Quran Verses about Trials of life
Allah created life and death to test who is best in deeds, and whoever claims faith will surely be tested. The verses name the forms of trial, namely fear, hunger, loss of wealth and lives, good and harm, wealth and children, worldly enjoyment, other people and prohibitions, and the trials of the prophets and earlier peoples, with good news for those who are patient.
Life and death were created as a test
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَكُمۡ خَلَٰٓئِفَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعۡضَكُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٖ دَرَجَٰتٖ لِّيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ فِي مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمۡۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٞ رَّحِيمُۢ ١٦٥
Wa huwal-ladhī jaʿalakum khalāʾifal-arḍi wa rafaʿa baʿḍakum fawqa baʿḍin darajātil liyabluwakum fī mā ātākum, inna rabbaka sarīʿul-ʿiqābi wa innahū laghafūrur raḥīm.
And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٖ وَكَانَ عَرۡشُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلۡمَآءِ لِيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلٗاۗ وَلَئِن قُلۡتَ إِنَّكُم مَّبۡعُوثُونَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱلۡمَوۡتِ لَيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ إِنۡ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرٞ مُّبِينٞ ٧
Wa huwal-ladhī khalaqas-samāwāti wal-arḍa fī sittati ayyāmiw wa kāna ʿarshuhū ʿalal-māʾi liyabluwakum ayyukum aḥsanu ʿamalā, wa laʾin qulta innakum mabʿūthūna mim baʿdil-mawti layaqūlannal-ladhīna kafarū in hādhā illā siḥrum mubīn.
And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days - and His Throne had been upon water - that He might test you as to which of you is best in deed. But if you say, "Indeed, you are resurrected after death," those who disbelieve will surely say, "This is not but obvious magic."
إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ زِينَةٗ لَّهَا لِنَبۡلُوَهُمۡ أَيُّهُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلٗا ٧
Innā jaʿalnā mā ʿalal-arḍi zīnatal lahā linabluwahum ayyuhum aḥsanu ʿamalā.
Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed.
كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلۡمَوۡتِۗ وَنَبۡلُوكُم بِٱلشَّرِّ وَٱلۡخَيۡرِ فِتۡنَةٗۖ وَإِلَيۡنَا تُرۡجَعُونَ ٣٥
Kullu nafsin dhāʾiqatul-mawt, wa nablūkum bish-sharri wal-khayri fitnah, wa ilaynā turjaʿūn.
Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.
ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلٗاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٢
Al-ladhī khalaqal-mawta wal-ḥayāta liyabluwakum ayyukum aḥsanu ʿamalā, wa huwal-ʿazīzul-ghafūr.
[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving -
إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِن نُّطۡفَةٍ أَمۡشَاجٖ نَّبۡتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ سَمِيعَۢا بَصِيرًا ٢
Innā khalaqnal-insāna min nuṭfatin amshājin nabtalīhi fajaʿalnāhu samīʿam baṣīrā.
Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture1 that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., a combination of the male and female substance, within the womb.
Believers will surely be tested
أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ أَن تَدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأۡتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوۡاْ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۖ مَّسَّتۡهُمُ ٱلۡبَأۡسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلۡزِلُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصۡرُ ٱللَّهِۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصۡرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٞ ٢١٤
Am ḥasibtum an tadkhulul-jannata wa lammā yaʾtikum mathalul-ladhīna khalaw min qablikum, massathumul-baʾsāʾu waḍ-ḍarrāʾu wa zulzilū ḥattā yaqūlar-rasūlu wal-ladhīna āmanū maʿahū matā naṣrullāh, alā inna naṣrallāhi qarīb.
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allāh?" Unquestionably, the help of Allāh is near.
أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ أَن تَدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعۡلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَيَعۡلَمَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٤٢
Am ḥasibtum an tadkhulul-jannata wa lammā yaʿlamillāhul-ladhīna jāhadū minkum wa yaʿlamaṣ-ṣābirīn.
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allāh has not yet made evident those of you who fight in His cause and made evident those who are steadfast?
وَلَقَدۡ صَدَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَعۡدَهُۥٓ إِذۡ تَحُسُّونَهُم بِإِذۡنِهِۦۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَشِلۡتُمۡ وَتَنَٰزَعۡتُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَمۡرِ وَعَصَيۡتُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ مَآ أَرَىٰكُم مَّا تُحِبُّونَۚ مِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَۚ ثُمَّ صَرَفَكُمۡ عَنۡهُمۡ لِيَبۡتَلِيَكُمۡۖ وَلَقَدۡ عَفَا عَنكُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ١٥٢
Wa laqad ṣadaqakumullāhu waʿdahū idh taḥussūnahum biʾidhnih, ḥattā idhā fashiltum wa tanāzaʿtum fil-amri wa ʿaṣaytum mim baʿdi mā arākum mā tuḥibbūn, minkum may yurīdud-dunyā wa minkum may yurīdul-ākhirah, thumma ṣarafakum ʿanhum liyabtaliyakum, wa laqad ʿafā ʿankum, wallāhu dhū faḍlin ʿalal-muʾminīn.
And Allāh had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing them [i.e., the enemy] by His permission until [the time] when you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given by the Prophet (ﷺ)] and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love.1 Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then He turned you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. And He has already forgiven you, and Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the believers.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., the spoils of war.
ثُمَّ أَنزَلَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱلۡغَمِّ أَمَنَةٗ نُّعَاسٗا يَغۡشَىٰ طَآئِفَةٗ مِّنكُمۡۖ وَطَآئِفَةٞ قَدۡ أَهَمَّتۡهُمۡ أَنفُسُهُمۡ يَظُنُّونَ بِٱللَّهِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡحَقِّ ظَنَّ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِيَّةِۖ يَقُولُونَ هَل لَّنَا مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ مِن شَيۡءٖۗ قُلۡ إِنَّ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ كُلَّهُۥ لِلَّهِۗ يُخۡفُونَ فِيٓ أَنفُسِهِم مَّا لَا يُبۡدُونَ لَكَۖ يَقُولُونَ لَوۡ كَانَ لَنَا مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَيۡءٞ مَّا قُتِلۡنَا هَٰهُنَاۗ قُل لَّوۡ كُنتُمۡ فِي بُيُوتِكُمۡ لَبَرَزَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡقَتۡلُ إِلَىٰ مَضَاجِعِهِمۡۖ وَلِيَبۡتَلِيَ ٱللَّهُ مَا فِي صُدُورِكُمۡ وَلِيُمَحِّصَ مَا فِي قُلُوبِكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ ١٥٤
Thumma anzala ʿalaykum mim baʿdil-ghammi amanatan nuʿāsay yaghshā ṭāʾifatam minkum, wa ṭāʾifatun qad ahammathum anfusuhum yaẓunnūna billāhi ghayral-ḥaqqi ẓannal-jāhiliyyah, yaqūlūna hal lanā minal-amri min shayʾ, qul innal-amra kullahū lillāh, yukhfūna fī anfusihim mā lā yubdūna lak, yaqūlūna law kāna lanā minal-amri shayʾum mā qutilnā hāhunā, qul law kuntum fī buyūtikum labarazal-ladhīna kutiba ʿalayhimul-qatlu ilā maḍājiʿihim, waliyabtaliyallāhu mā fī ṣudūrikum waliyumaḥḥiṣa mā fī qulūbikum, wallāhu ʿalīmum bidhātiṣ-ṣudūr.
Then after distress, He sent down upon you security [in the form of] drowsiness, overcoming a faction of you, while another faction worried about themselves, thinking of Allāh other than the truth - the thought of ignorance, saying, "Is there anything for us [to have done] in this matter?" Say, "Indeed, the matter belongs completely to Allāh." They conceal within themselves what they will not reveal to you. They say, "If there was anything we could have done in the matter, we [i.e., some of us] would not have been killed right here." Say, "Even if you had been inside your houses, those decreed to be killed would have come out to their death beds." [It was] so that Allāh might test what is in your breasts and purify what is in your hearts. And Allāh is Knowing of that within the breasts.
۞ لَتُبۡلَوُنَّ فِيٓ أَمۡوَٰلِكُمۡ وَأَنفُسِكُمۡ وَلَتَسۡمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُوٓاْ أَذٗى كَثِيرٗاۚ وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ ١٨٦
Latublawunna fī amwālikum wa anfusikum wa latasmaʿunna minal-ladhīna ūtul-kitāba min qablikum wa minal-ladhīna ashrakū adhan kathīrā, wa in taṣbirū watattaqū fa inna dhālika min ʿazmil-umūr.
You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allāh much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allāh - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.
أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتۡرَكُوٓاْ أَن يَقُولُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمۡ لَا يُفۡتَنُونَ ٢
Aḥasiban-nāsu ay yutrakū ay yaqūlū āmannā wa hum lā yuftanūn.
Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?
وَلَقَدۡ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۖ فَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْ وَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ ٣
Wa laqad fatannal-ladhīna min qablihim, falayaʿlamannallāhul-ladhīna ṣadaqū wa layaʿlamannal-kādhibīn.
But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allāh will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.
إِذۡ جَآءُوكُم مِّن فَوۡقِكُمۡ وَمِنۡ أَسۡفَلَ مِنكُمۡ وَإِذۡ زَاغَتِ ٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرُ وَبَلَغَتِ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ ٱلۡحَنَاجِرَ وَتَظُنُّونَ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلظُّنُونَا۠ ١٠
Idh jāʾūkum min fawqikum wa min asfala minkum wa idh zāghatil-abṣāru wa balaghatil-qulūbul-ḥanājira wa taẓunnūna billāhiẓ-ẓunūn.
[Remember] when they came at you from above you and from below you, and when eyes shifted [in fear], and hearts reached the throats, and you assumed about Allāh [various] assumptions.
هُنَالِكَ ٱبۡتُلِيَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَزُلۡزِلُواْ زِلۡزَالٗا شَدِيدٗا ١١
Hunālikabtuliyal-muʾminūna wa zulzilū zilzālan shadīdā.
There the believers were tested and shaken with a severe shaking.
وَلَنَبۡلُوَنَّكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ نَعۡلَمَ ٱلۡمُجَٰهِدِينَ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ وَنَبۡلُوَاْ أَخۡبَارَكُمۡ ٣١
Wa lanabluwannakum ḥattā naʿlamal-mujāhidīna minkum waṣ-ṣābirīna wa nabluwa akhbārakum.
And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you [for the cause of Allāh] and the patient, and We will test your affairs.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَغُضُّونَ أَصۡوَٰتَهُمۡ عِندَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱمۡتَحَنَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمۡ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰۚ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٞ وَأَجۡرٌ عَظِيمٌ ٣
Innal-ladhīna yaghuḍḍūna aṣwātahum ʿinda rasūlillāhi ulāʾikal-ladhīnamtaḥanallāhu qulūbahum lit-taqwā, lahum maghfiratuw wa ajrun ʿaẓīm.
Indeed, those who lower their voices before the Messenger of Allāh - they are the ones whose hearts Allāh has tested for righteousness. For them is forgiveness and great reward.
Tested with hardship and ease
وَلَنَبۡلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيۡءٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡخَوۡفِ وَٱلۡجُوعِ وَنَقۡصٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَمۡوَٰلِ وَٱلۡأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٥٥
Wa lanabluwannakum bishayʾim minal-khawfi wal-jūʿi wa naqṣim minal-amwāli wal-anfusi wath-thamarāt, wa bashshiriṣ-ṣābirīn.
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient,
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَٰبَتۡهُم مُّصِيبَةٞ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيۡهِ رَٰجِعُونَ ١٥٦
Al-ladhīna idhā aṣābathum muṣībatun qālū innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn.
Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allāh, and indeed to Him we will return."
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ صَلَوَٰتٞ مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ وَرَحۡمَةٞۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدُونَ ١٥٧
Ulāʾika ʿalayhim ṣalawātum mir rabbihim wa raḥmah, wa ulāʾika humul-muhtadūn.
Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.
وَقَطَّعۡنَٰهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أُمَمٗاۖ مِّنۡهُمُ ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ وَمِنۡهُمۡ دُونَ ذَٰلِكَۖ وَبَلَوۡنَٰهُم بِٱلۡحَسَنَٰتِ وَٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ ١٦٨
Wa qaṭṭaʿnāhum fil-arḍi umamā, minhumuṣ-ṣāliḥūna wa minhum dūna dhālik, wa balawnāhum bil-ḥasanāti was-sayyiʾāti laʿallahum yarjiʿūn.
And We divided them throughout the earth into nations. Of them some were righteous, and of them some were otherwise. And We tested them with good [times] and bad that perhaps they would return [to obedience].
أَوَلَا يَرَوۡنَ أَنَّهُمۡ يُفۡتَنُونَ فِي كُلِّ عَامٖ مَّرَّةً أَوۡ مَرَّتَيۡنِ ثُمَّ لَا يَتُوبُونَ وَلَا هُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُونَ ١٢٦
Awalā yarawna annahum yuftanūna fī kulli ʿāmim marratan aw marratayni thumma lā yatūbūna wa lā hum yadhdhakkarūn.
Do they not see that they are tried every year once or twice but then they do not repent nor do they remember?
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَعۡبُدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ حَرۡفٖۖ فَإِنۡ أَصَابَهُۥ خَيۡرٌ ٱطۡمَأَنَّ بِهِۦۖ وَإِنۡ أَصَابَتۡهُ فِتۡنَةٌ ٱنقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجۡهِهِۦ خَسِرَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةَۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡخُسۡرَانُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ ١١
Wa minan-nāsi may yaʿbudullāha ʿalā ḥarf, fa in aṣābahū khayruniṭmaʾanna bih, wa in aṣābathu fitnatuninqalaba ʿalā wajhihī khasirad-dunyā wal-ākhirah, dhālika huwal-khusrānul-mubīn.
And of the people is he who worships Allāh on an edge.1 If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face [to unbelief]. He has lost [this] world and the Hereafter. That is what is the manifest loss.
Footnotes (1)
- At the edge of his religion, so to speak, i.e., with uncertainty, hypocrisy or heedlessness.
فَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ ضُرّٞ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلۡنَٰهُ نِعۡمَةٗ مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمِۭۚ بَلۡ هِيَ فِتۡنَةٞ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٤٩
Fa idhā massal-insāna ḍurrun daʿānā thumma idhā khawwalnāhu niʿmatam minnā qāla innamā ūtītuhū ʿalā ʿilm, bal hiya fitnatuw wa lākinna aktharahum lā yaʿlamūn.
And when adversity touches man, he calls upon Us; then when We bestow on him a favor from Us, he says, "I have only been given it because of [my] knowledge." Rather, it is a trial, but most of them do not know.
فَأَمَّا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ إِذَا مَا ٱبۡتَلَىٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَأَكۡرَمَهُۥ وَنَعَّمَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّيٓ أَكۡرَمَنِ ١٥
Fa ammal-insānu idhā mabtalāhu rabbuhū fa akramahū wa naʿʿamahū fayaqūlu rabbī akraman.
And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me."1
Footnotes (1)
- He is proud rather than grateful, attributing the favor to his own merit.
وَأَمَّآ إِذَا مَا ٱبۡتَلَىٰهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيۡهِ رِزۡقَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّيٓ أَهَٰنَنِ ١٦
Wa ammā idhā mabtalāhu faqadara ʿalayhi rizqahū fayaqūlu rabbī ahānan.
But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me."
Tested with wealth, children and worldly blessings
فَلَمۡ تَقۡتُلُوهُمۡ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَتَلَهُمۡۚ وَمَا رَمَيۡتَ إِذۡ رَمَيۡتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَمَىٰ وَلِيُبۡلِيَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ مِنۡهُ بَلَآءً حَسَنًاۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٞ ١٧
Falam taqtulūhum wa lākinnallāha qatalahum, wa mā ramayta idh ramayta wa lākinnallāha ramā waliyubliyal-muʾminīna minhu balāʾan ḥasanā, innallāha samīʿun ʿalīm.
And you did not kill them, but it was Allāh who killed them.1 And you threw not, [O Muḥammad], when you threw, but it was Allāh who threw2 that He might test the believers with a good test.3 Indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
Footnotes (3)
- i.e., Your strength was insufficient to overcome them, but Allāh supported you and gave you victory.
- When the Prophet (ﷺ) threw a handful of dust into the faces of the disbelievers, Allāh caused it to fill the eyes and nose of every soldier, preventing their advance.
- So that they would appreciate Allāh's favor to them.
وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّمَآ أَمۡوَٰلُكُمۡ وَأَوۡلَٰدُكُمۡ فِتۡنَةٞ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجۡرٌ عَظِيمٞ ٢٨
Waʿlamū annamā amwālukum wa awlādukum fitnatuw wa annallāha ʿindahū ajrun ʿaẓīm.
And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allāh has with Him a great reward.
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيۡنَيۡكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعۡنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزۡوَٰجٗا مِّنۡهُمۡ زَهۡرَةَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا لِنَفۡتِنَهُمۡ فِيهِۚ وَرِزۡقُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٞ وَأَبۡقَىٰ ١٣١
Wa lā tamuddanna ʿaynayka ilā mā mattaʿnā bihī azwājam minhum zahratal-ḥayātid-dunyā linaftinahum fīh, wa rizqu rabbika khayruw wa abqā.
And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.
قَالَ ٱلَّذِي عِندَهُۥ عِلۡمٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ أَن يَرۡتَدَّ إِلَيۡكَ طَرۡفُكَۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسۡتَقِرًّا عِندَهُۥ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِن فَضۡلِ رَبِّي لِيَبۡلُوَنِيٓ ءَأَشۡكُرُ أَمۡ أَكۡفُرُۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشۡكُرُ لِنَفۡسِهِۦۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّي غَنِيّٞ كَرِيمٞ ٤٠
Qālal-ladhī ʿindahū ʿilmum minal-kitābi ana ātīka bihī qabla ay yartadda ilayka ṭarfuk, falammā raʾāhu mustaqirran ʿindahū qāla hādhā min faḍli rabbī liyabluwanī aʾashkuru am akfur, wa man shakara fa innamā yashkuru linafsih, wa man kafara fa inna rabbī ghaniyyun karīm.
Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, "I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you." And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, "This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous."
إِنَّمَآ أَمۡوَٰلُكُمۡ وَأَوۡلَٰدُكُمۡ فِتۡنَةٞۚ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجۡرٌ عَظِيمٞ ١٥
Innamā amwālukum wa awlādukum fitnah, wallāhu ʿindahū ajrun ʿaẓīm.
Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allāh has with Him a great reward.
وَأَلَّوِ ٱسۡتَقَٰمُواْ عَلَى ٱلطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسۡقَيۡنَٰهُم مَّآءً غَدَقٗا ١٦
Wa allawistaqāmū ʿalaṭ-ṭarīqati laʾasqaynāhum māʾan ghadaqā.
And [Allāh revealed] that if they had remained straight on the way, We would have given them abundant rain [i.e., provision]
لِّنَفۡتِنَهُمۡ فِيهِۚ وَمَن يُعۡرِضۡ عَن ذِكۡرِ رَبِّهِۦ يَسۡلُكۡهُ عَذَابٗا صَعَدٗا ١٧
Linaftinahum fīh, wa may yuʿriḍ ʿan dhikri rabbihī yaslukhu ʿadhāban ṣaʿadā.
So We might test them therein. And whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord1 He will put into arduous punishment.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., refuses obedience to Him.
Tested through one another
وَكَذَٰلِكَ فَتَنَّا بَعۡضَهُم بِبَعۡضٖ لِّيَقُولُوٓاْ أَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡهِم مِّنۢ بَيۡنِنَآۗ أَلَيۡسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعۡلَمَ بِٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ ٥٣
Wa kadhālika fatannā baʿḍahum bibaʿḍil liyaqūlū ahāʾulāʾi mannallāhu ʿalayhim mim bayninā, alaysallāhu biʾaʿlama bish-shākirīn.
And thus We have tried some of them through others that they [i.e., the disbelievers] might say, "Is it these whom Allāh has favored among us?" Is not Allāh most knowing of those who are grateful?1
Footnotes (1)
- Those referred to in verses 52-54 are the poor Muslims who were sincere believers and students of the Prophet (ﷺ). The influential leaders of Quraysh had disdained to sit with them, saying to Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ), "Perhaps if you evicted them, we would follow you."
وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ إِلَّآ إِنَّهُمۡ لَيَأۡكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمۡشُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَسۡوَاقِۗ وَجَعَلۡنَا بَعۡضَكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٖ فِتۡنَةً أَتَصۡبِرُونَۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِيرٗا ٢٠
Wa mā arsalnā qablaka minal-mursalīna illā innahum layaʾkulūnaṭ-ṭaʿāma wa yamshūna fil-aswāq, wa jaʿalnā baʿḍakum libaʿḍin fitnatan ataṣbirūn, wa kāna rabbuka baṣīrā.
And We did not send before you, [O Muḥammad], any of the messengers except that they ate food and walked in the markets. And We have made some of you [people] as trial for others - will you have patience? And ever is your Lord, Seeing.
فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَضَرۡبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَثۡخَنتُمُوهُمۡ فَشُدُّواْ ٱلۡوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنَّۢا بَعۡدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَآءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ ٱلۡحَرۡبُ أَوۡزَارَهَاۚ ذَٰلِكَۖ وَلَوۡ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنۡهُمۡ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبۡلُوَاْ بَعۡضَكُم بِبَعۡضٖۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعۡمَٰلَهُمۡ ٤
Fa idhā laqītumul-ladhīna kafarū faḍarbar-riqābi ḥattā idhā athkhantumūhum fashuddul-wathāqa fa immā mannā baʿdu wa immā fidāʾan ḥattā taḍaʿal-ḥarbu awzārahā, dhālik, wa law yashāʾullāhu lantaṣara minhum wa lākil liyabluwa baʿḍakum bibaʿḍ, wal-ladhīna qutilū fī sabīlillāhi falay yuḍilla aʿmālahum.
So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure [their] bonds,1 and either [confer] favor2 afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens.3 That [is the command]. And if Allāh had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allāh - never will He waste their deeds.
Footnotes (3)
- i.e., take those remaining as captives.
- i.e., release them without ransom.
- i.e., its armor, machinery, etc., meaning "until the war is over."
Tested with commands and prohibitions
وَأَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ مُصَدِّقٗا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَمُهَيۡمِنًا عَلَيۡهِۖ فَٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ عَمَّا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّۚ لِكُلّٖ جَعَلۡنَا مِنكُمۡ شِرۡعَةٗ وَمِنۡهَاجٗاۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمۡ أُمَّةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ فِي مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمۡۖ فَٱسۡتَبِقُواْ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٰتِۚ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ جَمِيعٗا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُونَ ٤٨
Wa anzalnā ilaykal-kitāba bil-ḥaqqi muṣaddiqal limā bayna yadayhi minal-kitābi wa muhayminan ʿalayh, faḥkum baynahum bimā anzalallāh, wa lā tattabiʿ ahwāʾahum ʿammā jāʾaka minal-ḥaqq, likullin jaʿalnā minkum shirʿataw wa minhājā, wa law shāʾallāhu lajaʿalakum ummataw wāḥidataw wa lākil liyabluwakum fī mā ātākum, fastabiqul-khayrāt, ilallāhi marjiʿukum jamīʿan fayunabbiʾukum bimā kuntum fīhi takhtalifūn.
And We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allāh has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method.1 Had Allāh willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good.2 To Allāh is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.
Footnotes (2)
- Prior to this revelation, which supersedes all previous scriptures.
- i.e., obedience to Allāh according to what He enjoined in the Qur’ān and through the sunnah of His Prophet (ﷺ).
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَيَبۡلُوَنَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِشَيۡءٖ مِّنَ ٱلصَّيۡدِ تَنَالُهُۥٓ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَرِمَاحُكُمۡ لِيَعۡلَمَ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَخَافُهُۥ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِۚ فَمَنِ ٱعۡتَدَىٰ بَعۡدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَهُۥ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ ٩٤
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū layabluwannakumullāhu bishayʾim minaṣ-ṣaydi tanāluhū aydīkum wa rimāḥukum liyaʿlamallāhu may yakhāfuhū bil-ghayb, famaniʿtadā baʿda dhālika falahū ʿadhābun alīm.
O you who have believed, Allāh will surely test you through something of the game that your hands and spears [can] reach, that Allāh may make evident those who fear Him unseen. And whoever transgresses after that - for him is a painful punishment.
وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّتِي نَقَضَتۡ غَزۡلَهَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنكَٰثٗا تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيۡمَٰنَكُمۡ دَخَلَۢا بَيۡنَكُمۡ أَن تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِيَ أَرۡبَىٰ مِنۡ أُمَّةٍۚ إِنَّمَا يَبۡلُوكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦۚ وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ مَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُونَ ٩٢
Wa lā takūnū kal-latī naqaḍat ghazlahā mim baʿdi quwwatin ankāthan tattakhidhūna aymānakum dakhalam baynakum an takūna ummatun hiya arbā min ummah, innamā yablūkumullāhu bih, wa layubayyinanna lakum yawmal-qiyāmati mā kuntum fīhi takhtalifūn.
And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong [by] taking your oaths as [means of] deceit between you because one community is more plentiful [in number or wealth] than another community.1 Allāh only tries you thereby. And He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., do not swear falsely or break a treaty or contract merely for a worldly advantage.
The prophets and earlier peoples were tested too
وَإِذۡ نَجَّيۡنَٰكُم مِّنۡ ءَالِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ يَسُومُونَكُمۡ سُوٓءَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ يُذَبِّحُونَ أَبۡنَآءَكُمۡ وَيَسۡتَحۡيُونَ نِسَآءَكُمۡۚ وَفِي ذَٰلِكُم بَلَآءٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ عَظِيمٞ ٤٩
Wa idh najjaynākum min āli firʿawna yasūmūnakum sūʾal-ʿadhābi yudhabbiḥūna abnāʾakum wa yastaḥyūna nisāʾakum, wa fī dhālikum balāʾum mir rabbikum ʿaẓīm.
And [recall] when We saved you [i.e., your forefathers] from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with the worst torment, slaughtering your [newborn] sons and keeping your females alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.
۞ وَإِذِ ٱبۡتَلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَٰتٖ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامٗاۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِيۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهۡدِي ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ ١٢٤
Wa idhibtalā ibrāhīma rabbuhū bikalimātin fa atammahunn, qāla innī jāʿiluka lin-nāsi imāmā, qāla wa min dhurriyyatī, qāla lā yanālu ʿahdiẓ-ẓālimīn.
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with words [i.e., commands] and he fulfilled them. [Allāh] said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." [Abraham] said, "And of my descendants?" [Allāh] said, "My covenant does not include the wrongdoers."
فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِٱلۡجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُبۡتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٖ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنۡهُ فَلَيۡسَ مِنِّي وَمَن لَّمۡ يَطۡعَمۡهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّيٓ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱغۡتَرَفَ غُرۡفَةَۢ بِيَدِهِۦۚ فَشَرِبُواْ مِنۡهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنۡهُمۡۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُۥ هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ قَالُواْ لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا ٱلۡيَوۡمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَٰقُواْ ٱللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٖ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتۡ فِئَةٗ كَثِيرَةَۢ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ٢٤٩
Falammā faṣala ṭālūtu bil-junūdi qāla innallāha mubtalīkum binaharin faman shariba minhu falaysa minnī wa mal lam yaṭʿamhu fa innahū minnī illā manightarafa ghurfatam biyadih, fasharibū minhu illā qalīlam minhum, falammā jāwazahū huwa wal-ladhīna āmanū maʿahū qālū lā ṭāqata lanal-yawma bijālūta wa junūdih, qālal-ladhīna yaẓunnūna annahum mulāqullāhi kam min fiʾatin qalīlatin ghalabat fiʾatan kathīratam biʾidhnillāh, wallāhu maʿaṣ-ṣābirīn.
And when Saul went forth with the soldiers, he said, "Indeed, Allāh will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand." But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said, "There is no power for us today against Goliath and his soldiers." But those who were certain that they would meet Allāh said, "How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allāh. And Allāh is with the patient."
وَسۡـَٔلۡهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡقَرۡيَةِ ٱلَّتِي كَانَتۡ حَاضِرَةَ ٱلۡبَحۡرِ إِذۡ يَعۡدُونَ فِي ٱلسَّبۡتِ إِذۡ تَأۡتِيهِمۡ حِيتَانُهُمۡ يَوۡمَ سَبۡتِهِمۡ شُرَّعٗا وَيَوۡمَ لَا يَسۡبِتُونَ لَا تَأۡتِيهِمۡۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَبۡلُوهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفۡسُقُونَ ١٦٣
Wasʾalhum ʿanil-qaryatil-latī kānat ḥāḍiratal-baḥri idh yaʿdūna fis-sabti idh taʾtīhim ḥītānuhum yawma sabtihim shurraʿaw wa yawma lā yasbitūna lā taʾtīhim, kadhālika nablūhum bimā kānū yafsuqūn.
And ask them about the town that was by the sea - when they transgressed in [the matter of] the sabbath - when their fish came to them openly on their sabbath day, and the day they had no sabbath they did not come to them. Thus did We give them trial because they were defiantly disobedient.
إِذۡ تَمۡشِيٓ أُخۡتُكَ فَتَقُولُ هَلۡ أَدُلُّكُمۡ عَلَىٰ مَن يَكۡفُلُهُۥۖ فَرَجَعۡنَٰكَ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّكَ كَيۡ تَقَرَّ عَيۡنُهَا وَلَا تَحۡزَنَۚ وَقَتَلۡتَ نَفۡسٗا فَنَجَّيۡنَٰكَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَمِّ وَفَتَنَّٰكَ فُتُونٗاۚ فَلَبِثۡتَ سِنِينَ فِيٓ أَهۡلِ مَدۡيَنَ ثُمَّ جِئۡتَ عَلَىٰ قَدَرٖ يَٰمُوسَىٰ ٤٠
Idh tamshī ukhtuka fataqūlu hal adullukum ʿalā may yakfuluh, farajaʿnāka ilā ummika kay taqarra ʿaynuhā wa lā taḥzan, wa qatalta nafsan fanajjaynāka minal-ghammi wa fatannāka futūnā, falabithta sinīna fī ahli madyana thumma jiʾta ʿalā qadariy yāmūsā.
[And We favored you] when your sister went and said, 'Shall I direct you to someone who will be responsible for him?' So We restored you to your mother that she might be content and not grieve. And you killed someone,1 but We saved you from retaliation and tried you with a [severe] trial. And you remained [some] years among the people of Madyan. Then you came [here] at the decreed time, O Moses.
Footnotes (1)
- The Copt who died after being struck by Moses.
قَالَ فَإِنَّا قَدۡ فَتَنَّا قَوۡمَكَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِكَ وَأَضَلَّهُمُ ٱلسَّامِرِيُّ ٨٥
Qāla fa innā qad fatannā qawmaka mim baʿdika wa aḍallahumus-sāmiriyy.
[Allāh] said, "But indeed, We have tried your people after you [departed], and the Sāmirī1 has led them astray."
Footnotes (1)
- Translated as "the Samaritan" (from Samaria), a hypocrite among them who led the Children of Israel into idol-worship.
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ وَإِن كُنَّا لَمُبۡتَلِينَ ٣٠
Inna fī dhālika laʾāyātiw wa in kunnā lamubtalīn.
Indeed in that are signs, and indeed, We are ever testing [Our servants].
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلۡبَلَٰٓؤُاْ ٱلۡمُبِينُ ١٠٦
Inna hādhā lahuwal-balāʾul-mubīn.
Indeed, this was the clear trial.
قَالَ لَقَدۡ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعۡجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِۦۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡخُلَطَآءِ لَيَبۡغِي بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَقَلِيلٞ مَّا هُمۡۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُۥدُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّٰهُ فَٱسۡتَغۡفَرَ رَبَّهُۥ وَخَرَّۤ رَاكِعٗاۤ وَأَنَابَ۩ ٢٤
Qāla laqad ẓalamaka bisuʾāli naʿjatika ilā niʿājih, wa inna kathīram minal-khulaṭāʾi layabghī baʿḍuhum ʿalā baʿḍin illal-ladhīna āmanū wa ʿamiluṣ-ṣāliḥāti wa qalīlum mā hum, wa ẓanna dāwūdu annamā fatannāhu fastaghfara rabbahū wa kharra rākiʿaw wa anāb.
[David] said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and few are they." And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord1 and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allāh].
Footnotes (1)
- For his errors, such as fear and suspicion of the two men at the outset, any mistake in judgement he might have made, concealed feelings of partiality, etc.
وَلَقَدۡ فَتَنَّا سُلَيۡمَٰنَ وَأَلۡقَيۡنَا عَلَىٰ كُرۡسِيِّهِۦ جَسَدٗا ثُمَّ أَنَابَ ٣٤
Wa laqad fatannā sulaymāna wa alqaynā ʿalā kursiyyihī jasadan thumma anāb.
And We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body;1 then he returned.2
Footnotes (2)
- Said to be a devil or a lifeless body (one without capability), but Allāh alone knows.
- To sovereignty and to Allāh in repentance.
۞ وَلَقَدۡ فَتَنَّا قَبۡلَهُمۡ قَوۡمَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَجَآءَهُمۡ رَسُولٞ كَرِيمٌ ١٧
Wa laqad fatannā qablahum qawma firʿawna wa jāʾahum rasūlun karīm.
And We had already tried before them the people of Pharaoh, and there came to them a noble messenger [i.e., Moses],
إِنَّا مُرۡسِلُواْ ٱلنَّاقَةِ فِتۡنَةٗ لَّهُمۡ فَٱرۡتَقِبۡهُمۡ وَٱصۡطَبِرۡ ٢٧
Innā mursilun-nāqati fitnatal lahum fartaqibhum waṣṭabir.
Indeed, We are sending the she-camel as trial for them, so watch them and be patient.1
Footnotes (1)
- This and the following verse are an address to Ṣāliḥ (upon him be peace).