أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ 2
Translations
Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?
Transliteration
Ahasiba an-nasu an yutrakoo an yaqooloo aamannaa wa hum laa yuftanoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah challenges the notion that merely claiming faith (saying 'we believe') is sufficient without being tested and proven. Allah questions whether people think they will be left untested—the trials and tribulations are essential to distinguish the sincere believers from the hypocrites. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that fitnah (trial/testing) is not punishment but rather a means of purification and verification of true faith, as implied in Surah Al-'Ankabut's overarching theme.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-'Ankabut was revealed in Mecca during a period of intense persecution of Muslims. This ayah sets the tone for the entire surah, which repeatedly emphasizes that belief must be accompanied by steadfastness through hardship. The surah's name itself (The Spider) is a metaphor for the fragility of false faith, establishing that genuine belief requires tested commitment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Also relevant: 'No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it' (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith is not merely a verbal declaration but must be demonstrated through patience and perseverance during trials; believers should expect hardships as a natural part of their spiritual journey, viewing them as opportunities for spiritual growth and purification rather than signs of abandonment by Allah.
Related Ayahs
فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوا۟ ٱقْتُلُوهُ أَوْ حَرِّقُوهُ فَأَنجَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
And the answer of his [i.e., Abraham's] people was not but that they said, "Kill him or burn him," but Allāh saved him from the fire. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۖ وَمِنْ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَّا ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
And thus We have sent down to you the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān]. And those to whom We [previously] gave the Scripture believe in it. And among these [people of Makkah] are those who believe in it. And none reject Our verses except the disbelievers.
وَعَادًا وَثَمُودَا۟ وَقَد تَّبَيَّنَ لَكُم مِّن مَّسَـٰكِنِهِمْ ۖ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَكَانُوا۟ مُسْتَبْصِرِينَ
And [We destroyed] ʿAad and Thamūd, and it has become clear to you from their [ruined] dwellings. And Satan had made pleasing to them their deeds and averted them from the path, and they were endowed with perception.
وَمَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ لَهِىَ ٱلْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.