Why do Bad things happen to Good people?

The question can sometimes also be

Why do bad people happen to good people?

Many people including myself have asked this many times to my friends, myself and even Allah swt. It is so easy to give up, to lose hope, to feel that everyone and everything around you just works to make your life all the more miserable. I know this too, because I felt all that. But I know every time I felt that my faith was either low or just nowhere to be found. It is a very simple thing really, if you are a muslim you know that this world is supposed to be a test whereby Allah (God) tests the believers but those who still strive to be good and are patient irrespective of the situation in their lives are the ones who have attained success and will be rewarded with an eternal reward. Of course, it is not just any fancy philosophy even a kindergarten kid can understand it.

Yet, by our human way of looking at things and shortsightedness, if our faith is weak then every time that something bad happens it takes with it a part of our faith and really we don't see any point in even asking God to reduce our burdens and some may voice this thought while other dwell in it silently.

Verse 2. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. [Surah ankabut]

Quran is full of glad tidings for those who endue the tests and trials of this life with patience.

In Surah Hud (11:11), Allah (S.W.T.) again promises to reward those who are patient in adversity:

Not so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward.

Open the Quran and there's no discomfort of your heart that cannot be changed into comfort.

I found this quote at a friend's profile and loved it!

"Ease [yusr] & hardship ['usr] are the feathers that give strength to the wings of your faith [iman], so that your heart and your innermost being [sirr] can use them to fly to the door of your Lord (Almighty and Glorious is He)” ~Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani

What I have also personally learnt from my life is that if none of bad things or people have happened to me I would never come out of my selfish zone and never care for what other people are or were going through. I have had experiences with people who are probably the best kind of people that I have met in my entire life of 21 years and their lives weren't pretty or even close to perfect yet they were content. The grace with which they carried their faith in their hearts has truly left me awestruck.

So the answer really to the BIG question is that If you believe that there is One God , The Creator then you should also believe that Nobody knows you better than your creator, It is HE who knows whats the best for you and what can bring out the best in you. You don't question his will, your job is only to submit and ask for his help in the times of distress. I know that the word submission itself rubs in our ego like salt on wounds but there is no submission as beautiful, as comforting and as liberating as the submission to that One True God - Allah.

I won't leave you just at that, One of Allah's names and attributes is Al-Adl [the most just] so don't think those who have wronged you have it easy because you don't see them suffering in this life. Know that HE knows what your heart feels, the tears that flow out of your eyes, the painful memories that you cannot forget, the distress that it causes and the sleepless nights. Also know that HE is the one who loves you 70 times more than your mother ever will or maybe even more.

Have patience, your time is about to come. Have faith because Allah Subhanahoo wa ta'ala has BIG plans for you, He wants to see you in Jannah, He wants to give you eternal peace and bliss. He has created for YOU the best place everr.

Some real quotes for comfort ;

When Allaah tests you it is never to destroy you. When He removes something in your possession it is (only) in order to empty your hands for an even greater gift! [Ibn al-Qayyim rahimahullaah]

“If you see Allah, Mighty and Magnificent, holding back this world from you, frequently trying you with adversity and tribulation, know that you
... hold a great status with Him. Know that He is dealing with you ...as
He does with His Awliya’ and chosen elite, and is watching over you"
--Al Ghazali

"From the complete blessings of Allah upon a servant is testing him with hardships and difficulties that force him to race towards His oneness. Because of this, he will supplicate to Him with sincerity. Hope in Him and no other. Trust in Him and no other. And love Him and no other to the extent that his experiences of faith, trust and love will be sweeter to him than having the trials of sickness and harm removed from him."
--Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (ra)

“Sometimes in order to help He makes us cry. Happy the eye that sheds tears for His sake. Fortunate the heart that burns for His sake. Laughter always follows tears. Blessed are those who understand. Life blossoms wherever water flows. Where tears are shed divine mercy is shown.” - Jalaluddin Rumi