We Made Some of you a Fitnah to Others

Author: Al Haafidh al Baghawee
Topic: Tafseer
Reference: Tafseer al Baghawee - more about reference here...
And We have made some of you as a Fitnah for others; will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All-Seer [Al Furqaan: 20]
Meaning a trial; a wealthy person is a trial for the poor, the poor person would say; why am I not like him? The healthy person is a trial for the sick, the noble a trial for the lowly.

Ibn ‘Abbaas stated: Meaning I made some of you as a trial for others so that you may be patient concerning what you hear from them, see their disputes amongst themselves and follow guidance.

It was also said that it was revealed due the trial of the poor for the wealthy. This is because when the wealthy person wants to embrace Islaam, he looks at the poor person, when he sees that the poor person embraced Islaam before him he disdains him saying to himself; ‘Should I embrace Islaam after him so that he has virtue and priority over me?’ So he remains upon his disbelief and refrains from embracing Islaam. This is how some of them are a trial to others. This is one opinion.

Muqaatil stated: This verse was revealed concerning Abu Jahl, al Waleed ibn ‘Uqbah, al-‘Aas ibn Waa-il and an Nadr ibn al Haarith. When they looked at al Kalbee Abu Dhar, ibn Mas’ood, ‘Aamir, Bilaal, Suhayb, ‘Aamir ibn Faheerah and others, they said: ‘Are we to embrace Islaam and be like them?’

It was also said that it was revealed concerning the slaves who followed Muhammad - صلى الله عليه وسلم -. The poor from amongst the believers were put to trial through those who mocked them from Quraysh, they used to say: ‘Look at them, the lowly from amongst us.’ So Allaah the Elevated told those believers:

…will you be patient.
Meaning with this state of poverty, hardship and harm.

And your Lord is Ever All-Seer
…of those who are patient and those are impatient.

Ahmad ibn ‘Abdillaah as Saalihee narrated to us…on the authority of Abu Hurayrah who said: The Messenger of Allaah - صلى الله عليه وسلم - said:

“If one of you sees someone who is better than him physically or financially, then let him look at who is less than him physically and financially.”