Authentic hadith articleThe greater the tribulation, the greater the reward. When Allah loves people, He tests them. So whoever who is content, for him is content; and whoever is discontent, for him is discontent
Authentic hadithNarrated by Ibn Majah - Narrated by At-TermedhyHadeethEnc #3339
Arabic hadith textعن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: "إن عِظَمَ الجزاءِ مع عِظَمِ البلاءِ، وإن الله تعالى إذا أحب قوما ابتلاهم، فمن رَضِيَ فله الرِضا، ومن سَخِطَ فله السُّخْطُ".
English translationAnas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The greater the tribulation, the greater the reward. When Allah loves people, He tests them. So whoever is content, for him is pleasure; and whoever is discontent, for him is displeasure.”
ExplanationExplanation of the hadith
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that the believer might be afflicted with personal, family, financial, or other crises. If he is patient, Allah will reward him. The more terrible the crisis, the greater the reward one gets from Allah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) further indicates that tribulations are a sign that Allah loves a believer, and that Allah's predetermination is inevitable. However, the person who is patient and content, Allah will reward him by being pleased with him. That indeed is a satisfactory reward. On the other hand, the person who is discontent and bitter with Allah's decree, Allah will be dissatisfied and angry with him. That is an appropriate punishment.