فَقَالُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 85
Translations
So they said, "Upon Allāh do we rely. Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people
Transliteration
Faqaloo AAala Allahi tawakkalna rabbana la tajAAalna fitnatan lilqawmi alththalimeena
Tafsir (Explanation)
The believers declare their trust in Allah and supplicate to their Lord, asking Him not to make them a trial (fitnah) for the wrongdoing people. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this means they seek protection from being subjected to persecution and oppression that might cause them to fall into disbelief or compromise their faith. The ayah demonstrates that true reliance on Allah is coupled with humble supplication for Divine protection and guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Yunus, which discusses the stories of previous prophets and their peoples. The verse reflects the believers' response to opposing forces, emphasizing their commitment to monotheism despite facing trials. It relates to the broader Meccan theme of patience in the face of persecution and unwavering faith.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3/138) states: 'The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though there is good in both.' This complements the ayah's theme of seeking strength through trust in Allah. Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Muslim), relating to the collective supplication for protection from trials.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that authentic trust in Allah must be paired with heartfelt supplication, and that seeking Divine protection from trials that might shake one's faith is both permissible and praiseworthy. It reminds us that facing worldly opposition is inevitable, but our shield is conscious reliance on Allah and sincere prayer for steadfastness.