وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ ٱلْمُجَـٰهِدِينَ مِنكُمْ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ وَنَبْلُوَا۟ أَخْبَارَكُمْ 31
Translations
And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you [for the cause of Allāh] and the patient, and We will test your affairs.
Transliteration
Wa-lana-bloo-wannakum hatta na'lama al-mujaahideena minkum wa-as-saabireen wa-nab-luwaa akhbarakum
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah declares that He will test the believers to distinguish between those who truly strive in His cause (mujahideen) and those who are patient and steadfast (as-sabireen), and He will make known the true condition of their affairs. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes that trials and tribulations are a divine means of separating the sincere believers from the pretenders, and that Allah's knowledge encompasses all aspects of human conduct. Al-Qurtubi notes that the phrase 'we will know' reflects the manifestation of Allah's knowledge in the seen world, even though His knowledge is eternal and pre-existing.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Muhammad, a Medinan chapter revealed during the period of active struggle (jihad) against the Quraysh. The context reflects the early Muslim community's experiences of trials during the battles and conflicts of the Islamic state, serving to encourage believers to maintain steadfastness despite hardships and to clarify that difficulties are divinely ordained tests.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure, and whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2396). Additionally, '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.' (Sahih Bukhari 5641)
Themes
Key Lesson
Trials and difficulties are not punishments but Divine mechanisms through which Allah tests the sincerity of believers' faith and commitment to His cause. Muslims should embrace patience during adversity, knowing that Allah's testing is a sign of His love and wisdom, and that hardships serve to purify the soul and distinguish genuine faith from mere profession.