Often, a person, especially if they are one of those whom Allah has blessed abundantly with health, children, wealth, and status, may imagine that because they are beloved to Allah, He showers them with these blessings. This person may think that because they are close to Allah, He grants them these blessings, and if He did not love them, He would not bestow these blessings upon them.
In other words, a person may be so presumptuous as to assume that they are beloved by and close to Allah!
However, there is another possibility that should be considered. This may be a trap or an enticement rather than an indication of closeness to Allah and being beloved. In our narrations, there are two categories of reports. Shaykh al- Kulaynī mentioned them in al-Kāfī in two adjacent sections:
•The first category is titled "The Enticement."
•The second category is titled "Being Spared from Afflictions."
As an example of one of these blessings, sometimes a person is not afflicted with illness or any kind of trial. They are always in good health and have no problems. This is indeed a blessing.
In the category of enticement, many narrations indicate that sometimes Allah entices His servant when they become a lost cause. Allah showers them with blessings to increase their sins, as the noble verse says:
"We only extend it for them so they may increase in sin" – this is indeed an enticement. Allah grants them blessings so they may increase in sin. This occurs only when reform becomes
an impossibility for the individual.
Therefore, let the person who Allah has showered with blessings of this nature ponder on their own position. An individual may be heedless, but Allah, who is aware of their condition, knows that they are unable to reform themselves.
Thus, He showers them with blessings to remind them that these abundant blessings are indeed a form of enticement, leading them to increase in sin and receive what they deserve.
Another possibility, as indicated in the second category of reports, is that the individual may be from among those spared from afflictions. There are many such narrations, some of which have authentic chains of transmission.
Those Spared Tribulation
In the chapter on Wellness and Respite above, we mentioned three narrations regarding those spared tribulation.
We discussed the chains of transmission for those hadiths, finding them all to be reliable. We also discussed the indications and meanings of those traditions.
Those Enticed by Allah
Another set of narrations mention the aspect of enticement.
We mention some of them below.
Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) said:
Indeed, when Allah desires good for a servant, He lets him commit a sin and then follows it with a calamity, reminding him of seeking forgiveness. But when Allah desires infliction for a servant, He lets him commit a sin and then follows it with a blessing, causing him to forget seeking forgiveness. This is as Allah says,
with blessings while they are in disobedience.91 Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) was asked about enticement, and he said,
It is when a servant commits a sin, then blessings are renewed upon him, distracting him from seeking forgiveness from that sin. He is therefore enticed from whence he does not know.92 In another tradition, Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) was asked about the
verse,
The Imam responded,
It is when a servant commits a sin, then blessings are renewed upon him, distracting him from seeking forgiveness from that sin.93
Am I Spared or Enticed?
In conclusion, the blessings bestowed upon individuals by Allah can be understood in two ways:
Firstly, they may be seen as a form of enticement, where Allah, in His wisdom, grants blessings to individuals as a reminder and test.
Secondly, these blessings can also signify the closeness of the individual to Allah. When someone enjoys numerous blessings, it may indicate that they have a strong connection with their Creator and are favored by Him.
However, it is essential not to presume closeness to Allah.
While it is undoubtedly a possibility, one must always be mindful that blessings could also serve as a test or a means of enticement from Allah.
Therefore, when a person receives blessings, it becomes their duty to fulfill the rights of those blessings. This entails expressing gratitude not only through words but also through actions. It involves obeying Allah's commands, seeking His pleasure, and avoiding actions that displease Him. By doing so, individuals honor the blessings bestowed upon them and fulfill their responsibilities towards them. This approach ensures that one appreciates the blessings in the best possible manner and maintains a balanced perspective on their significance in the sight of Allah.