Loss of Fruit
Some of life’s tests are invisible. They cannot be seen by the outside world and the reason of our pain is at times not even recognized by our own conscious memory. We often make effort for a certain goal in our lives but are unable to achieve it. That is the test of the “loss of fruit” mentioned by Allah SWT: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.” [2:155]
It’s interesting how such a test has been explained in a way that can be perceived as very real and visible. I tried gardening for the first time this summer and witnessing a “real” loss of fruit after putting in all the effort was heart-breaking. There were times when the plant withered due to circumstances outside my control, or when some fruit finally came but was eaten by a squirrel before it matured. I myself do not remember how many times I watered the plants and checked on them, but Allah remembers. We have a Lord who does not forget. Similarly, Allah SWT remembers how many times I tried to water a relationship, but I lost the fruit of my toil. He knows how much effort I put into a certain parenting technique, only to witness the opposite result in my child (due to poor judgment on my part or simply as a test). He knows how I intended to take care of my body or strengthen it but bore weakness or illness. He knows when I intended to advance in knowledge or productivity but burned myself out in the process due to lacking self-awareness. He knows the tests and doctor appointments I have encountered for something but have not seen the results yet.
No one will ever understand our “invisible” grievances and losses completely. But our All-Knowledgeable and All-Loving Lord has a record of it all. He will not only provide solace to our hearts in this world, but will bring out every atom of it on the Day of Judgment in our favor, as long as our intentions are for His sake. Our Prophet ﷺ said: “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.”
