Can we distinguish between the trials and calamities that occur, between what is a test and what is a punishment?
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Question:
The questioner: Regarding the trials and calamities that occur in some of the cosmic signs, can we distinguish between what is a test and what is a punishment from Allah for the sins of His servants?
Answer:
There is no need to distinguish between this and that. We say that in some cases it is this and in others it is that. In some cases it is a test for the servants, and in others it is also a punishment. It may be a test for some people and a punishment for others. There is no contradiction between this and that. Yes.
The questioner: Regarding the trials and calamities that occur in some of the cosmic signs, can we distinguish between what is a test and what is a punishment from Allah for the sins of His servants?
Answer:
There is no need to distinguish between this and that. We say that in some cases it is this and in others it is that. In some cases it is a test for the servants, and in others it is also a punishment. It may be a test for some people and a punishment for others. There is no contradiction between this and that. Yes.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، [2374- 4717] هل يمكن التمييز فيما يحصل من البلايا والمحن بين ما هو ابتلاء وبين ما هو عقوبة؟ — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.