English Translation of Al-Quran
[28].Surah Al-Ankabut [The Spider]
Ayat 1. Alif-Lam-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.]
Ayat 2. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested.
Tafseer of Surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider) Ayat 1 & 2. A.L.M. (For these Abbreviated Letters, the Muqatta’at, on which a general discussion will be found in Appendix I (at the end of this Surah). The particular letters, Alif, Lam, Mim, are found prefixed to this Surah, and Surahs 3, 29, 30, 31 and 32 (six in all). In 2 and 3 the argument is about the rise and fall of nations, their past, and their future in history, with ordinances for the new universal people of Islam. In Surah 29 a similar argument about nations leads off to the mystery of Life and Death, Failure and Triumph, Past and Future, in the history of individual souls. The burden of 30 is that Allah is the source of all things and all things return to Him. In 31 and 32 the same lesson is enforced: Allah is the Creator and He will be the Judge on the Last Day. There is therefore a common thread, the mystery of Life and Death, Beginning and End. Much has been written about the meaning of these letters, but most of it is pure conjecture. Some commentators are content to recognize them as some mystic symbols of which it is unprofitable to discuss the meaning by more verbal logic. We are asked to contrast, in our present life the real inner life against the outer life, and learn from the past about the struggles of the soul which uphold Allah’s Truth, against the environment of evil which resists it, and to turn our thoughts to the Ma’ad, or man’s future destiny in the Hereafter. Ayat 2. Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, “We believe”, and that they will not be tested? Mere lip profession of Faith is not enough. It must be tried and tested in the real turmoil of life. The test will be applied in all kinds of circumstances, in individual life and in relation to the environment around us, to see whether we can strive constantly and put Allah above Self. Much pain, sorrow, and self-sacrifice may be necessary, not because they are good in themselves, but because they will purify’ us, like fire applied to a goldsmith’s crucible to burn out the dross.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Ma’qil bin Yasar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, “The reward of worship performed at a time of trials is equal in reward to an emigration to me.”
[Muslim Book 41, Chapter 24, Hadith # 7042]
Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ankabut Ayat 02. “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested” When turmoil is rampant and society is plagued with evils, the worship and obedience of Allah becomes very difficult. The reason being that in such a situation evils are widespread and therefore everyone easily inclines to them. In such circumstances, worship of Allah and compliance of His Orders are merits of great eminence and their reward have been likened to the reward of going for Hijrah (Emigration) to Al-Madinah at that time when this migration was Wajib (obligatory). Emigration was at that time obligatory and to bid farewell to home, property, business and homeland was a sacrifice of the highest order. But this sacrifice was worth its reward. A similar reward is promised to those who will be obedient to Allah and worship Him in an age of mischief. A believer should avoid taking part in turmoil and occupy himself worshipping Allah instead.
