Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

Test, trial and affliction are essential means of testing the sincerity or otherwise of an individual's claim to faith and of establishing his spiritual rank. Every person, even believer has, according to the Koran to undergo the test: "`Do men imagine that they will be left (at ease) because they say, we believe, and will not be tested? Lo! We tested those who came before them. Thus, God knows those who are sincere and knows who feign" (29:2-3). God is Omniscient; there is no question about His knowing. In the case of ordinary believers, the test is meant to cleanse them from impurities, like the fire is applied to a goldsmith's crucible to burn out the dross. Every individual has to undergo the test: "We will most certainly try you" (2:155), and God has created man in order "to test him" (76:2). There are numerous traditions to indicate that the more a man rises in faith and in quality of patience, the more he is beset with trials in the form of afflictions, and as he endures them, he is raised more and more in the sight of God. Adam and Noah's trials raised them to be amongst God's chosen ones over His creatures (3:33). Abraham, having undergone the test of almost sacrificing his own son, Ismael, with his own hand, in obedience to the vision seen by him, rose to the rank of being chosen by God as His friend, and when he faced the burning furnace with complete confidence in the Lord's Power to turn the fire into cool and safe meadow, he was raised to be an Imam for the men (2:124). Moses, having endured the sufferings inflicted by Pharaoh, was honoured by "speaking directly with Him" (4:164). Yaqub's trial consisted in the pangs of separation from his dear son for whom he moaned so much that he lost sight of his both eyes and yet he was described by God as patient (kazeem). Yusuf, having suffered the ignominy of being sold like a slave, was faced by a tremendous temptation against his honour and chastity, which he preserved despite being imprisoned. He is described as siddiq (the veracious) and ultimately became the ruler of Egypt. Zachariah was a devout servant, but he was sawed into two when he sought refuge in the trunk of a tree from the torments of his enemies. Yahya was imprisoned by Herod, when he had reproved him for his sins, and was beheaded at the instigation of a haricot with whom Herod was infatuated. Jesus suffered affliction at the hands of the Jews, who had prepared to crucify him but God raised him to Himself.