Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 155 of 286
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ
Translation
We shall certainly test you with fear and hunger, and loss of property, lives, and crops. But [Prophet], give good news to those who are steadfast,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse from Surah Al-Baqarah begins with a direct and emphatic statement from Allah, addressed to the believers, particularly the early Muslim community after the Hijrah (migration). It establishes a foundational truth about their journey of faith.
The Certainty of Testing
The verse opens with "وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ" (And We will surely test you). The Arabic here uses a double layer of emphasis: the 'lam' at the beginning and the 'nun' at the end of the verb. This is not a possibility, but a definite, undeniable promise from Allah. As al-Jadwal highlights, this linguistic structure underscores that these trials *will* happen. The word *nabluwanakum* (نَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ), as explained by al-Zamakhshari, means a testing, much like someone examining a situation to see if you will remain steadfast in obedience, patient, and submissive to Allah's command and decree. Ibn Ashur further connects this to earlier verses, indicating that even with Allah's complete favors and guidance, worldly challenges are part of the journey to strengthen faith and increase spiritual elevation.
A Small Measure of Hardship
Crucially, Allah then says these trials will be "بِشَىْءٍ" (bi shay'in - with *something* of). This small, seemingly simple word carries immense meaning. Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur emphasize that *shay'* here means "a little bit" or "a small measure" of each difficulty. This is not a complete overwhelming hardship, but a portion. Ibn Ashur contrasts this with descriptions of punishment for other nations, where fear and hunger were described as a "garment" completely enveloping them. Here, the word choice offers consolation and reassurance, letting believers know that while tests are certain, Allah's mercy is also present, making the burdens bearable. It prepares the soul for trials by presenting them as manageable.
Specific Forms of Trial
The verse then lists the categories of these trials: "مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ" (of fear, and hunger, and a decrease in wealth, and lives, and fruits). These were very real challenges for the early Muslims facing opposition, war, and displacement. Al-Razi notes that fear could come from conflict with enemies, hunger from scarcity of provisions, loss of wealth from spending in jihad or neglect of farms during war, and loss of lives from martyrdom or even reduced birth rates (Ibn Ashur). The mention of "نقص" (naqs - decrease) rather than complete annihilation reinforces the idea of "a little bit" of each, reminding us that even in hardship, Allah's trials are measured.
Glad Tidings for the Patient
The verse concludes with "وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ" (And give glad tidings to the patient). This marks a beautiful shift in address. Allah, having declared the certainty of tests, then commands the Prophet (or anyone who can convey good news) to deliver reassurance. As Ibn Ashur points out, Allah Himself takes on the "burden" of announcing the trials, but assigns the "honor" of conveying the good news and reward to the Prophet. The term "الصَّٰبِرِينَ" (al-Sabirin) refers to those who embody patience. Al-Razi expands on the multifaceted nature of patience, encompassing steadfastness in the face of calamity, self-control in prosperity, courage in battle, and forbearance in anger. This verse, by its very wording, prepares the heart for the inevitable struggles of life, offering a profound linguistic comfort and guidance towards the virtue of patience.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155 is discussed in 22 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
- Patience (Sabr) (key verse)
- Trials (Ibtila) (key verse)
- Glad Tidings (Bushra)
- Firmness (Thabat)
- Anguish (Ghamm)
- Fitnah
- Divine Decree (Qadar)
- Wealth (Mal)
- The Earth (Ard)
- Security (Amn)
- Defrauding (Bakhs)
- Mercy (Rahmah)
- Contentment (Rida)
- Righteousness (Birr)
- Pessimism (Tasha'um)
- Loss (Khusran)
- The Heart (Qalb)
- Forgetfulness (Nisyan)
- Evil (Sharr)
- Weakness (Da'f)
- Illness (Marad)
- Torment (Adhab)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.