وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا فِى قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّآ أَخَذْنَآ أَهْلَهَا بِٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَضَّرَّعُونَ 94
Translations
And We sent to no city a prophet [who was denied] except that We seized its people with poverty and hardship that they might humble themselves [to Allāh].
Transliteration
Wa mā arsalnā fī qaryatin min nabiyyin illā akhazhnā ahlahā bil-ba'sā'i wa-d-darrā'i la'allahum yaddarraa'ūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes a divine pattern: whenever Allah sent a prophet to a community, He tested that community with hardship and adversity so that they might turn to Him in humble supplication (du'ā). Ibn Kathir notes this reflects Allah's wisdom in using trials as a means of spiritual awakening and repentance. Al-Tabari emphasizes that these afflictions are merciful interventions designed to guide people back to their Lord before more severe punishment befalls them.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the middle section of Surah Al-A'raf, which discusses the histories of various prophets and their peoples. It provides a general principle about the testing of communities throughout history, illustrating the consistent divine methodology in calling people to monotheism and righteousness. The context emphasizes that hardship is not arbitrary punishment but a means of spiritual reform.
Related Hadiths
The principle aligns with the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet ﷺ said: 'The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them.' Additionally, in Sunan Ibn Majah, the Prophet stated that trials purify sins and elevate ranks.
Themes
Key Lesson
Trials and difficulties in life are not signs of divine abandonment but rather opportunities for spiritual purification and drawing closer to Allah through sincere supplication. Understanding this divine pattern encourages believers to respond to life's challenges with humility, prayer, and trust in Allah's ultimate wisdom and mercy.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَـٰفِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّى رَسُولٌ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And Moses said, "O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds
قَالَ فَٱهْبِطْ مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَن تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا فَٱخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰغِرِينَ
[Allāh] said, "Descend from it [i.e., Paradise], for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out; indeed, you are of the debased."
قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّى بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَٱدْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "My Lord has ordered justice and that you direct yourselves [to the Qiblah] at every place [or time] of prostration, and invoke Him, sincere to Him in religion." Just as He originated you, you will return [to life] -
أَوَعَجِبْتُمْ أَن جَآءَكُمْ ذِكْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنكُمْ لِيُنذِرَكُمْ وَلِتَتَّقُوا۟ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you and that you may fear Allāh so you might receive mercy?"