It leads one to manifest (izhar) his poverty, while the calamity of punishment becomes the deputy for its possessor’s right to take measures and make choices. (Jāmiʿ, 54)
Calamity (balāʾ) is of three kinds: the calamity of the common people is taʾdīb (disciplining, to train); the calamity of the elect (khawāṣṣ) is tahdhīb (adorning, to enable the attainment of a spiritual state); and the calamity of the most elect (akhāṣṣ) is taqrīb (bringing near to Allah); for this purpose. (Jāmiʿ, 61)
(See also: ibtilāʾ; imtihān)