Is the Test of Wealth and Ease Greater Than the Test of Hardship?
Yes, the test of wealth, ease, and comfort can be a far greater test than hardship. This is because ease can lead to heedlessness, while hardship often forces a person to turn back to Allah.
1. The Reality of Wealth and Ease as a Test
a) The Deception of Comfort
Allah says:
فَأَمَّا ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ إِذَا مَا ٱبْتَلَىٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَأَكْرَمَهُۥ وَنَعَّمَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّىٓ أَكْرَمَنِ
"As for man, when his Lord tests him and grants him honor and favors, he says: ‘My Lord has honored me.’" (Surah Al-Fajr 89:15)
- Many assume that wealth = Allah’s pleasure, but in reality, it is a test.
- Shaykh Al-Sa’di (رحمه الله): This is the biggest delusion. When people are given ease, they become comfortable, proud, and heedless of the akhirah.
b) The Danger of Forgetting Allah
Allah warns:
فَلَمَّا نَسُوا۟ مَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَٰبَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَرِحُوا۟ بِمَآ أُوتُوا۟ أَخَذْنَٰهُم بَغْتَةًۭ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْلِسُونَ
"So when they forgot what they were reminded of, We opened for them the doors of everything. Until when they rejoiced in what they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were left in despair." (Surah Al-An’am 6:44)
- Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (رحمه الله):
- The most dangerous punishment is when Allah lets a person remain in heedlessness.
- When someone faces no hardship, no difficulties, and only blessings, they may think everything is fine—but this is actually a punishment!
- Allah gives dunya to those He loves and those He hates, but He only gives Deen to those He loves.
- Ibn Qayyim (رحمه الله):
- The worst punishment is when Allah allows a person to enjoy the dunya while being heedless of akhirah.
- Many die in heedlessness because they never struggled, never reflected, and never felt the need to turn back to Allah.
2. The Test of Hardship and Poverty
a) Hardship Brings a Person Back to Allah
Allah says:
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍۢ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَٰهُم بِٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ
"Indeed, We sent (messengers) to nations before you, and We seized them with hardship and suffering so that they might humble themselves (to Allah).” (Surah Al-An’am 6:42)
- Hardship makes people reflect on their sins and turn back to Allah.
- Shaykh Ibn Baz (رحمه الله):
- Hardship is a mercy if it brings a person closer to Allah.
- It reminds a person that dunya is temporary and the akhirah is the real life.
b) Examples of the Prophets ( عليهم السلام )
- Prophet Ayyub (عليه السلام): Lost his wealth, health, and family, but remained patient and turned to Allah.
- Prophet Yunus (عليه السلام): When he was in the belly of the whale, he called upon Allah with sincerity.
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: Faced poverty, hunger, and persecution—but this only made him stronger in faith.
c) The Poor Will Enter Jannah First
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"I looked into Jannah and saw that most of its people were the poor." (Bukhari, 3241)
- Why? Because the poor are often more humble, less attached to dunya, and quicker to turn to Allah in sincerity.
3. Which Test is Greater?
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) said:"The test of wealth and comfort is more dangerous than the test of hardship, because ease leads to heedlessness, while hardship leads to humility and returning to Allah."
Shaykh Ibn Baz (رحمه الله) said:"The poor and struggling person is often closer to Allah than the rich and comfortable person, because he is always in need of Allah."
Ibn Qayyim (رحمه الله) said:"A person who is tested with hardship will either be patient or complain, but a person tested with ease will either be grateful or heedless. And most people fail the test of ease because gratitude is rare, while patience is more common."
Conclusion: What Should We Do?
- If tested with wealth and ease:
- Be extremely cautious and remind yourself that dunya is temporary.
- Increase in gratitude by using your wealth for the sake of Allah (charity, helping others).
- Avoid arrogance and heedlessness.
- If tested with hardship:
- Remain patient and know that Allah is purifying you.
- Turn back to Allah and increase in ibadah (salah, dua, dhikr).
- Have hope in the reward of the akhirah.
Final Thought:
The test of ease is more dangerous than the test of hardship, because ease leads to forgetfulness, while hardship brings a person closer to Allah. The worst punishment is when Allah lets a person remain in heedlessness without testing them. Hardship is a mercy if it brings a person back to Allah, while wealth is a curse if it leads to heedlessness.May Allah test us in a way that brings us closer to Him and grant us success in the akhirah. Ameen.
