Are we punished in this life or merely tested?

Allah Ta'ala says, 'Do people think that they will say we have faith and%0D%0Athey will be left alone and not tested.' (29:2)%0D%0A%0D%0A'And Certainly We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of%0D%0Awealth, lives and fruits. But give glad tidings to the As-sabirin (the%0D%0Apatient ones) who: when afflicted with calamities say, Truly: To Allah we%0D%0Abelong and truly to Him we shall return.' (Baqarah)%0D%0A%0D%0A'And whatever misfortunes mefalls you, it is because of what your hands have%0D%0Aearned.' (42:30)%0D%0A%0D%0A'Problems have appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of man%0D%0Ahave earned (bad deeds) that Allah may make them taste a part of that which%0D%0Athey have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and%0D%0Abegging his pardon).%0D%0A%0D%0AIn view of the abovementioned verses, it is understood that adverse%0D%0Aconditions that come upon man are a test for some and a punishment for%0D%0Aothers. Patience should be exercised by those having firm faith when faced%0D%0Awith a difficulty. For most definitely, it is test which in turn will be a%0D%0Ameans of attaining reward and proximity to Allah. In an event where a person%0D%0Ahas erred by disobeying Allah, then trials and tribulations are a punishment%0D%0Ain order that he revert to Allah through the medium of Tawbah (repentance).%0D%0A%0D%0Aand Allah Ta'ala Knows Best%0D%0A%0D%0AMufti Ebrahim Desai%0D%0AFATWA DEPT.%0D%0A