Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 155 of 286

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

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

Wisdom

Allah, the All-Knowing and All-Wise, addresses the believers in this profound verse, informing them of an inescapable reality of this earthly life: the certainty of trials. He declares, "وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ" (And We will surely test you with something). This isn't a mere possibility, but a divine assurance. The word "بِشَىْءٍۢ" (with something, a portion) is significant; as scholars like al-Qurtubi and al-Saadi point out, it indicates that these tests will be a *share* or *amount* of these difficulties, not their crushing totality, for Allah intends to purify and distinguish, not to destroy.

The Tests We Face

The verse then specifies the forms these trials will take: "مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ" (of fear, and hunger, and a loss of wealth, and lives, and fruits). These encompass a wide spectrum of human experience. "Fear" could be the anxiety of conflict, as Ibn Abbas noted, or the fear of Allah itself, as suggested by Imam Shafi'i. "Hunger" might mean famine and drought, or the spiritual discipline of fasting, also noted by Imam Shafi'i. "Loss of wealth" includes financial difficulties, natural disasters, or even obligatory charity like zakat. "Loss of lives" covers death, martyrdom in Allah's cause, or even illnesses. And "loss of fruits" refers to agricultural setbacks, but also symbolically, the loss of children, who are considered the "fruit of the heart," as Imam Shafi'i beautifully expressed. These are not punishments but tests, designed to reveal the sincere and strengthen the resolute, as al-Saadi clarifies.

The Path of Patience

After outlining these inevitable trials, Allah concludes with a powerful instruction to the Prophet, and through him, to all believers: "وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ" (And give good tidings to the patient). This is the core message and the profound general lesson. Patience, or *sabr*, is not passive endurance, but an active holding of oneself back from despair and complaint, trusting in Allah's wisdom. As al-Qurtubi highlights, the greatest reward for patience comes "عند الصدمة الأولى" (at the first shock) of a calamity, when emotions are raw.

A Deepening Perspective

This verse teaches us that life's difficulties are not random misfortunes, but part of a divine plan. They are opportunities for spiritual growth, a means by which Allah elevates His servants and distinguishes those who truly rely on Him. When faced with any of these trials, whether it is fear for the future, financial strain, illness, or the loss of a loved one, the "change point" this ayah invites is a shift in perspective. Instead of seeing adversity as an end, we are to see it as a path to immense reward. The practical application is to cultivate *sabr* in all its forms: patience in obeying Allah, patience in refraining from His prohibitions, and patience in the face of His decrees. It calls us to greet hardships with a heart firm in faith, knowing that for the patient, Allah has prepared an unparalleled reward.

Sources: al-Qurtubi (al-Jami li-Ahkam), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)

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.

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