Surah 29. Al-Ankabut

Alif-Lãm-Mĩm.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Alif Lam Mim. ³⁴²²

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

We are asked to contrast, in our present life the real inner life against the outer life, and learn from the past about the struggles of the soul which upholds Allah's Truth, against the environment of evil, which resists it, and to turn our thoughts to the Ma'ad, or man's future destiny in the Hereafter.

Do people think once they say, 'We believe,' that they will be left without being put to the test?

  - Mustafa Khattab

Do men think that they will be left alone on saying "We believe" and that they will not be tested? ³⁴²³

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Mere lip profession of Faith is not enough. It must be tried and tested in the real turmoil of life. The test will be applied in all kinds of circumstances, in individual life and in relation to the environment around us, to see whether we can strive constantly and put Allah above Self. Much pain, sorrow, and self-sacrifice may be necessary, not because they are good in themselves, but because they will purify us, like fire applied to a goldsmith's crucible to burn out the dross.

We certainly tested those before them. And 'in this way' Allah will clearly distinguish between those who are truthful and those who are liars.

  - Mustafa Khattab

We did test those before them and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false. ³⁴²⁴

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The word "know" is used here more in the sense of testing than of acquiring knowledge. Allah is All-Knowing: He needs no test to increase His own knowledge, but the test is to burn out the dross within ourselves, as explained in the last note.

Or do the evildoers 'simply' think that they will escape Us? How wrong is their judgment!

  - Mustafa Khattab

Do those who practice evil think that they will get the better of us? Evil is their judgment! ³⁴²⁵

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

If the enemies of Truth imagine that they will "be first" by destroying Truth before it takes root, they are sadly at fault, for their own persecution may help to plant Allah's Truth more firmly in men's hearts.

Whoever hopes for the meeting with Allah, 'let them know that' Allah's appointed time is sure to come. He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

  - Mustafa Khattab

For those whose hopes are in the meeting with Allah (in the Hereafter let them strive); for the Term (appointed) by Allah is surely coming: and He hears and knows (all things). ^{3426 3427}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The men of Faith look forward to Allah. Their quest is Allah, and the object of their hopes is the meeting with Allah. They should strive with might and main to serve Him in this life, for this life is short, and the Term appointed for their probation will soon be over.

The Term (ajal) may signify: (1) the time appointed for death, which ends the probation of this life; (2) the time appointed for this life, so that we can prepare for the Hereafter; the limit will soon expire. In either case the ultimate meaning is the same. We must strive now and not postpone anything for the future. And we must realize and remember that every prayer we make to Allah is heard by Him, and that every unspoken wish or motive of our heart, good or bad, is known to Him, and goes to swell our spiritual account.