Transliteration:( Wa laqad fatannal lazeena min qablihim fala ya'lamannal laahul lazeena sadaqoo wa la ya'lamannal kaazibeen )
"And We certainly tested those before them; thus, Allah will surely distinguish those who are truthful [4] from those who are liars. [5]"
Some servants of Allah Almighty were dissected with a saw, some were cut into pieces with iron forks, some were cast into the fire, and some were commanded to sacrifice their own sons.
Yet these great personalities remained steadfast, showing a firmness and resolve like mountains. These examples serve as reminders that severe trials have always accompanied sincere faith.
Here, the translation of the word knowledge as "to see" is most appropriate. This is called manifest knowledge—because while Allah’s knowledge is eternal and pre-existent, His witnessing of deeds occurs after their manifestation.
Some scholars say that knowing Allah in truth means recognizing His beloved servants. Just as gold is purified in fire, so too the impurities of faith are burned away through trial.
These tests are not for Allah's knowledge, but for us—to make truth and falsehood visible to the world.
Their real purpose is to ensure that on the Day of Judgment, no one can object to anyone’s reward or status.
Example: When Imam Hussain (May Allah be pleased with him) is granted the leadership of the inmates of Paradise, no one will question it—Karbala has made his worth crystal clear.
The tafsir of Surah Ankabut verse 3 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Ankabut ayat 1 which provides the complete commentary from verse 1 through 4.
(29:3) for We indeed tested those who went before them?[2] Allah will most certainly ascertain[3] those who spoke the truth and those who lied.
2. That is, this is not a new thing which you alone may be experiencing. The same has also been happening before you. Whoever made a claim to the faith, he was made to pass through trials and tribulations. And when the others were not given anything without the trial, you are in no way any special people that you should be favored and rewarded merely on verbal profession of the faith.
3. Literally, “It is necessary that Allah should find out.” A question may be asked: “When Allah already knows the truth of the truthful and the untruth of the liar, why should He put the people to the test for the sake of these” The answer is: Until a person has manifested his potential and capability to do a thing in practical terms, justice requires that he neither deserves any rewards nor any punishment. One man, for example, is capable of being trustworthy and another man of being un-trustworthy. Unless both are tried and one manifests trustworthiness and the other the lack of it practically, it will not be justice on the part of Allah that He should reward one for trustworthiness and punish the other for the lack of it only on the basis of His knowledge of the unseen. Therefore the knowledge Allah already possesses about the capabilities of the people and about their conduct in the future is not enough to satisfy the requirements of justice until the people have manifested their potentialities in practical ways. Justice with Allah is not based on the knowledge that a person possesses a tendency to steal and will commit a theft, but on the knowledge that he has actually committed a theft. Likewise, Allah does not bestow favors and rewards on the basis of the knowledge that a person has the potential and capability to become a great believer and fighter in His way, but on the basis of the knowledge that the person concerned has practically proved by deed and action that he is a sincere believer and a brave fighter in His way. That is why we have translated the words of the verse as: “Allah will surely make evident.”
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics