Surat Al-Ankaboot was revealed in Mecca close to the time before the Hijra when Muslims were facing major difficulties from the disbelievers. The theme of the Surat is that life is a series of trials and success will always be for those who are truthful in their belief in Allah and face these trials with patience and resolve. The Surat starts with:

أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتۡرَكُوٓاْ أَن يَقُولُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمۡ لَا يُفۡتَنُونَ (٢) وَلَقَدۡ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ‌ۖ فَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْ وَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبِينَ (٣)

Do people think that they will be left (at ease) because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested. (2) Indeed, We have tested those before them. So, Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. (29:2-3)

This Ayat addresses the often-raised question: “Why are we subjected to trials since Allah knows everyone’s response in advance?

The literal translation on the term (فَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ) is “So Allah will surely know”. This literal translation contradicts the attribute that Allah knows everything.  We need to realize that Allah speaks to us in a language that we understand while taking int account our constraint of time and space.  But when we speak about Allah’s actions, we should consider that He is neither constrained by time nor by space and thus associating Allah’s actions with time is not valid.   We also need to realize that while Allah is All-Knowing, His knowledge has no influence on our actions.  Ina addition, it is an element of absolute justice that a judge does not use his own special knowledge to make a ruling, Therefore, Allah will only judge us based testimonies, recordings, and eyewitnesses.

The trails that we are subjected to are different levels. Everyone will be tested according to his/her capabilities.   Every person will be judged based on his/her response to these trials.  A general grade of pass or fail will be given to everyone in the Hereafter.   Within each general grade, there are rankings to distinguish between high performers.   We all aspire not only to have a passing grade but also to achieve the highest grade that allows us a place in the Ferdous Al-Ala.  Those who receive a failing grade will have their ranking with the worst ranking given to the hypocrites who will deserve a place in the worst place in Hell.

Trials are different, the most challenging trial is that involving belief to differentiate between true believers and hypocrites. Allah says:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ فَإِذَآ أُوذِىَ فِى ٱللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتۡنَةَ ٱلنَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَٮِٕن جَآءَ نَصۡرٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا ڪُنَّا مَعَكُمۡ‌ۚ أَوَلَيۡسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعۡلَمَ بِمَا فِى صُدُورِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (١٠) وَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِينَ (١١)

Among the people there are those who say: “We believe in Allah”, but if they are harmed for their belief in Allah, they consider the trial of the people equal to the punishment of Allah, and if victory comes from your Lord, they will say: “Verily! We were with you (helping you).” Is it not that Allah knows well what lies in the hearts of all creations. (10) Verily, Allah will certainly know those who believe, and He will certainly know the hypocrites.  (29:10-11)

Note:  Reflecting on the current condition in Gaza, when the people of Gaza gain victory, insha’Allah, I wonder how many people, particularly those leaders of Islamic countries, will claim that they were supporting them.

Every time we pass a test from Allah, we build up the chest of our treasure in eternity.  This is what the Prophet taught us.  Whether we are tested with misfortune or with fortune, our success in passing the test depends on the nature of our reaction to it.  The Prophet (PBUH) said:

عَنْ أبي يَحْيَى صُهَيْبِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ  قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ: عَجَباً لأمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ لَهُ خَيْرٌ، وَلَيْسَ ذَلِكَ لأِحَدٍ إِلاَّ للْمُؤْمِن: إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْراً لَهُ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خيْراً لَهُ. رواه مسلم.

“I wonder about the state of a believer, it is all good. And this is for no one but the believer. If he receives fortunes, he thanks Allah and that is good for him. And if misfortune inflicts him, he is patient and that is good for him”. (Muslim)

One of the difficult trials that is mentioned in the Surat is that by one’s own parent who pressure their child to associate others with Allah while the child is commanded by Allah to be kind to them.  Allah gives the guidance regarding how to balance kindness with lack of obedience:

وَوَصَّيۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٲلِدَيۡهِ حُسۡنً۬ا‌ۖ وَإِن جَـٰهَدَاكَ لِتُشۡرِكَ بِى مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌ۬ فَلَا تُطِعۡهُمَآ‌ۚ إِلَىَّ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ (٨)

 “And We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; but if they strive to make you associate with Me that which you have no knowledge, then do not obey them. To Me is your return and I shall tell you what you used to do.” (29:8)

The word “Shirk” does not necessarily mean to worship another god. Shirk is broader.  It includes attempts by the parents to convince their children to comprise their morals to achieve some materialistic gains on the belief that their fortune in life is in the hands of other people.    Also, parents may intercede on behalf of someone to force their children who are in position of authority to give a position to an undeserving candidate. Parents may also push their children to violate Allah’s command thinking that this will help them in securing jobs.  This may happen regarding proper Islamic dress for girls. Those parents forget that Allah says:

وَڪَأَيِّن مِّن دَآبَّةٍ۬ لَّا تَحۡمِلُ رِزۡقَهَا ٱللَّهُ يَرۡزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمۡ‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ (٦٠)

And how many creatures there is that does carry its [own] provision. Allah provides provision for it as well as to you. And He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (29:60)

The Surat narrates many trials involving Prophets such as Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Lut (Lot), Shu’aib and Musa (Moses) (Peace upon them) and how they faced trials.  Prophet Nuh’s trial was the responsibility of delivering the Da’wa to Allah and his trials lasted for 950 years.

وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمۡ أَلۡفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمۡسِينَ عَامً۬ا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلطُّوفَانُ وَهُمۡ ظَـٰلِمُونَ (١٤) فَأَنجَيۡنَـٰهُ وَأَصۡحَـٰبَ ٱلسَّفِينَةِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهَآ ءَايَةً۬ لِّلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (١٥)

And We sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years minus fifty years. Then the flood seized them, and they were wrongdoers. (14) But We saved him and the people of the ship, and We made it a sign for all the worlds. (29:14-15)

The Ayat referring to the Prophets’ trials show that their patience and perseverance have always led to success and comfort. Realizing the extent of the Prophets’ trials should help us to endure our trials which are certainly much less difficult than those of the Prophets. We also realize from the stories of the Prophets that Allah’s assistance will also come with the trials.

The Surat highlights the worldly punishment of those who failed in their trails and insisted on their disbelief and rejection of the guidance delivered to them by Allah’s messengers.

فَكُلاًّ أَخَذۡنَا بِذَنۢبِهِۦ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ حَاصِبً۬ا وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ خَسَفۡنَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ أَغۡرَقۡنَا‌ۚ وَمَا ڪَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظۡلِمَهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن ڪَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ (٤٠)

“Thus, We seized each one of them for his sin. To some of them We sent a violent wind (tornado), and some of them we seized by the acoustic blast, and some of them we caused the earth to swallow, and among them were those whom We drowned. And Allah was not to do injustice to them, but it was they who did injustice to themselves.” (29:40)

 Typically, when people face trials, they automatically rush to Allah.  But, once they are out of the difficulty, they may revert to other than Allah after Allah removes their suffering.

فَإِذَا رَڪِبُواْ فِى ٱلۡفُلۡكِ دَعَوُاْ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّٮٰهُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡبَرِّ إِذَا هُمۡ يُشۡرِكُونَ (٦٥)

And when they embark on a ship (and face storm), they supplicate Allah, having their faith purely to Him. But when He saves them (and brings them) to the land, at once they associate others with Him (29:65)

In the following Ayat, Allah gives a parable of people who seek guardians and refuge in others than Allah:

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتۡ بَيۡتً۬ا‌ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوۡهَنَ ٱلۡبُيُوتِ لَبَيۡتُ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ‌ۖ لَوۡ ڪَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ (٤١)

“The example of those who take guardians other than Allah is the likeness of a spider who builds (for itself) a house, while indeed the frailest of houses is the spider’s house, if they but knew. (29:41)

 Those who turn to others than Allah are like seeking help from weak and fragile resources that cannot even protect themselves.   Allah sets parables in the Quran as an educational tool to give people a clearer idea about the subject and thus these parables need to be seriously studied to draw lessons from it.  But understanding these parables is a measure of the reader’s skills and knowledge. Thus, early Muslim used to cry if they don’t understand a parable as it will be a statement about the lack of their intelligence since Allah says:

وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡأَمۡثَـٰلُ نَضۡرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ‌ۖ وَمَا يَعۡقِلُهَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡعَـٰلِمُونَ (٤٣)

And We cite these examples to the people, but no one will grasp their meaning except the knowledgeable ones. (29:43)

So, when Allah sets for us a similitude, we should seek to understand the relevance. So why did Allah use the frail spider web as a similitude? Would anyone go to a frail weak structure for protection?  Studying spider webs proved that the spider web is not a frail structure. Spider silk is five times stronger than steel. However, such a strong material does not offer security for any insect that seeks shelter and protection in a spider web. The insect gets stuck on the sticky web and gets stung by the spider to keep the insect alive but paralyzed. The insect suffers a slow death as the spider repeatedly sucks its blood while keeping it alive for as many days as it would last.

The insect focused on the materialistic strength of the web but failed to comprehend the horrible destiny that its decision led to. In other words, what looked like a safe haven, turned out to be a trap for extended suffering and total destruction. Similarly, people who seek security by someone other than Allah will end up being captured, paralyzed, enslaved, and abused by those who provided what appeared to be a safe haven. Just like spider webs for unwary insects!!   (If you are teaching this Ayat to the Youth, ask him to study the spider because there are many elements about its nature that give more insight to this parable.)

We should always remember that no matter how long a trial may take in worldly life, it is extremely short in terms of the infinity in the Hereafter.   Allah gives a comparison between this worldly life and the life in the Hereafter by saying:

وَمَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا لَهۡوٌ۬ وَلَعِبٌ۬‌ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةَ لَهِىَ ٱلۡحَيَوَانُ‌ۚ لَوۡ ڪَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ (٦٤)

The life of the world is nothing but amusement and a play, whereas the home of the Hereafter is the only real (and true) Life, if they but knew. (29:64)

In the Quran, when Allah referred to this life, He used the term Hayat (حياة).  But when Allah referred to life in the Hereafter, He used an exaggeration term for life which is the unique term (ٱلۡحَيَوَانُ‌ۚ ) “Hayawaan”.  Allah ended the Ayat with “if they but know”, to motivate us to search for the meaning of this word.  Here one finds that it linguistically means a life without end, a unique life, and a true life.

Allah identified for us the tools that will help us in facing any trial. These are reciting and conveying the Quran, establishing prayers and remembrance of Allah.

ٱتۡلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنكَرِ‌ۗ وَلَذِكۡرُ ٱللَّهِ أَڪۡبَرُ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تَصۡنَعُونَ (٤٥)

Recite (Convey to others) what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer restrains one form shameful deeds and evil (deeds that run counter to reason and pure instinct).  And the remembrance of Allah is indeed greater. And Allah knows what you do. (29:45)

While prayers are a form of remembrance of Allah that is intended to cleanse the person’s heart from the temptations of engaging in evil deeds, continuous remembrance of Allah is required to ensure that one does not fall into temptations while engaged with the rest of society in his affairs. Therefore, the remembrance of Allah is greater in the sense that it is 24 hrs a day activity.   Also, remembrance of Allah is not a mere uttering of Allah’s names, but it is state of mind.

The Surat ends with an Ayat that should comfort the believers that Allah.  It says that Allah will help them to ensure that they do not fail their tests.

وَٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُواْ فِينَا لَنَہۡدِيَنَّہُمۡ سُبُلَنَا‌ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ (٦٩)

As for those who strive in our ways, We will surely guide them to Our paths, and indeed Allah is with the Muhsineen (those who do good by always being aware of Allah’s presence). (29:69)

This Ayat was revealed in Makkah when military Jihad had not yet been decreed. Thus, this Ayat refers to striving against oneself in facing the trials. As if it says, ‘If you strive against yourselves and succeed, you are guaranteed victory over the internal and external enemies.

The Surat identifies the four key attributes of those who are successful in the hereafter. These attributes are belief, doing good deeds, patience, and reliance on Allah. Allah says:

وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ غُرَفً۬ا تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِہَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا‌ۚ نِعۡمَ أَجۡرُ ٱلۡعَـٰمِلِينَ (٥٨) ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّہِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ (٥٩(

And those who have believed and done righteous deeds – We will surely accommodate them in mansions of the Paradise beneath which rivers flow, where they will live forever. Excellent is the reward of the workers (58) Who have been patient and upon their Lord rely. (29:58-59)