Sheikh Uthman Hadi - Test that shape our Character | A Journey to the Divine - Ep. 3

Episode Date: February 21, 2026

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Today, I would like to discuss a topic that is both profound and relevant to each one of us: the tests that shape our character. Life is a journey filled with challenges and trials, and it is through these experiences that we develop resilience, patience, and a deeper understanding of our faith. The Qur'an and the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provide us with valuable insights into the purpose of these tests and how they contribute to our personal growth.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sheikh-uthman-hadi--6689369/support.https://sheikhuthmanhadi.beam.lyhttps://open.spotify.com/user/315hadqmwxllibu6ubi5us2cbn2y?si=572b4d8898284e9ehttps://open.spotify.com/show/3MQHfrpjj3XXcqoPbN5Dl8?si=v6YQ42kpSx-VONBFhT3CzA

Bismillah, Rihman, and al-hameh, Al-Ahmuilah, Ruhbiliah, Rāsahto, and al-Aisulah, and al-Aishe, and Aishabi, Ais, Ais, Aishe, Ais and Aishe, my brothers and sisters, I pray that everyone is doing well, and I ask Allah, Saffaunahua-Tal to forgive us for our sins or our shortcomings

and granted his special mercy, not only in this life, but mainly in the next. My dear brothers and sisters, I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to come out here tonight, al-a-a-l-l-l-l-a. Taking the time to actually be a part of a bigger

you know, project and something of that sort, inshallah, I would like to welcome you all back, al-h-h-a-l-l-l-h-a-da-to-a-to-a-to-a-to-a-to-a-l-l-a-l-l-lac-a-a-lid, my brothers and sisters, as-h-h-h-a-l-l-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a, which I specifically spoke about how fasting and prayer go together. But one thing I want to speak about now, my dear brothers and sisters, is how tests that Allah supranahua ta a a lao ta a lot gives us also helps shape our character

especially throughout Ramadan and there's an ayah that i want to mention from the Quran just to start off al-hahmdhahela al-hah um allah saffaniahuataa says in the Quran do you think that it's sufficient enough for you to just say i believe and then you will not be tested right allah saffano what is saying here that you will be tested no matter what you know no matter who you are, you know, where you live, what you look like, any of the things that you do, right? You're going to be tested by Allah, suhanna, how, Tzada. And the reasoning why is because Allah, Sufano, who is Allah test whom he loves, right? And Allah, suhpanahu, Tala also test us to get close so we can get closeness to him,

which is why another thing I would like to mention here, which is in regards of test and punishment. I know I'm kind of getting this right off the bat, but there was a question that was asked to me one time by person and they were wondering how can I distinguish between a test and a punishment and I told them okay it will look at the way that we've been taught in the Quran what a test is and what a punishment is a test is going to bring you closer to Allah suhpaniahu and if it is a punishment it will bring you away from Allah suhpana huwita'al right and throughout the month of Ramadan Allah saffana hua is going to test us he's going to test our patience he's going to test our faith and our imman or our closest with him this is a

exactly why we have to ensure that we are trying to remember Allah saffanao'u'a and another verse in the Quran in which Allah saffaniahuahua ta'a mentions about being tested and you know how when it comes to our test it is a means of purification and growth for us Allah saffano how says in the Quran and we will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits but give good good tidings to the patient right So what he's saying here is that we are going to test you, but be patient and you'll gain a reward, which is why my dear brothers and sisters, throughout the month of Ramadan, we should try to build our connection with Allah, Sufana, how it's a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a. We should try to ensure that no matter what we are doing, we are trying to build our connection with Allah, and we're trying to have growth,

because sometimes throughout the year, our tests can be a means of our downfall sometimes, actually. And it's not a punishment, like I mentioned before, but sometimes it can be a means of low imam. right or weak faith. And the thing is, my dear brothers and sisters, that you're trying to ensure that this month of Ramadan, you're trying to build your amen, right? So you're trying to build your amen while also at the same time building your relationship

with Allah, Sufana, and Hewetala. And both of these things go hand in hand, right? Building your relationship with Allah, Safana, Hewatea, and building your amen. If you build your amen, building a relationship with Allah, Sufana, Hecala becomes easier. And if you build a relationship with Allah safana-a-ha-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a,

then your iman be sure. It's double-sided here. And this is exactly why when we have to think of tests, as they come in various shapes, not shapes, but they come in various forms, sorry, right? So the test is not always going to be you driving. It's not always just going to be finances. It's not always just going to be relationships.

But honestly, it can be health. It can be finances. It can be relationships or it can even be our Eman, which each test is tailored to our individual characteristics and how we are, and it is a refinement. And it is a reflection of Allah, suhpana hua Tala's knowledge and of our confection of Allah's knowledge of our capacity, right?

Because Allah suhpana hua Tala knows what we're capable of. Allah suhpanihu Tala did not test us with what the people of Gaza are going through right now because he know that we will break, right? It's impossible for us to go through those things. And this is exactly why Allah suhpaniahuatlādala puts a test in your life and he knows that you're going to be able to pass it, right? And if you continue,

get this test over and over and over again, whatever it could be, whether it's loss of family, whether it's health, whether it's finance, whether it's relationships, whether it's your faith, whether it is anything in this dunya that it could be is a means of Allah, suhpaniahu, and God, saying, come back, come on, I'm trying to get you, trying to not only give you a great reward, but I'm also trying to better our relationship, right? And I'm also trying to tighten our relationship. Because just as the Prophet of Allah a.m. said, an authentic hadith from Allah, Allah suhpanihu's a servant, he tests him, right?

So this hadith is emphasizing that the tests that we have are not punishments, right? Like I mentioned, but rather they are opportunities for growth and the sign of Allah supranahua'u ta'al. If you're getting constant tests, which if you are, al-a-l-l-h-la, that's a very good thing. Because if you're not, then you need to work on yourself and figure out why you're not getting those tests, right? But if you're getting constant test over and over and over again, and it seems as though you're going to break,

Allah, Sufanahu Tala says in the Quran, we will never burden a soul upon that of which you cannot handle. So what Allah Sufana His Allah is saying is that we will not put anything upon you

that we know you're not going to be able to hold with. Which is why, like I said before, we ask Allah suhahua to grab the people of Palestine and Gaza ease and victory and the brothers and sisters. But like them,

we know that our faith is not going to be as strong as them. We know that we're not going to be able to handle the challenges that they are able to handle. We know that. And Allah, Sufana Hu-Talāla knew that. So this is exactly why he put the test that he put in our life.

This is exactly why you think about the purpose of these tests. And firstly, among many reasons I can mention, among the first reason is because these tests serve to strengthen our Eman or our faith. When we face challenges, we are reminded of our dependence on Allah, Sufana-ho-ta-ta-a-a-a-ha. It is during moments like this that we turn back to Allah-Supana-a-ha-a-a-a-a-a- in prayer and supplication. seeking his guidance and his support and Allah suhpaniahuahua ta a encourages us to seek his patience

and help and seek patience in prayer right which is why he says in the Quran oh you who have believed seek help through patience and prayer indeed Allah suhpaniahuata is with the patient my brothers and sisters

among the second reason I'm only going to mention two here but among the second reason is that tests help us develop important virtues such as patience Saber, right, or shukr, gratitude, and humility, right? So when we face and when we encounter difficulties, we learn to be patient into trust in Allah,

saffaniahu, His plan, which is why the Prophet of Allah, Allah, He waslam, exemplified this during trials that he faced, right? From the loss of loved ones to the persecution of his followers. His unwavering faith in patience served as a model for us to emulate. And tests also provide us within our, opportunity for self-reflection, right? And Allah,

Sufana-hu-ta-a-ta-la mentions that in the Quran. Like I said before, and we will test you until we make evident those who strive among you and the patient, and we will test your affairs, right? And my dear brothers and sisters, the challenges that we encounter can reveal our true echelac, or true character, and it helps us to identify areas of improvement. Because sometimes Allah, Allah, Sufana-hu-ta-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a is not always just going to give us the things that we are doing wrong. He's not always going to allow for us to have that self-reflection, right? Or that introspection easily. He's not just going to say you wake up and there you go.

Those are your problems, right? Allah, Sufana, Hu, Tala might give it through test. If you're having problems with patience, Allah, Sufana Huatara might give it through a test of patience. If you're having problems with anger or, you know, with things that might be happening in your life, Allah, Sufana Huazala will give it through a test. So that it makes apparent to you, right?

And that's only by the mercy of Allah, Sufana, like we talked about earlier in the Juma talk. This is exactly why in moments of hardship, we are encouraged to reflect on our relationship with Allah, Sufana, or how it'sada. Are we truly turning to him in times of need? Are we maintaining our prayers and our acts of our abadha? This self-reflection, my dear brothers and sisters,

can lead us to a deeper connection with our creator and a renewed commitment to our amen, right? And, you know, throughout the history and throughout the lives of the prophets, serves as powerful examples for us of how tests shape their characters, right? I just want you to think about this. Consider the story of Prophet Ayu, right, Allaheis al-Saham, who faced immense suffering and lost. Despite his trials, he still remains steadfast in his faith, saying, indeed, adversity has touched me,

and you are the most merciful of the merciful. What does that tell us here? That tells us that even though they have trials that are afflicting them constantly. they still rely upon Allah. They still remember Allah. What does that come from? That comes from their amen. But what do tests do sometimes?

Test also help us, right? They help us to better ourselves. Like I mentioned with self-reflection. These tests are means in which when it comes to our self-reflection, it helps us realize the things we need to improve on. Because sometimes we can't just realize it on a day-to-day basis. You might think that, oh, you're doing something well or, you know, you're going perfect on this line, but there's no sustenious performance.

affection, especially not in the side of Allah, Sufana-u-Tadha, because Allah subana-Hu-Tada hasn't made us to be perfect. Allah-Supana-Hu-Zal is the only one who is perfect and he has made us to falter. He's made us to make mistakes and to sin. So when we think about these tests and these trials, they help actually to recognize the things that we are doing wrong, and they help us to build a better connection with Allah-Safana-Hu-Talah. And in times of difficulty, trying to reach out to our family and friends is very good. but remember my dear brothers and sisters

in times of difficulty in times of trials in times of tests reach out to Allah Sufana-hu-ta-a-da because unlike your friends and like your family unlike your loved ones unlike human beings that still have to return back to Allah suhpana-hu-ta-a-a-a-a-a-a

will never have to return Allah supranahu-a-a-u-a-ha will always be there for you no matter your ups and no matter your downs my dear brothers and sisters test are a very important part of our journey to the divine my dear brothers and sisters especially in this life. They shape our character, they strengthen our faith,

and they provide opportunities for self-reflection and growth. My dear brothers and sisters, as we continue on to face challenges through our day-to-day actions, our day-to-day lives, ensure that you are remembering the words of Allah, which he speaks about in the Quran. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.

And that's one thing I would like to quickly reflect on so we don't have that much time left. But one thing I would like to quickly reflect on, Allah, Sufana, Hewetal, does not say, indeed after hardship comes ease he says indeed with hardship comes ease every test is a means of ease we look at yusuf a he salem and the test that he faced even though it was constant hardship throughout his life he still had little bits of ease here and there and that is only a rahma from allah saffana hua a while my brothers and sisters we have to approach our tests with patience and gratitude recognizing them as an opportunity to draw

closer to Allah, Sufana-a-ta-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a. We must strive to emulate the examples of the prophets, peace be upon them, all who came before us, and especially the Prophet, Salah, Allah, A'u-Salam, and seek support not only from our community, not only from our loved ones, not only from our family and friends, but mainly from Allah, Suhpana-hu-ta-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a trials to endure and transform them into sources of growth and character development. But the brothers and sisters, I'ma-hahirn for coming here. I mean, by the way, I ask all of us to, I ask Allah,

to grant us all to our taupique and for us to have true and full understanding of what we will learn here tonight and for us to implement it within our lives. We're achro, that wind, al-hhandulil Allah, and abean. And al-a-harmat al-a-harmat-a-a-harmat-a-harmatu.