How do we distinguish between punishment and trial when a person is afflicted with a serious illness?

Question:
May Allah reward you and benefit you with your knowledge. The questioner, Ali Muhammad from al-Khabar, says: What is the difference between punishment and trial? For example, a person may be afflicted with a serious illness, which may be a punishment for him, or it may be a trial from Allah. How do we distinguish between the two? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
In any case, Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) does not subject His servant to any of the disliked things except for a wisdom. As for the disbeliever, the calamities that befall him are undoubtedly a punishment for him, an immediate punishment. As for the believer, what befalls him is either an expiation for his sins or a raising of his ranks. And Allah may bring this upon him by way of trial and examination to reveal his patience and his seeking of reward. And as in the hadith , it may be of the nature of punishment, it may be of the nature of expiation and purification, and it may be of the nature of trial and examination to distinguish the patient who seeks reward from others. Yes. May Allah reward you and benefit you with your knowledge.