It is when ALLAH (SWT) gives fortunes to someone whereby ALLAH(SWT) is not pleased with him. This is what’s called istidraj. Rasullulah (SAW) said :"When you see Allah (SWT) gives good fortunes to his slaves who are always committing sins (disobedient), know that the person is being given istidraj by ALLAH(SWT)." (At-Tabrani, Ahmad and Al-Baihaqi)
However, those disobedient people who keep on committing sins are clueless. They think that they received the fortunes because God is with them and they feel that God is kind to them in spite of their wrongdoings. Then again the people who know that we must follow the footsteps of Rasullulah (SAW) and hold on tight to Islam in order to obtain happiness in this dunya (world) and akhira (afterlife), are still doubtful.
Why is it that people who pray 5 times a day, who wake up in the middle of the night to offer tahajjud, who fast not only in the month of Ramadhan, but also on Monday, Thursday and other voluntary fasting, live an ordinary life… some are even living in difficulties. Why? And how about the people who never pray in their whole life, nor fasting, yet they are living a prosperous and affluent life? Their houses are conspicuously built, their expensive cars are parked from end to end and they have a lot of money in the bank.
