Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
Not being subjected to severe trials does not mean that a person’s faith is weak. Likewise, trials are not something a Muslim should ask for or wish for. Rather, what is prescribed is to ask Allah for well-being and safety, to be grateful to Him for it, and to remain patient if a trial befalls him.
A Muslim is commanded to remain steadfast in obedience to Allah according to his ability: to do what Allah has commanded, avoid what He has forbidden, and hope thereby for goodness in this world and the Hereafter.
It is not from the Sunnah for a Muslim to hasten toward trials or wish for them. Rather, the texts instruct us to ask Allah for well-being.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“O people, do not wish to meet the enemy. Ask Allah for well-being. But when you meet them, then be patient, and know that Paradise is under the shade of swords.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari (2966) and Muslim (1742).
The Prophet ﷺ also used to seek refuge in Allah from severe trials, saying:
“Seek refuge in Allah from severe calamity, misery overtaking one, an evil decree, and the gloating of enemies.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari (6616) and Muslim (2707).
The Prophet ﷺ also disapproved of a man who asked Allah to hasten in this world what He would have punished him for in the Hereafter. He said:
“Glory be to Allah! You cannot bear it—or you cannot endure it. Why did you not say: ‘Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire’?”
Narrated by Muslim (2688).
There are hadiths concerning the virtue of being patient during trials. Among them is the saying of the Prophet ﷺ:
“When Allah intends good for His servant, He hastens his punishment in this world. But when He intends evil for His servant, He withholds punishment from him because of his sin until he comes with it on the Day of Resurrection.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2396).
However, the meaning of these texts is to encourage patience after a trial occurs, not to encourage seeking or wishing for trials, as al-Mubarakfuri explained in Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi (7/66).
Therefore, the believer should prepare himself for two matters: patience when a trial occurs, and gratitude when he is blessed with well-being and prosperity.
A person’s remaining in a state of well-being may be among Allah’s greatest blessings upon him. If Allah grants him safety in his religion and worldly life, he should praise Allah and use this blessing in His obedience.
Well-being is not merely freedom from illness or calamities. One of its greatest forms is for Allah to protect His servant from disbelief, immorality, disobedience, heedlessness, and turning away, and to grant him success in doing what He loves and abandoning what He dislikes.
Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“What a person should ask his Lord for is complete well-being: well-being from disbelief, immorality, disobedience, heedlessness and turning away, from doing what He does not love and abandoning what He loves. This is the true meaning of well-being.”
Shifa’ al-‘Alil, p. 111.
The Prophet ﷺ used to ask Allah for well-being in his religion and worldly life. Among his supplications was:
“O Allah, I ask You for well-being in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family, and my wealth…”
Narrated by Abu Dawud (5074); authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih Ibn Majah (3121).
He also used to say in the qunut:
“And grant me well-being among those whom You have granted well-being.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (464); authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud (1281).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Ask Allah for forgiveness and well-being, for no one has been given anything after certainty better than well-being.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (3558); authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih al-Tirmidhi (2821).
When Allah blesses a servant with well-being, this is a great opportunity to worship Him through gratitude. It is not a reason to doubt one’s faith or search for trials.
Allah تعالى says:
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.”
Al-Baqarah: 152.
And He says:
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you.”
Ibrahim: 7.
The righteous servant supplicated:
“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteousness of which You approve, and make my offspring righteous for me. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.”
Al-Ahqaf: 15.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah is pleased with the servant who eats a meal and praises Him for it, or drinks a drink and praises Him for it.”
Narrated by Muslim (2734).
Among the greatest things that help a servant fulfill this form of worship is the supplication of the Prophet ﷺ for Mu‘adh ibn Jabal:
“O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You well.”
Narrated by Abu Dawud (1532); authenticated by al-Albani.
Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, explained that gratitude is among the highest stations of servitude, and that Allah promised its people an increase from His bounty. Allah تعالى says:
“And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is Him alone that you worship.”
Al-Nahl: 114.
And He says:
“And few of My servants are truly grateful.”
Saba’: 13.
Thus, a believer who lives in well-being, thanks Allah for it, and uses His blessings in obedience is not less faithful than one who is tested and remains patient. Each has a different door of servitude: patience for those who are tested, and gratitude for those who enjoy well-being.
Not being subjected to severe trials does not indicate that a Muslim has weak faith or is not a true believer. Nor should he wish for or ask for trials. Rather, the Sunnah is to ask Allah for well-being, praise Him when He grants it, and prepare oneself to remain patient if a trial occurs.
If Allah has blessed you with well-being, thank Him for His blessing, devote yourself to His obedience, and do not search for trials in order to test your faith. Well-being itself is a blessing and a test, and being grateful for it is a great act of worship.
And Allah knows best.