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
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا جَعَلْنَا حَرَمًا ءَامِنًا وَيُتَخَطَّفُ ٱلنَّاسُ مِنْ حَوْلِهِمْ ۚ أَفَبِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَكْفُرُونَ
Have they not seen that We made [Makkah] a safe sanctuary, while people are being taken away all around them? Then in falsehood do they believe, and in the favor of Allāh they disbelieve?
أَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ ٱلرِّجَالَ وَتَقْطَعُونَ ٱلسَّبِيلَ وَتَأْتُونَ فِى نَادِيكُمُ ٱلْمُنكَرَ ۖ فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوا۟ ٱئْتِنَا بِعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ
Indeed, you approach men and obstruct the road and commit in your meetings [every] evil." And the answer of his people was not but that they said, "Bring us the punishment of Allāh, if you should be of the truthful."
۞ وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَأُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَإِلَـٰهُنَا وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ وَٰحِدٌ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."
ٱللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Allāh extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts for him. Indeed Allāh is, of all things, Knowing.