Is Hardship in Life a Sign of Distance from God?

Understanding the concept of hardship and trials in life from the perspective of the Holy Quran requires deep contemplation of Divine wisdom and the established laws of God in creation. The question, “Is hardship in life a sign of distance from God?” does not have a single, simple answer, because the Holy Quran presents hardships not merely as a sign of distance or divine wrath, but rather as a tool for testing, nurturing, purifying, and elevating human beings. This is a comprehensive and multi-faceted view that, from an Islamic perspective, regards worldly life as a stage for trials and challenges. One of the most significant verses in this regard is Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 155, which states: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.” This verse clearly indicates that hardships are an inseparable part of worldly life, and their purpose is to “test” humanity. This test occurs for all individuals, whether believers or non-believers, righteous or sinful. For a believer, these hardships are an opportunity for growth, patience, increased reliance on God, and greater proximity to Him. In this state, hardship is not only not a sign of distance from God, but can be a bridge to achieving higher spiritual ranks and divine proximity. Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 35, we read: “Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as a trial; and to Us you will be returned.” This verse emphasizes that both “evil” (hardship and affliction) and “good” (comfort and blessings) are tools for testing. Sometimes, comfort and abundance of blessings can be a tougher test than affliction, as it can lead to heedlessness and arrogance. Therefore, if someone is in comfort and ease, this does not necessarily mean they are close to God; rather, it can be a test of gratitude and not forgetting His rights. Similarly, hardships alone are not a sign of distance, but rather a ground for repentance and supplication to God. Another aspect of the wisdom behind hardships is the purification of sins. In Islamic traditions, it is mentioned that afflictions and calamities are atonements for the sins of believers. When a believing individual experiences hardship, these difficulties might be purifying them from the defilements of their sins, so that they may return to their Lord with a purer heart. This itself is a sign of divine mercy and love, as it gives the servant an opportunity to be cleansed of their sins without enduring torment in the afterlife. Thus, hardship here is not a sign of distance, but rather a mark of divine grace and favor for the purification of the soul. Of course, it cannot be denied that sometimes hardships and calamities are the result of human actions and choices, as the Quran states: “And whatever strikes you of disaster – it is for what your [own] hands have earned; and He pardons much.” (Surah Ash-Shura, verse 30). In this case, even if the hardship is due to sins, it is still an opportunity for awakening, repentance, and return to God. In this verse, God emphasizes that He even forgives many sins and only returns a portion of the consequences of actions to humanity. This itself indicates the ocean of divine mercy, where even in punishments, mercy and an opportunity for return are hidden. Prophets and divine saints, who were the closest servants to God, experienced the most hardships and trials in their lives. Prophet Ayyub (Job), peace be upon him, was tested with the loss of wealth, children, and health, yet his patience was exemplary, and he reached the highest ranks. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also endured various hardships, from the persecution of polytheists to the loss of loved ones. These examples clearly demonstrate that life’s hardships are not a sign of distance from God; rather, they can be a sign of special proximity and status with Him, because God tests His beloved servants more to reveal their patience, faith, and reliance on Him and to bring them to perfection. Finally, the Holy Quran in Surah Al-Inshirah (verses 5 and 6) gives good tidings: “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” This repetition emphasizes the truth that hardships are temporary, and after every difficulty, there will be ease. This verse gives hope to humanity that within hardships lie tranquility and ease, and one should not despair of divine mercy and relief. Therefore, hardships are an opportunity to understand this truth and to strengthen hope and faith in divine promises. In summary, from the Quranic perspective, hardship in life is a natural part of the path of servitude and reaching perfection. These hardships can be for testing, purifying sins, elevating ranks, sowing seeds for spiritual growth, or even being the result of past actions, but none of these necessarily mean distance from God. Rather, it is how a person deals with these hardships – with patience, reliance, prayer, and returning to God – that indicates their closeness or distance from their Lord. A believer who seeks refuge in God during hardships and shows patience is, in fact, drawing closer to the Origin of existence and understanding the Divine wisdom behind apparent difficulties. This perspective brings tranquility to individuals and encourages them to persevere and rely on God in the face of problems, knowing that whatever comes from God, even if seemingly difficult, contains goodness and wisdom within.