وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ مَا فِيهِ بَلَـٰٓؤٌا۟ مُّبِينٌ 33
Translations
And We gave them of signs that in which there was a clear trial.
Transliteration
Wa-ataynahum min al-ayati ma fihi bala'un mubin
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah granted the Children of Israel clear signs and miracles, yet these signs became a source of trial and tribulation for them because they rejected them and turned away from guidance. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that despite witnessing unprecedented miracles—such as the parting of the sea, the provision of manna and quail, and the clear Torah—the Israelites' stubbornness transformed these blessings into a test of their faith, ultimately leading to their punishment and wandering in the desert for forty years.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Ad-Dukhan, which discusses the signs given to various nations and their rejection of divine guidance. The ayah is part of a broader narrative (verses 30-36) recounting how Allah tested the Children of Israel with signs, yet they persisted in disbelief and transgression, serving as a warning to the Quraysh about the consequences of rejecting prophetic signs.
Related Hadiths
The Quran itself references this theme extensively; see Surah Al-A'raf (7:136-141) which elaborates on the signs given to the Children of Israel and their ingratitude. Related is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (ﷺ) warned against the trials that come with knowledge and blessings when they are misused.
Themes
Key Lesson
Receiving signs and blessings from Allah carries responsibility; without sincere faith and obedience, even the clearest miracles can become sources of trial rather than guidance. Modern believers should reflect on how they respond to divine signs in their lives—whether with gratitude and submission or with negligence and denial.