Tafsir of Surah Al-‘Ankabūt (29:2)
Arabic Verse:
أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
(Surah Al-‘Ankabūt 29:2)
Translation:
“Do people think that they will be left alone just because they say, ‘We believe,’ and they will not be tested?”
Tafsir & Explanation:
This verse highlights an important principle in Islam: faith is tested through trials. Simply declaring belief is not sufficient; rather, true faith manifests when one remains steadfast during hardships.
1. Tests Are a Means of Distinguishing True Faith
Allah (SWT) explains that trials and difficulties are part of a divine process to separate the sincere believers from the insincere.
Allah (SWT) says in the next verse:
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَٰذِبِينَ
“And We certainly tested those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.” (29:3)
The trials in life are not random sufferings but are meant to prove sincerity and elevate one’s status in the sight of Allah.
2. The Example of Prophets and the Righteous
Allah has always tested His Prophets and righteous servants.
• Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was thrown into the fire.
• Prophet Nuh (AS) endured centuries of rejection.
• Prophet Musa (AS) faced Pharaoh’s oppression.
• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions endured severe persecution in Makkah.
A hadith confirms that the most tested people are the Prophets:
*عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ قَالَ: قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَشَدُّ بَلَاءً؟ قَالَ: «الأَنْبِيَاءُ، ثُمَّ الأَمْثَلُ فَالأَمْثَلُ، فَيُبْتَلَى الرَّجُلُ عَلَى حَسَبِ دِينِهِ، فَإِنْ كَانَ فِي دِينِهِ صَلَابَةٌ اشْتَدَّ بَلَاؤُهُ، وَإِنْ كَانَ فِي دِينِهِ رِقَّةٌ ابْتُلِيَ عَلَى قَدْرِ دِينِهِ، فَمَا يَبْرَحُ الْبَلاَءُ بِالْعَبْدِ حَتَّى يَتْرُكَهُ يَمْشِي عَلَى الأَرْضِ وَمَا عَلَيْهِ خَطِيئَةٌ»
(رواه الترمذي 2398 وصححه الألباني)
Translation:
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, who are the most severely tested people?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied, “The Prophets, then those who are closest to them in righteousness. A person is tested according to the strength of his religion. If he is firm in his religion, his trials will be more severe, and if he is weak in his religion, he will be tested according to his strength. A person will continue to be tested until he walks on the earth with no sin remaining.”
(Tirmidhi 2398, Authentic)
This hadith teaches us that trials are not a punishment but rather a means of purification and elevation in the sight of Allah.
3. Sabr (Patience) and Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)
Allah wants believers to develop patience (sabr) and complete reliance on Him (tawakkul).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ وَلاَ وَصَبٍ وَلاَ هَمٍّ وَلاَ حُزْنٍ وَلاَ أَذًى وَلاَ غَمٍّ حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةِ يُشَاكُهَا، إِلاَّ كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ خَطَايَاهُ” (رواه البخاري ومسلم)
Translation:
“No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
Thus, every hardship a believer faces erases sins and brings closer to Allah.
Conclusion & Lessons:
1. Trials are part of faith – A believer will face hardships, but they are tests from Allah to strengthen faith.
2. Patience (Sabr) leads to elevation – Those who endure difficulties with faith will be rewarded immensely.
3. The righteous are tested more – The closer one is to Allah, the more trials they may endure.
4. Tests are not punishments – Rather, they are opportunities for purification and growth.
5. Reliance on Allah is key – We must place our trust (tawakkul) in Allah and remain steadfast.
Final Thought:
Whenever you face challenges in life, remember this ayah and the hadith. Do not think that struggles mean Allah is displeased with you—rather, He is purifying your soul and preparing you for a higher reward in this life and the Hereafter.
May Allah grant us patience and steadfastness in our faith. Ameen!