Sifting and Refinement in Islam | A Divine Law for Distinguishing the Believers

Sifting and Refinement in Islam | A Divine Law for Distinguishing the Believers — Basira

Article Summary (Quick Read)

In this article we delve into the concept of tamḥīṣ (purifying trial) and gharbala (sifting), as it appears in the Quran and in the hadiths of Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet's Household), peace be upon them. We discover that this divine sunna (established law of Allah) is not merely affliction. It is an instrument of sorting by which Allah reveals the essence of the human being and distinguishes the steadfast believer from the shifting hypocrite.

We address the meaning of sifting linguistically and technically, analyse the verses and narrations connected with it, and reflect on the means of trial to which believers are exposed and on Allah's wisdom in these ordeals. We give particular attention to the age of the Occultation (ghayba), when holding firm to the sharīʿa (revealed law) of Ahl al-Bayt becomes a daily test.

We then present the consequences of passing this sifting or falling in it, which range from building a mission-driven character to loss and deviation. Finally, we affirm that there is no path to divine victory except after this sifting, as the verse has promised us:
﴿ألا إن نصر الله قريب﴾.
"Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near."

Introduction

When you want a good garment from among piles of fabric, you must lay all the options before you to choose the best. So it is with life in the balance of Allah: the reins of affairs are not handed to just anyone. Rather, there must be a test, a scrutiny, a sifting. Allah tests the human being so that his reality appears, his inner self is laid bare, and his rank on the ladder of faith becomes manifest.

This divine law encompasses everyone. Indeed, the Shia in particular face a more severe and more exacting confrontation, as the Quranic texts and the noble narrations indicate:

From Imam al-Bāqir (peace be upon him):
«واللهِ لَتُمَيَّزُنَّ، واللهِ لَتُمَحَّصُنَّ، واللهِ لَتُغَرْبَلُنَّ كما يُغَرْبَلُ الزُّؤانُ مِنَ القَمْحِ»
"By Allah, you will surely be distinguished; by Allah, you will surely be purified through trial; by Allah, you will surely be sifted as darnel is sifted from wheat."
[al-Kāfī, vol. 8, p. 67]

What, then, is sifting? What is its measure in the sight of Allah? And what consequences follow from passing it or falling in it? This is what we shed light on in this article.

First: The Concept of Sifting

Linguistically:

Muʿjam al-Ghanī states:

Gharbala a thing: he sieved it, revealed its condition, and separated its components.

Technically:

ʿAllāma al-Majlisī stated in Biḥār al-Anwār:

"What is meant by sifting is distinguishing the good from the bad, the believer from the hypocrite, and the righteous from the wicked, through the trials that befall people, just as in a sieve the kernel is separated from the bran."

Indeed, it is narrated from Imam al-Ṣādiq (peace be upon him):

"اللهمّ غربلني غربالًا"
"O Allah, sift me thoroughly."
That is: purify me of sins, and cleanse me of faults.

Second: How Is a Person Sifted in the Balance of Allah?

The Exalted says:

﴿وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الأَمْوَالِ وَالأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ﴾
"And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits."
[al-Baqara: 155]

The first conclusion from the verse:
The means of sifting are fear, hunger, loss of wealth, the death of loved ones, and scarcity of resources.

A Stern Cautionary Narration:

From Imam al-Bāqir (peace be upon him):
"لَتُمَحَّصُنَّ يا شيعة آل محمد تمحيص الكحل في العين، وإنّ صاحب العين يدري متى يقع الكحل في عينه، ولا يعلم متى يخرج."
"You will surely be purified through trial, O Shia of the family of Muhammad, as kohl is in the eye. The owner of the eye knows when the kohl falls into his eye, but does not know when it leaves it."
[al-Ghayba by al-Ṭūsī, p. 214]

Significance:
Trials are capable of shaking belief. A person may begin the day upon the sharīʿa of Ahl al-Bayt and by evening have left it, unless he remains constantly aware and continually vigilant.

Third: What Is the Wisdom of Sifting?

Imam ʿAlī (peace be upon him) says:

"ولكنّ الله يختبر عباده بأنواع الشدائد، ويتعبّدهم بأنواع المجاهد، ويبتليهم بضروب المكاره، إخراجًا للتكبّر من قلوبهم، وإسكانًا للتذلّل في نفوسهم..."
"But Allah tests His servants with various kinds of hardship, requires their worship through various kinds of exertion, and afflicts them with different sorts of adversity, in order to expel arrogance from their hearts and to settle humility in their souls..."
[Nahj al-Balāgha]

Accordingly:

Sifting produces pure souls.
It expels corrupt elements.
It prepares the community to lead change.

In the age of the Major Occultation, the sifting is more severe, because it separates those who are ready to bear the burden of the mission from those who will forsake the Awaited Imam, may Allah hasten his relief.

Fourth: The Consequences of Sifting

1. Outcomes of Success and Prosperity:

Contentment with Allah's decree.
The forging of a firm, mission-driven character.
Complete submission to the divine will.
A mature society capable of carrying the Imam's project.

2. Outcomes of Ruin and Downfall:

Deviation from religion.
Despair and hopelessness.
Ingratitude for blessings.
Poverty and spiritual loss.

Conclusion:

Sifting is a divine law from which no one is exempt. It is a divine preparation for creating a righteous society that paves the way for the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdī, may Allah hasten his relief. Hence, in the age of awaiting, we must raise ourselves and our children upon patience, steadfastness, thinking well of Allah, and not rushing headlong into trials.

﴿أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ...﴾
"Or do you think that you will enter Paradise..."
[al-Baqara: 214]

اللهم اجعلنا من الممحّصين الناجين، لا من المغرورين الهالكين.
O Allah, make us among those who are purified through trial and saved, not among the deluded who perish.

وصلّى الله على محمد وآله الطيبين الطاهرين.
And may Allah send blessings upon Muhammad and his good and pure family.

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