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
وَإِن تُكَذِّبُوا۟ فَقَدْ كَذَّبَ أُمَمٌ مِّن قَبْلِكُمْ ۖ وَمَا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
And if you [people] deny [the message] - already nations before you have denied. And there is not upon the Messenger except [the duty of] clear notification.
فَكُلًّا أَخَذْنَا بِذَنۢبِهِۦ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ حَاصِبًا وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَخَذَتْهُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَغْرَقْنَا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
So each We seized for his sin; and among them were those upon whom We sent a storm of stones, and among them were those who were seized by the blast [from the sky], and among them were those whom We caused the earth to swallow, and among them were those whom We drowned. And Allāh would not have wronged them, but it was they who were wronging themselves.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًا تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ نِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ
And those who have believed and done righteous deeds - We will surely assign to them of Paradise [elevated] chambers beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. Excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers
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.