وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ 155
Translations
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient,
Transliteration
Wa-lanaблuwannakum bi-shay'in min al-khawf wa-al-jū'a wa-naqṣ min al-amwāl wa-al-anfus wa-al-thamarāt, wa-bashshir al-sābirīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah announces that He will test the believers with various trials including fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives, and crops. This ayah establishes that trials are an inevitable part of faith and a means of purification. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that these tests are Divine blessings in disguise, as they expiate sins and elevate the ranks of the patient, while Al-Qurtubi notes that the glad tidings (bashara) given to the patient ones indicates that perseverance through trials leads to Divine reward and proximity to Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Medinan period and follows the establishment of the Muslim community in Medina. It provides comfort and guidance to early Muslims who faced persecution, economic hardship, and loss of lives during the struggles to establish Islam. The ayah contextualizes trials as a normal part of the believer's journey rather than signs of Divine displeasure.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records the hadith where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever is patient, there is patience, and whoever is angry, there is anger.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah reports the Prophet saying that trials are a mercy and purification for believers.
Themes
Key Lesson
Difficulties and hardships are not punishments but divine tests meant to strengthen faith and purify the soul; the believer should respond with patience, knowing that steadfastness brings both spiritual elevation and eternal reward from Allah.