10:24 Not necessarily as a…13:38 Any type of difficulty…
Patience & trialsFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 3, 2026.

Suffering can be a test, not punishment

CVIC · Saheb Ashrafi

“Not necessarily as a punishment from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, but to test us.”

The khateeb, at 10:24

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The khutbah argues that suffering is not necessarily punishment but a purposeful test through which Allah can awaken faith, erase sins, raise spiritual rank, and ultimately reward the afflicted.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces the question of why people suffer and frames the answer through Quran and sunnah.
  2. Explains suffering as a test involving fear, hunger, financial loss, physical hardship, death, and worldly setbacks.
  3. Emphasizes that both adversity and prosperity test a person's faith and can draw people back to Allah.
  4. Describes suffering as a means of expiating sins and elevating a believer's status.
  5. Uses a hadith about worldly suffering and eternal reward to offer hope to people suffering in Gaza, Sudan, and elsewhere.
  6. Concludes with a barber story encouraging people to turn to Allah, followed by prayers for guidance and relief.
Try this week
Return to Allah during hardship instead of treating suffering only as punishment.
Continue worship during ease by attending the masjid and reading Qur'an.
Help people who have not received the same worldly blessings.
Pray for and support people suffering in Gaza, Sudan, and elsewhere.
Ask Allah for guidance, protection, righteous deeds, and relief for the suffering.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 2Allah tests people with fear, hunger, loss of wealth, life, and worldly provisions.
Sahih MuslimA moment of Hell makes worldly luxury seem worthless, while a moment of Paradise erases memories of worldly suffering.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Not necessarily as a punishment from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, but to test us.”
CVIC · Chino, CA
Play from 10:24
“Any type of difficulty that you see, even just that affects you mentally or physically, it is a means of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala removing your sins.”
CVIC · Chino, CA
Play from 13:38
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that suffering is not always a punishment; it can be a test that awakens our faith. Hardship may erase sins and raise a person's status with Allah, while comfort is also a test of whether we remain grateful and devoted. The speaker reminded us that people who suffered greatly may find complete relief and joy in Paradise. We should turn to Allah in every circumstance, continue worshipping when life is easy, and remember people who are suffering around the world.

  1. How can comfort become a test too?
  2. What is one way we can help someone who is suffering?
  3. What could turning to Allah look like this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Chino Valley Islamic Center4711 Chino Ave, Chino, CA 91710Jumu'ah First Jummah 1:10 PM · Second Jummah 2:10 PMKhateebSaheb AshrafiMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at CVIC59 khutbahs
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