Page 12 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

Fitnah: Straying From the True Way

Some incidents are specially designed by Allah to reveal the attitude of unbelievers. Some
verses in the Qur’an relate this fact:
Thus We tried some of them by comparison with others, so that they should say: “Is it
these then that Allah has favored from amongst us?” Does not Allah know best those
who are grateful?
(Al-Anaam, 53)

A similar verse follows:
Never did We send a messenger or a prophet before you, but, when he framed a
desire, Satan tampered with it. But Allah will cancel any vain intervention by Satan,
and will confirm (and establish) His signs: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom:
He makes Satan’s interjections a trial for those in whose hearts there is a disease and
who have become hardened truly, the wrong-doers are in open schism and far from
the truth.
(Al-Hajj, 52-53)

In the verse below it is remarked that in some cases property is given to people to test
them:
Do not strain your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to
some of them, or for the splendour of the life of this world, for with these We seek
only to test them: but the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.
(Ta-Ha, 131)

Rather than just the testing of human faith, these trials are created to verify the rebellion of
certain people, as well as disclosing the truth about them. This is explained in another verse:
Let neither their wealth nor their (following in) sons dazzle you; in reality, Allah’s plan
is to punish them with these things in this life, so that their souls may perish in their
(very) denial of Allah.
(Al-Tawba, 55)

Allah states in the Qur’an that He has left some people astray:
Then do you see such a person as takes as his god his own vain desire? Allah has,
knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart (and
understanding), and put a veil over his eyes. Who, then, will guide him after Allah has
withdrawn His guidance? Will you not then receive admonition?
(Al-Jathiya, 23)

There is no other recourse for the people whom Allah has left astray:

Why should you be divided into two parties about the hypocrites? Allah has upset
them for their (evil) deeds. Would you guide those whom Allah has confounded? For
those whom Allah has confounded, there can be no guidance.
(An-Nisa, 88)

Straying With Fitnah

From the foregoing we know that fitnah, in certain cases and at certain times, might lead
people astray. The Qur’an repeatedly recalls the stories of people in the past who went astray.
For instance, when Moses was away from his people, they followed Samiri, who made a statue
of a calf, and worshipped it. This is recounted in the Qur’an: as “being led astray”
(Allah) said: “We have tested your people in your absence: the Samiri has led them
astray.”