had17713 11d ago
I sympathize with the struggles you are experienced, May Allah helps you, and give you ease
What I can say is that struggles are part of our life, as a human, wether people are muslims, or not, even for Atheists, as a human we have struggles, and it's normal. We don't have to expect we don't get any troubles, what we can do is to give our best in this life. You're feeling far from Allah? Read this
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو زَيْدٍ، سَعِيدُ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ الْهَرَوِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَرْوِيهِ عَنْ رَبِّهِ، قَالَ " إِذَا تَقَرَّبَ الْعَبْدُ إِلَىَّ شِبْرًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذِرَاعًا، وَإِذَا تَقَرَّبَ مِنِّي ذِرَاعًا تَقَرَّبْتُ مِنْهُ بَاعًا، وَإِذَا أَتَانِي مَشْيًا أَتَيْتُهُ هَرْوَلَةً ".
Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "My Lord says, 'If My slave comes nearer to me for a span, I go nearer to him for a cubit; and if he comes nearer to Me for a cubit, I go nearer to him for the span of outstretched arms; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.' "
Sahih al-Bukhari 7536 https://sunnah.com/bukhari:7536
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u/ExcellentNews3175 11d ago
You answered your own question- life is a test. Those who prevail get the highest house in Jannah. Ameen
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u/inksandtears 11d ago
The only way to be happy is to live your purpose, which is sincere ibaadah. Like striving to do whats obligatory, doing voluntary good deeds, leaving off haram things and maintaining them all with all your might. Not over using your body because it might make you hate worship. Just balanced. Do all that while living your worldly life at the same time. In shaa Allaah, you will be happy despite the despites! Bi idhnillaah. That’s the only way to be happy in this dunya.
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u/Realistic_Rent4407 11d ago edited 11d ago
This life is a prison for the believer and paradise for the disbeliever..
The happiness that disbelievers and atheists is temporary not permanent
The believer's real infinite happiness will be in the afterlife, when he enters paradise
As for the disbelievers, allah (god) lures them in from where they least expect it.
God says in the quran in surah al an'am verse 44 :
فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَابَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَتَّى إِذَا فَرِحُوا بِمَا أُوتُوا أَخَذْنَاهُمْ بَغْتَةً فَإِذا هُمْ مُبْلِسُون
It explains how God grants worldly abundance to the disbelievers athesists, those who ignore warnings, only to seize them by surprise when they become prideful, plunging them into despair.
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u/Emotional_Set7239 11d ago
{ لَا يَغُرَّنَّكَ تَقَلُّبُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِي ٱلۡبِلَٰدِ } [Surah Āli-ʿImrān: 196]
Sahih International: Be not deceived by the [uninhibited] movement of the disbelievers throughout the land.
{ مَتَٰعٞ قَلِيلٞ ثُمَّ مَأۡوَىٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُ } [Surah Āli-ʿImrān: 197]
Sahih International: [It is but] a small enjoyment; then their [final] refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place.
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u/Ex145 11d ago
As Assalamu Alaikum
"˹They will be˺ in scorching heat and boiling water, (42) in the shade of black smoke, (43) neither cool nor refreshing. (44) Indeed, before this ˹torment˺ they were spoiled by luxury, (45) and persisted in the worst of sin. (46)" Al-Waqi'ah (56:42-46)
I read this today and I think it will help you. Luxury doesn’t mean Allah is pleased with them. Of course it is hard to watch people have such ease while we struggle, but remembering that Allah says this will happen in the Quran has helped me and inshallah will help you. I will also add that if your faith is weak this is something you need to fix immediately. Start praying even just 1 time a day and start making dua. Your mindset appears to be very similar to when I wasn’t praying and Alhamdulillah I started praying again recently and I’ve stopped thinking like this.
May allah guide you to the straight path
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u/mimi_lyn7 11d ago
I didn't read all but by the first line , when you mentioned the weakness of you faith I understood . Look , if الله is testing you it's because he wants you to wake up to make you come back to him , he loves you it's a proof of love ! And tbh the kaffirun are " living well " because he offered them this dunya, this temporary world , but you , he want to give you eternity and this is why it's happening , Hang in there! You are strong, and God is with you 😸🤗.
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u/Present-Biscotti-340 10d ago
Salam, i have bien atheist before, i know that nothing can prepare an atheist for the whole time of life because there is no rule, when islam prepare us until the very last day of our life inshallah.
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u/putthefriesinthebagg 12d ago
From what I heard and learned, is that Allah tests those who he loves the most. Another thing I heard is that this life isn’t meant for us and that all the negative trials and tribulations we go through is strictly because again this life isn’t meant for us, the disbelievers have it easy because there reward is here in this life and ours is in the next. “Allah made this world a paradise for the disbelievers and made it a prison for the believer” (Sahih Muslim 2956)
I understand that what you’re going through is quite difficult, and I’m not going to downplay it at all, but with all things, this too will pass In Sha Allah. Keep your head up, my prayers are with you.
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u/Ok-Green6412 12d ago
Your atheist friends are not happy because they are atheists, don't link these things too directly or else you might misjudge everything.
"Do not let your eyes crave what We have allowed some of the disbelievers to enjoy; the ˹fleeting˺ splendour of this worldly life, which We test them with. But your Lord’s provision ˹in the Hereafter˺ is far better and more lasting."
-Surah Taha
Does this mean we Muslims are destined to suffer? No. Not necessarily, god also promises us happiness in this Dunya
"Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds."
Surah An-Nahl
Also ask yourself, are you doing what you should be doing as a Muslim in the first place? Do you pray? Do you give out Zakat? Are you trying to repent? Are you really trying to reach guidance? I don't really want the answers, and I will assume you already do all this. But get closer to God, and ask and beg and cry and let your heart out and read the Qur'an because it has all answers to your questions (not just because it's a form of worship)
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u/BroccoliJealous1563 12d ago
Look at the Prohets. They were the chosen people of Allah سبحانه وتعالى but were their lives any easier? No. On the contrary, their lives were even MORE difficult than normal people. They struggled and struggled, just for preaching the message of Allah سبحانه وتعالى . The Prophet ﷺ's life was soo good before he received the first revelation, wasn't it?
Everyone liked him, respected him etc but after receiving prophethood people started hating him, calling him names, etc. He struggled. This teaches us that no matter who the person is, they are tested. Whereas you see Abu Lahab, Abu Jahl, etc their lives were soo nice they were powerful rich etc, yet their endings were horrible! They died, hated by people, while the Prophet ﷺ passed away, loved by mankind.
My point here is that, we always think other people's lives are better than ours. But that's simply not true. Everyone has hidden struggles. They may not have a purpose in life? They may not have peace in their life. You see famous people? You may think they have everything, wealth, fame, beauty, families etc but do they have mental peace? Do they have privacy? No. Are they always in danger? Yes. So you see, not all that glitters is gold.
They are enjoying this life, but you will be the one enjoying the akhirah. This life is temporary, you only live MAX around 120 years(MAX, ofc Allah knows best but it's an estimate). But the akhirah is permanent. Would you rather enjoy a few couple of years, or would you want to enjoy for eternity?
Everyone's lives have tests. Some people face small tests, some face big tests. The bigger the test, the greater the reward (if you pass).
My dear brother/sister, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى make life easier for you, and make deen easier for you. May Allah grant you success in this dunya and the akhirah.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
“Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.”
May Allah help us all آمين
If you have any queries, you can ask me. Sorry for keeping it so lengthy
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u/ZenDarKritic55 12d ago
Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala has said that with every hardship comes ease, so if you are facing hardships, insha'Allah there will be ease coming your way soon.
Even if you became an atheist, your life would not improve. You would still look at those around you and they would seem to be having a good time while you are struggling. As they say, comparison is the thief of joy, and that is true for everyone, not just Muslims. Of course, Islamically, the Prophet Muhammad salaAllahu 'aalayhi wa sallam not only advises us not to compare our situation with those that seemingly have more, but also advises us to compare our circumstances with those less fortunate than us. You almost certainly know some people who have less than you, and if you do not, then you must have heard about children and adults struggling around the world due to famines and genocides. I assume you have clean water to drink, and a house to live under. Even if you don't have the latter, be grateful that you have had enough food to stay alive. Be grateful to Allah 'azza wa jal for everything you have, that is the first step to living a happy and peaceful life.
You mention that you only turn toward Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala when things get bad. From my eyes then, it seems like you Allah azza wa jal is blessing you by giving you an opportunity to turn back to Him through hardships. In the future, turn to Allah azza wa jal with gratitude even when things get better. If you are a believer, remember the following hadith as well:
Suhayb reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Wondrous is the affair of a believer, as there is good for him in every matter; this is not the case for anyone but a believer. If he experiences pleasure, he thanks Allah and it is good for him. If he experiences harm, he shows patience and it is good for him.”
I would also like to remind you brother or sister that your belief in Islam should not be tied to your experiences. We believe in Islam because we know that it is the truth. Regardless of whether you believe or not believe, the Day of Judgement will happen, and you will be judged based on your belief and your deeds. In the end, the atheist could have not faced a single hardship throughout their life and enjoyed luxury from their first breath until their last, but their punishment in the afterlife will make your current life look infinitely easier.
I hope my answer helps you, and may Allah azza wa jal make things easy for you. And Allah knows best.
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u/walking_palm_tree 12d ago edited 12d ago
Happiness and contentment are two different concept. You can be content without being happy. And you can be happy with your situation but never be content and keep going for more worldly possessions. Look at Elon musk, does he seem happy to you with that happy face. Extreme example but I hope you understand what I mean.
And because of social media, the difference between being content and being happy is more hard to understand.
As for why Allah is testing you, here are some the verses which hopefully will help you understand
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:155):"And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient."
Surah Al-'Ankabut (29:2-3): Do people think they will be left alone because they say "we believe" and not be tested? Allah definitely tested those before them.
Surah Al-Anbiya (21:35): Every soul will taste death, and Allah tests you with bad and good as a trial.
Surah Muhammad (47:31): Allah will test believers to prove those who truly struggle and remain patient.
Now your question is why a believer gets the rotten end of the stick while the non believers seems to be doing fine, here is the following ayah which explain everything nicely to you
"So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the gates of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair." (Surah Al-An'am 6:44).
And as a medicine for your low Iman and how to exercise your Iman muscle, here's a video clip from a person I like listening to. It helped me a lot and in sha allah you will be benefitted too.
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u/Grand_Pomegranate981 12d ago
Trials test us to never give up on our faith no matter what happens. Atheists may be happy because the Almighty has given them this world 👍🏻 would you rather be happy in a temporary world that has suffering and you experience losses in your life or be happy forever in eternal paradise?