Surah Al-Furqaan (25) — Ayah 20

(Ayah 20) ➊ { وَ مَاۤ اَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ … :} This is the answer to the objection: What kind of Messenger is this who eats and drinks and walks in the markets? It is said, all previous Messengers also ate and drank and went to the markets to earn their livelihood and to buy necessities; they were human beings, not angels. (See Yusuf: 109; Anbiya: 7, 8) If, despite eating, drinking, and walking in the markets, you accepted them as Messengers—as you take pride in being the descendants of Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them) and followers of their religion, and you accept Nuh, Musa, and Isa (peace be upon them) as Prophets—then why do you not believe in this Messenger?

➋ { وَ جَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً اَتَصْبِرُوْنَ:} This is the answer to the question: Why was the Prophet not given treasures of gold and silver, or gardens and palaces? It is said: “We have made some of you a trial for others.” This means that Allah generally keeps the Prophets in a modest worldly state; otherwise, if He gave them abundant wealth, many people would join them out of greed for wealth, the truthful and the false would mix together, and the purpose of the test would be lost. Iyad bin Hamar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that Allah says: [ إِنَّمَا بَعَثْتُكَ لِأَبْتَلِيَكَ وَ أَبْتَلِيَ بِكَ وَ أَنْزَلْتُ عَلَيْكَ كِتَابًا لَا يَغْسِلُهُ الْمَاءُ تَقْرَأُهُ نَائِمًا وَ يَقْظَانَ ] [ مسلم، الجنۃ و صفۃ نعیمھا و أھلھا ، باب الصفات التي یعرف بہا … : ۲۸۶۵ ] “I have only sent you so that I may test you and test (people) through you, and I have revealed to you a Book which water cannot wash away; you will recite it while asleep and awake.”

In short! Allah has made all people a trial for each other due to their different circumstances; thus, the Messenger and the believers are a trial for the deniers, and the deniers are a trial for the Messenger and the believers. The rich are a trial for the poor, the healthy are a trial for the sick, so that the latter may see those above them and show patience regarding their own condition or not. The poor and the sick are a trial for the rich and the healthy, so that the latter may see those below them and show gratitude or not. In reality, gratitude is based on patience; whoever is not patient with his own condition can never be grateful, which is why Allah, encouraging patience, said: «{ اَتَصْبِرُوْنَ }» “Will you be patient?” Meaning: Be patient.

➌ { وَ كَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِيْرًا :} This has two meanings, and both are relevant here: one is that your Lord is doing whatever He does with full awareness; there is wisdom in all His actions. The second is that the sincerity and devotion with which you endure the opposition of the disbelievers—He is watching it, and He will never disregard your efforts.

20-1. That is, they were human beings and in need of food.
20-2. That is, they also engaged in earning and trade to obtain lawful sustenance. The meaning of this is that these things are not contrary to the status of prophethood, as some people think.
20-3. That is, We tested the prophets and, through them, also those who believed in them, so that the genuine could be distinguished from the false. Those who held fast to patience during the trial succeeded, and the others failed; that is why it is said further, will you be patient?

20. And (O Prophet), We did not send any messengers before you but they all [25] ate food and walked in the markets. And We have made some of you a trial [26] for others. So (O believers), will you be patient over the taunts of the disbelievers [27]? And your Lord is ever All-Seeing [28].

[25] This is the answer to the objection of the disbelievers, which is mentioned in verse number 7 of this very surah. The objection of the disbelievers of Makkah was merely for the sake of argument, otherwise they knew well that Prophet Nuh, Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Musa, and Prophet Isa (peace be upon them all) were all human beings. Human needs were attached to them, and for the sustenance of their lives, they used to eat and drink. For earning a livelihood or for buying and selling, they also used to walk in the markets. Despite all these things, people accepted them as messengers. Eating food or walking in the markets is not contrary to greatness or prophethood, so on what basis is their objection to this Messenger correct?

[26] How does the entire nation get tested through the Prophet? That is, Allah sends His Messenger and puts all people to trial, thoroughly testing each one. Both those who believe and those who disbelieve. Among the believers, the most severe trial is for the messengers themselves, as you ﷺ have said: "The most severe trial is for the prophets, then for those closest to them, then for those next in rank." At the call of the Prophet, a storm of opposition arises, and initially, those who believe in the Prophet's message are usually the weak and oppressed people of society, who are already weary of the oppression and persecution of society. They are severely tested in this battle between truth and falsehood until it becomes clear to everyone how steadfast a particular believer is in his claim. The hypocrites are also sifted out, and the disbelievers are tested in such a way that among them, a person of lower worldly status and wealth claims prophethood and presents rational and textual proofs for his message. So, do they abandon their arrogance and pride and become willing to accept the truth or not? If someone rejects the Prophet's message, to what extent does he adopt the path of rebellion and defiance? Thus, the battle between truth and falsehood that arises from a Prophet's call is like a furnace, which is exactly according to the will of Allah, and many wisdoms are hidden in it, and through this furnace, every individual of the nation is tested.

[27] This address is only to the Muslims, that is, your test is whether you endure the unjust objections of these disbelievers, their mockery, and the harm they cause you, while there are many kinds of benefits and wisdoms for you in this?

[28] One meaning of this is that your Lord has put everyone to trial after considering its benefits, and the second meaning is that in the battle between truth and falsehood, He is watching those who are supporting the truth and also those who have stood as obstacles in His path, and He is well aware of their deeds.