ISTIDRAJ IN ISLAM

Istidraj is a spiritual concept in Islam where Allah grants continuous worldly blessings, wealth, or success to a person who persists in sin and disobedience, serving as a gradual, deceptive punishment that leads to their ultimate downfall. Meaning and Origin : Linguistic definition: The Arabic root da-ra-ja means to move step-by-step or go up and down levels gradually. Theological definition: It is a hidden form of punishment where a disobedient person receives abundant provisions, health, and luxury, making them falsely believe Allah is pleased with them. The illusion: Instead of feeling remorse or turning back to God, the individual grows more arrogant, sinful, and secure in their false success until punishment arrives suddenly. References in Islamic TextsThe Qur'an: Mentioned in Surah Al-A'raf (7:182) and Surah Al-An'am (6:44), where Allah states that when people forget reminders, the gates of prosperity are opened for them until they rejoice in what they are given—at which point they are seized by surprise. Hadith: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned that if you see Allah giving a person what they love of worldly things despite their persistence in sin, it is istidraj. Credits: (https://hadithanswers.com/explanation-of-the-word-istidraj/) #AIoverview.