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The question

What is the difference in the Qur’an between harm (ḍarr), torment (ʿadhāb), adversity (baʾsāʾ), affliction (adhā), tribulation (balāʾ), and testing (ibtilāʾ), and what is the state of a Muslim amidst them?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

"Dhur" (harm) is evil, and its opposite is "naf’" (benefit) and "khayr" (good). "Adhab" (torment) is punishment. "Ba’sa’" (adversity) refers to poverty and hardship. As for "adha" (annoyance/harm), it is anything that causes minor, non-egregious harm, and it is also used for what is disliked and considered repulsive. "Balaa’" (tribulation) and "ibtilaa’" (test) mean trial or testing. When a Muslim is afflicted with any of these, they should turn to Allah Almighty, be sincere in repenting to Him, and seek refuge in Him from every disliked thing. If they are harmed by people, they may choose to be patient and forgive, or retaliate in proportion to the injustice, and there is no blame upon them for that.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported

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Source platform
Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
60044
Imported
Translation status
Source text, unreviewed
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