Hardships Benefit the Believer
Allah has decreed that, in this life, hardships and disasters strike both believers and non-believers. For a non-believer, they are inconveniences that hinder him from proceeding with his normal involvement in worldly life. For a believer, on the other hand, they are instances of rest and remembrance, tests that promise great rewards, and indications of atonement and expiation of sins.
Regardless of how little the harm that strikes a believer, it carries with it good news of forgiveness and elevated rank ( in Jannah ). The Righteous Predecessors used to be pleased when hardship afflicted them, seeing it as a token of Allah’s forgiveness and benevolence.
Expiation of Sins
Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet said: ” Hardships continue to befall a believing man and woman in their body, family, and property until they meet Allah (S) burdened with no sins. ” [Tirmithee]
Sign of Allah’s Love
Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Whenever Allah wills good for a person, He subjects him to adversity” [Bukharee and others]
Sign of Emaan
Abu Hurayrah (RA) and Kab Bin Maalik (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “The parable of a believer is that of a fresh and moist plant; the wind tilts it this way and that way, and so is the believer; he continues to be subject to affliction. And the parable of a hypocrite is that of a firm cedar tree; it does not shake – until it is uprooted all at once.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]