وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلَّآ إِنَّهُمْ لَيَأْكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشُونَ فِى ٱلْأَسْوَاقِ ۗ وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً أَتَصْبِرُونَ ۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِيرًا 20
Translations
And We did not send before you, [O Muḥammad], any of the messengers except that they ate food and walked in the markets. And We have made some of you [people] as trial for others - will you have patience? And ever is your Lord, Seeing.
Transliteration
Wa mā arsalnā qablaka minal-mursalīna illā innahum layya'kulūn aṭ-ṭa'āma wa yamdshūn fil-aswāq. Wa ja'alnā ba'ḍakum liba'ḍin fitnah. Ataṣbirūn? Wa kāna Rabbuka baṣīrā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah responds to the disbelievers' objection that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was merely a human messenger who ate food and walked in markets like ordinary people, implying he could not be a true messenger. Allah clarifies that all previous messengers shared these human characteristics, yet they were still divinely commissioned. The phrase 'We have made some of you a trial for others' indicates that Allah tests people through differences in provision, status, and circumstances to observe who remains steadfast in faith. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this humanness of messengers is not a deficiency but rather a mercy, allowing them to understand human struggles.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Mecca during the early preaching period when the Quraysh mockingly rejected the Prophet's message, specifically ridiculing that he was a human being with material needs rather than an angel. The broader context of Surah Al-Furqan addresses various objections raised by polytheists against the Prophet's prophethood and the Qur'an's authenticity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet said: 'I am only a human being like you; it is revealed to me that your God is one God' (Sahih Muslim 2285). Additionally, Aisha reported that the Prophet would eat with people and said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families' (Sunan Ibn Majah 1977), demonstrating his engagement in normal human activities.
Themes
Key Lesson
The ayah teaches believers that experiencing hardship, poverty, or social differences is part of Allah's divine test, not a sign of abandonment; maintaining patience and faith during these trials demonstrates true belief. Additionally, we should not reject truth merely because it comes from a human source, as Allah has always sent human messengers who shared our earthly needs while carrying divine guidance.