Suffering & God's Grace

Someone on Quora asked: If religious people have god's grace, why do they suffer?

I have a friend who says she has embraced Jesus. But she is always hurt in one or the other way though she is one of the kindest people in the world. I find it really ironic and sad. She is not only religious, she does good things too.

Answer: 

al-Baqarah 2:214 Or (do) you think that you will enter Paradise while not (has) come to you like (came to) those who passed away from before you? Touched them [the] adversity and [the] hardship, and they were shaken until said the Messenger and those who believed with him, "When [will] (the) help (of) Allah (come) Unquestionably, [Indeed] help (of) Allah (is) near.

An excerpt from al-Ahzaab which explains through an example of a battle the Believers were faced with, and then an excerpt from al-Jumu’a to understand what is God’s grace:

al-Ahzaab 7 And when We exacted a covenant from the prophets, and from thee (O Muhammad) and from Noah and Abraham and Moses and Jesus son of Mary. We took from them a solemn covenant; 8 That He may ask the loyal of their loyalty. And He hath prepared a painful doom for the unfaithful. 9 O ye who believe! Remember Allah's favour unto you when there came against you hosts, and We sent against them a great wind and hosts ye could not see. And Allah is ever Seer of what ye do. 10 When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when eyes grew wild and hearts reached to the throats, and ye were imagining vain thoughts concerning Allah. 11 There were the believers sorely tried, and shaken with a mighty shock. 12 And when the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, were saying: Allah and His messenger promised us naught but delusion. 13 And when a party of them said: O folk of Yathrib! There is no stand (possible) for you, therefor turn back. And certain of them (even) sought permission of the Prophet, saying: Our homes lie open (to the enemy). And they lay not open. They but wished to flee. 14 If the enemy had entered from all sides and they had been exhorted to treachery, they would have committed it, and would have hesitated thereupon but little. 15 And verily they had already sworn unto Allah that they would not turn their backs (to the foe). An oath to Allah must be answered for. 16 Say: Flight will not avail you if ye flee from death or killing, and then ye dwell in comfort but a little while. 17 Say: Who is he who can preserve you from Allah if He intendeth harm for you, or intendeth mercy for you. They will not find that they have any friend or helper other than Allah. 18 Allah already knoweth those of you who hinder, and those who say unto their brethren: "Come ye hither unto us!" and they come not to the stress of battle save a little, 19 Being sparing of their help to you (believers). But when the fear cometh, then thou (Muhammad) seest them regarding thee with rolling eyes like one who fainteth unto death. Then, when the fear departeth, they scald you with sharp tongues in their greed for wealth (from the spoil). Such have not believed. Therefor Allah maketh their deeds fruitless. And that is easy for Allah. 20 They hold that the clans have not retired (for good); and if the clans should advance (again), they would fain be in the desert with the wandering Arabs, asking for the news of you; and if they were among you, they would not give battle, save a little. 21 Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much. 22 And when the true believers saw the clans, they said: This is that which Allah and His messenger promised us. Allah and His messenger are true. It did but confirm them in their faith and resignation. 23 Of the believers are men who are true to that which they covenanted with Allah. Some of them have paid their vow by death (in battle), and some of them still are waiting; and they have not altered in the least; 24 That Allah may reward the true men for their truth, and punish the hypocrites if He will, or relent toward them (if He will). Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 25 And Allah repulsed the disbelievers in their wrath; they gained no good. Allah averted their attack from the believers. Allah is ever Strong, Mighty. 26 And He brought those of the People of the Scripture who supported them down from their strongholds, and cast panic into their hearts. Some ye slew, and ye made captive some. 27 And He caused you to inherit their land and their houses and their wealth, and land ye have not trodden. Allah is ever Able to do all things.

al-Jumu’a 1 Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth declares the glory of Allah, the King, the Holy, the Mighty, the Wise. 2 He it is Who raised among the inhabitants of Mecca an Apostle from among themselves, who recites to them His communications and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom, although they were before certainly in clear error, 3 And others from among them who have not yet joined them; and He is the Mighty, the Wise. 4 That is Allah's grace; He grants it to whom He pleases, and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.

The reward of the Believers is inheritance of the Gardens in the Hereafter. Please read Immortality & A Kingdom that Never Decays.