Author: M. Farahi Tojegi
The Evolution of Nihilism and Its Opposition to Religious Faith (part 20)
The Philosophy of Life from the Perspective of Islam and Nihilism
The Fundamental Relationship and Contradiction (Continued)
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Trial (Test)
The second category of verses in the Holy Qur’an explains that the philosophy behind the creation of human beings is trial and testing: «وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ وَكَانَ عَرْشُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْمَآءِ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلاً» Translation: He is the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days (periods), and His Throne was upon the water, so that He may test you as to which of you is best in deeds.
«الَّذِى خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَیَوةَ لِیَبْلُوَکُمْ أَیُّکُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلاً وَهُوَ الْعَزِیزُ الْغَفُور» Translation: He is the One who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deeds, and He is the Almighty, the Most Forgiving.
In these two verses, the reason for creation is stated as the testing of human beings. The Holy Qur’an even declares that the blessings and beauties of the earth have been created for the purpose of testing, as it says: «إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِینَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَیُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلا» Translation: Indeed, We have made whatever is on the earth an adornment for it so that We may test them as to which of them is best in deeds.
What is meant by trial?
The terms Ibtila (affliction) and Bala (trial) both refer to examination and testing. A test may occur through good or through hardship; calamities and anything by which God Almighty test His servants are considered trials. The divine test means the real distinction among human beings; thus, the result of this testing is the separation of the wretched from the blessed.
The purpose of testing can be several things:
One purpose may be to acquire knowledge and remove ignorance; that is, the examiner seeks to gain awareness through the test. However, this does not apply to divine testing, because God is All-Knowing and has no need to acquire knowledge: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِیمُ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُور» Translation: Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of what lies within the hearts.
«یَعْلَمُ خَائنَةَ الْأَعْیُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِى الصُّدُور» Translation: He knows the treachery of the eyes and what the hearts conceal.
Sometimes testing is not for removing ignorance, but rather for strengthening and actualizing human potential. That is, the examiner intends, through testing, to bring hidden abilities into reality and make them manifest. Therefore, testing provides the ground for voluntary actions, so that what is hidden becomes apparent and human Talent develops. In other words, testing becomes a means of moving from potential to actuality and achieving perfection.
God, who tests human beings through hardships and afflictions, does so in order to elevate each person through these trials to the level of perfection for which they are suited. Each of these challenges shapes a different aspect of the individual.
Divine trials are exercises for nurturing and strengthening the human soul. Therefore, those who possess greater Capacity and ability experience a greater share of trials.
Thus, the world is like a school or a training ground a passage for education and development not a place for eternal residence or mere enjoyment. Therefore, the more a person seeks pleasures and indulgence in this world, the further they move away from the true purpose and real perfection. In contrast, enduring hardships for the sake of God leads to human.
According to the verses mentioned, testing and trial are a cause of creation. However, as discussed in the first chapter, the purpose of creation is stated to be the worship of God. How can these verses be reconciled with the exclusive statement of the noble verse: «وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِیَعْبُدُون» Translation: And I did not create jinn and mankind except that they may worship Me.
Testing is part of worship and obedience; it is the criterion for evaluation and the measure of advancement through the Stages of servitude. Through testing, the level of obedience becomes clear and manifest. Smaller tests prepare a person for greater trials and higher stages of obedience.
As mentioned earlier, worship in this verse means obedience and submission accompanied by humility, and it has various levels and positions. Submission to divine decree and endurance in difficult trials are signs of higher stages of worship and servitude. Therefore, testing cannot be the ultimate purpose of creation; like worship, it is a means and a preface for attaining perfection.
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Hud: 7.
[2]. Al-Mulk: 2.
[3]. Al-Kahf: 7.
[4]. Al-Ma’idah: 7.
[5]. Ghafir: 19.
[6]. Adh-Dhariyat: 56.
