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wa-la-nabluwannakum ḥattā naʿlama l-mujāhidīna minkum wa-ṣ-ṣābirīna wa-nabluwa ʾakhbārakum
We will surely test you until We ascertain those of you who wage jihad and those who are steadfast, and We shall appraise your record.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Muhammad - Verse 31
31. And surely We will try you till We test those who strive hard [for Allah’s Cause] and the patient and We shall test your facts [and deeds].
The word Ibtila’ may indicate trying people to discover the truth and may also denote making diverse preparations for giving vent to innermost feelings such as those mentioned in the Verse.9 Na’lama (“we let know”) is from ‘alam (“mark”) rather than ‘ilm (knowledge), the antonym of jahl (“ignorance”) connoting that they will be known through Divine Trial. To lay further emphasis and demonstrate the ways of distinguishing believers from hypocrites the Verse reads:
“Surely We will try you till We test those who strive hard [for Allah’s Cause] and the patient.”
Thus pseudo-warriors and unprincipled and characterless hypocrites may be exposed. The trial is vast in scope and covers patience and clemency in fulfilling all obligations; however, taking into consideration the word mujahidin:
(“those who strive [in the Cause of Allah]”)
in the preceding and following Verses indicates that trial on the battlefield is intended. Such battlefield is the arena of a hard and great trial in which few people may conceal their true intentions. The Verse ends in:
“We shall test your facts [and deeds].”
Many an exeget have held that akhbar (“facts”) denotes deeds since whose news spreads among people. Some have also maintained that the word ad hoc is used in the sense of innermost secrets since they are reflected by deeds. The word may also denote the news which people communicate concerning their state or their responsibilities. For instance hypocrites:
“had already made a covenant with Allah not to turn their backs” 10
to the battlefield but they broke it. A number of them also asked for permission of the Prophet (S) to return from the battlefield saying:
“‘Our homes lie open [to the enemy].’ And they lay not open. They but wished to flee” 11 .
Thus Allah tries deeds, words, and facts. It is not the first time that people are informed of being tried so that a distinction may be drawn between true believers and hypocrites and those of frail faith. The point is raised in many instances in the Qur’an.
“Till We test those who strive hard [for Allah’s Cause]”
does not connote that Allah is unaware of them but the Omniscient God is fully aware of them and such people and their stance are to be exposed through His Omniscience.
Footnotes