Surah Al-Fajr; Reason for Divine Trials

TEHRAN (IQNA) – People face many challenges in life, which may be in the form of joyful events or difficulties and adversities. These are divine trials that come in our way and none of them are without a reason.

The reason for these trials is given in Surah Al-Fajr, the 89^th chapter of the Quran that has 30 verses and is in the 30^th Juz.

It is Makki and the 10^th Surah revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

In the first verse, God swears by Fajr (the dawn, daybreak), and hence the name of the Surah.

Al-Fajr is known as the Surah of Imam Hussein (AS) because, based on a Hadith from Imam Sadiq (AS), the phrase Nafs Mutmainna (satisfied soul) in Verse 27 refers to Imam Hussein (AS). Also, according to some Quran interpretations, the phrase Layalin Ashr (the ten nights) refers to the first ten nights of the lunar Hijri month of Muharram (Imam Hussein (AS) was martyred on the 10^th of Muharram).

In Surah Al-Fajr, there are references to the fate of the People of Aad, Iram Zat al-Imad (huge columned city of Eram), people of Thamud, and people of pharaoh and their rebellion and disobedience to God.

The Surah reminds us that mankind is always facing divine trials through blessings or hardships. It points out the reason for the failure of unbelievers in these trials and says that on the Day of Judgment and upon seeing hell, unbelievers regret what they did in life but it would be of no use.

Surah Al-Fajr criticizes loving the worldly riches that brings about rebellion and negligence and warns those who prefer this world to the hereafter of chastisement in this world and the next.

It notes that when given blessings, people say it is because God has honored them and when given hardships, such as poverty and destitution, they think God has disgraced them.

Due to their wrong assumptions, the first group fails to see their mistakes and wrongdoings and the second group resorts to blasphemy.

But the fact is that when someone is given wealth or power, or when someone else is given poverty, it is because of divine trial so that through such trials, they can determine what their situation will be in the hereafter.  

So the blessings or hardships that one faces in this world are divine tests and through them one can make his life after death in the best way. Neglecting divine trials, though, causes him to face nothing but chastisement in the hereafter.

From among all people, one will achieve salvation in the hereafter who has Nafs Mutmainna and in the face of trials and adversities, there is peace in his heart with the remembrance of God.