Surah Al-'Ankabut 29:4

Which was revealed in Makkah

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The Believers are tested so that it may be known Who is Sincere and Who is Lying

Allah says:

Alif Lam Mim.

In the beginning of the Tafsir of Surah Al-Baqarah, we discussed the letters which appear at the beginning of some Surahs.

(Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested.) This is a rebuke in the form of a question, meaning that Allah will inevitably test His believing servants according to their level of faith, as it recorded in the authentic Hadith:

(The people most severly tested are the Prophets, then the righteous, then the next best and the next best. A man will be tested in accordance with the degree of his religious commitment; the stonger his religious commitment, the stronger his test.) This Ayah is like the Ayah,

(Do you think that you will enter Paradise without Allah knowing those of you who fought (in His cause) and knowing those who are the patient) (3:142) There is a similar Ayah in Surat At-Tawbah. And Allah says:

(Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the help of Allah" Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near!) (2:214) Allah says here:

(And We indeed tested those who were before them so that Allah will know those who are true, and will know those who are liars.) meaning, He will make know which are sincere in their claim to be believers from those who are lying. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, knows what has happened in the past and what is yet to come, and He knows how that which will not happen would have happened if it were to happen. All the Imams of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah are agreed on this. This is the view of Ibn `Abbas and others concerning phrases such as the Ayah,

(only that We know) (2:143). Meaning, only to see -- because seeing has to do with what is there, but knowledge is broader than seeing, since it includes what is not present as well as what is.

The Evildoers cannot escape from Allah Allah said:

(Or think those who do evil deeds that they can outstrip Us Evil is that which they judge!) means, those who are not believers should not think that they will escape such trials and tests, for ahead of them lies a greater and more severe punishment. Allah says:

(Or think those who do evil deeds that they can outstrip Us) meaning, "escape" from Us.

(Evil is that which they judge!) what they think is evil.

Seterusnya Allah memperingatkan, apakah masih ada segolongan manusia yang berprasangka bahwa orang-orang yang masih mengerjakan perbuatan jahat itu akan sanggup melemahkan Allah, sehingga Dia tidak kuasa mendatangkan balasan yang sebanding dengan perbuatannya. Apakah belum berlaku lagi ketetapan Tuhan bagi orang-orang zalim sebelumnya, di mana mereka telah disiksa dengan siksaan yang setimpal dengan kesalahan mereka?

Menurut Ibnu 'Abbas, ayat ini turun sebagai kecaman kepada sejumlah tokoh musyrikin Mekah yang menganggap bahwa apa saja yang mereka kerjakan, tidak ada yang sanggup membalasnya. Mereka itu adalah al-Walid bin al-Mugirah, Abu Jahal, al-Aswad, al-'as bin Hisyam, 'Utbah bin Rabi'ah, al-Walid bin 'Utbah, 'Utbah bin Abi Mu'aith, Handhalah bin Abu Sufyan, dan al-'as bin Wa'il. Sesungguhnya pikiran yang demikian adalah keliru dan tidak benar. Allah tidak menjadikan sesuatu itu sia-sia. Dia menguji dan mendidik manusia dengan berbagai macam pengajaran, dengan maksud agar mereka memperoleh nur Ilahi yang terang benderang.