Page 13 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

(Ta-Ha, 85)

“Then he brought out (of the fire) before the (people) the image of a calf. It seemed to
low; so they said: ”This is your god, and the god of Moses, but (Moses) has
forgotten!’”

Could they not see that it could not return them an answer, and that it had no power
either to harm them or to do them good?
Aaron had already, before this said to them:

“O my people! you are being tested in this: for truly, your Lord is Allah Most
Gracious; so follow me and obey my command.”
(Ta-Ha, 88-90)

Another verse confirming that fitnah leads the unwary astray is as follows:

Soon you will see, and they will see, which of you is afflicted with madness. Truly, it
is your Lord who knows best, which of you have strayed from His path: and He
knows best those who receive true guidance.
(Al-Qalam, 5-7)

Fitnah As A Test

The positive attitude one takes at the time of a fitnah is a means by which one can feel
closer to Allah. Fitnah is surely a way by which a believer demonstrates his perseverance and
commitment to Allah and is a means of attaining personal maturity in His sight.
For instance all-out war is a time of great trial. No matter what the circumstances are,
believers, and only believers, display the attitude explained in the Qur’an:
When the Believers saw the confederate forces, they said: “This is what Allah and His
messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger told us what was true.”
And it only added to their faith and their zeal in obedience.
(Al-Ahzab, 22)

Men said to them: “A great army is gathering against you,therefore fear them.” But it
only increased their faith. They said: “For us Allah suffices, and He is the best disposer
of affairs.”
(Al-Imran, 173)
No matter how hard a trial may be, believers always conduct themselves in such a way as
to merit the pleasure of Allah.
What seems to be fortunate and good for believers may well be a reason to go astray for
unbelievers. The verse below points to another trial, a trial regarding the number of angels in
hell. What becomes a matter of going astray for unbelievers, may be good news for believers
and may strengthen their faith.

Over it are nineteen. And We have appointed none but angels as guardians of the fire;
and We have fixed their number only as a trial for unbelievers,in order that the people
of the book may arrive at certainty, and the believers may increase in faith, and that
no doubts may be left for the people of the book and the believers, and that those in
whose hearts is a disease and the unbelievers may say, “What symbol does Allah
intend by this?” Thus Allah leaves to stray whom He pleases, and guides whom He
pleases: and none can know the forces of your Lord, except Himself and this is no
more than a warning to mankind.
(Al-Muddaththir, 30-31)