Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
This world is not merely a place of testing in the sense that all recompense is absent from it. Rather, it is a place of trial, and some forms of recompense and punishment may occur in it for certain wisdoms and purposes, while complete recompense will take place on the Day of Judgment.
The Qur’an explains that some disbelievers are subjected to punishment in this world, followed by a punishment in the Hereafter that is more severe and more lasting. Allah تعالى says:
“For them is a punishment in the life of this world, and the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe.” [Ar-Raʿd: 34]
Allah may hasten the punishment, or He may delay it until the Hereafter. All of this occurs according to His wisdom, سبحانه وتعالى. Allah تعالى says:
“And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare in horror.” [Ibrāhīm: 42]
Among the wisdoms that may be seen in hastening punishment are:
That they deserved the punishment because of their denial of the messengers and their persistence in disbelief and wrongdoing.
That their destruction would serve as a lesson for those who came after them. Allah تعالى says:
“So We made them a precedent and an example for later generations.” [Az-Zukhruf: 56]
That the punishment may be an answer to the supplication of the prophets, as occurred with the people of Noah عليه السلام.
To support the prophets and believers and demonstrate the truth of Allah’s promise. Allah تعالى says:
“And it was incumbent upon Us to support the believers.” [Ar-Rūm: 47]
To remove the evil and corruption of the deniers when their tyranny reaches such an extent that they deserve destruction.
To manifest the effects of Allah’s justice and wisdom, for worldly punishments may be consequences of the ظلم and sins committed by people.
Conversely, Allah may grant some wrongdoers respite and not hasten their punishment. This respite is not evidence that He is pleased with them or that the punishment has been cancelled. The punishment may have been deferred until the Hereafter; the respite may be an opportunity for repentance; or it may be a form of gradual entrapment and divine reprieve leading them further into wrongdoing.
For this reason, Allah تعالى says:
“And if Allah were to impose blame on people for what they have earned, He would not leave upon the earth any creature, but He delays them for a specified term.” [Fāṭir: 45]
This world is not the place of complete recompense, but some forms of recompense and punishment may occur in it. Allah may hasten punishment for certain nations for a wisdom, such as their deserving punishment, removing their evil, supporting His messengers, and making them an example for those who come after them. He may also delay the punishment of others until the Day of Judgment.
Therefore, there is no contradiction between this world being a place of trial and punishments occurring in it. Complete recompense will only take place in the Hereafter, while what occurs in this world is only a part of recompense dictated by Allah’s wisdom and purpose.
And Allah تعالى knows best.