Referring to divine purpose in inflicting calamities on pious people, the Shaykh states that God tries and tests believers in proportion to the firmness of their faith. Rasūls (prophets), nabīs (apostles), abdāls (saints entrusted by God with the administration of the world), walīs (saints) were and are all put to tests and tribulations (Futūḥ al-ghayb, 66). These divine trials and calamities are a source of strength for their hearts and create confidence in them, establish their faith in the Lord, generate patience, and weaken the animal self and its desires (Futūḥ al-ghayb, 67).

Sometimes, however, calamities come as punishment for violation of Divine Law or for the commission of sin. Sometimes the divine purpose in sending calamities on man is to refine his nature and reform his ways (Futūḥ al-ghayb, 128). If patience in calamities is not linked with deep and unshakable faith in God, it can lead to frustration and pessimism. The Shaykh believed that good and evil were both acts of God and cited the following Quranic verse in support of his view: "God has created you as well as what you do" ( LXXXVII, 96). It is therefore incumbent upon every human being to bear all calamities with patience and fortitude. To grudge and grumble is not the prescribed way. "Hold on to patience even if you get exhausted through your cheerful submission to and harmony with God. Hold on to cheerful resignation to and concord with Him" (Futūḥ al-ghayb, 66).