“Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be tested?”

[Surah Al-‘Ankabut, 29:2]

When this Verse was revealed, the conditions prevailing in Makkah were extremely testing. Whoever accepted Islam was made a target of tyranny, humiliation and persecution. If he was a slave or a poor person, he was beaten and subjected to unbearable tortures. If he was a shopkeeper or artisan, he was made to suffer economic hardships, even starvation. If he was a member of an influential family, his own people would tease and harass him in different ways and make life difficult for him.

This had created an atmosphere of fear and fright in Makkah, due to which most people were afraid of believing in the Prophet (SAW) although they acknowledged him to be a true Prophet in their hearts. Whereas some others who believed would lose heart soon afterwards and would submit and yield to the disbelievers when they were confronted with dreadful persecutions.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “When Allah created Paradise, He said to Jibreel: ‘Go and look at it.’ Jibreel went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will fail to enter it.’

Allah then surrounded it with disagreeable things, and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ He went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, I am afraid that no one will enter it.’

When Allah created Hell, He said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ Jibreel went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will enter it.‘

Allah then surrounded it with desirable things and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ Jibreel went, looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might and power, I am afraid that no one will remain who does not enter it.’ [Abu Dawud]

The path to Jannah is one of difficulty, and the path to Jahanam is one of ease. The believers will be tested in many ways to provide evidence of their Imaan. Some will experience poverty and oppression, whilst others with hunger, illness and suffering. For all of these testing situations, the commands and prohibitions of Allah (SWT) remain constant and do not change. Irrespective of the circumstances, Allah (SWT) requires that the believers fulfill all of their obligations and stay away from the prohibited if they wish to enter Jannah.

“And those who believe and do righteous deeds – We will surely admit them among the righteous [into Paradise].”

[Surah Al-‘Ankabut, 29:9]

Dear Muslims, we must realise that merely professing to believe in Allah (SWT) and Islam is not enough. We must remain firm upon our Deen whatever may come in terms of difficulty and sacrifice. For every test that we manage to persevere, withstand and overcome will be evidence of our Imaan on Yawm-ul-Qiymah insha’Allah.

“Say, ’Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.”

[Surah Al-‘An’aam, 6:162]