Surat Al-Ankabut (The Spider)

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Surat Al-Ankabut is Makkan. It was revealed after Surat Ar-Rum. It comes after Surat Al-

Qasas in the Holy Qur’an. It consists of 69 ayahs.

The objective of the Surah is made clear from the very beginning in what can be translated

as, “Alif-Lâm-Mîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but

Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] 2. Do people think that they will be left alone

because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested…” (TMQ, 1-2:29). O believers,

strive to overcome trials and have fortitude and self-control. Thus, it is the Surah of trials.

These trials are an inevitable part of a Muslim’s life. They are a sunnah of the universe

ordained by Allah (SWT) upon earth. Some may ask, ‘Why are we sent these trials? Would

it not have been better for us to live a peaceful life, praying, fasting and worshipping Allah

(SWT) with no trials or tragedies?’ Those who ask these questions have not understood the

Allah’s (SWT) Wisdom and Intention in creating this world. This world was created as a trial

for the hereafter and without these trials, it would not be possible to rank people in [the

different levels of] paradise. It would not be possible to distinguish between those who

deserve the highest ferdaws (the highest level of paradise), those who deserve the lowest

level of paradise, and those who do not deserve to enter paradise at all until they pass through

some punishment. Accordingly, it is a necessity for the Justice of Allah (SWT) to put His

Worshippers through trials in order to distinguish the bad from the good.

Sunnah of the universe

As such, the beginning of the Surah is what can be translated as, “Alif-Lâm-Mîm. [These

letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their

meanings.] 2. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We

believe,” and will not be tested…” (TMQ, 1-2:29). Is it reasonable to think you are

believers just because you say, “We believe” with your lips? Even if you are sincere in

saying so, there must be a test, “and will not be tested…”

The rule is that believers are put through afflictions so do not assume that they occur to you

alone. In fact, the third ayah states that these ordeals are a sunnah of the universe in what can

be translated as, “And We indeed tested those who were before them” (TMQ, 3:29). Why

do You do this Allah (SWT)? The answer comes in the same ayah in what can be translated

as, “And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will

certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows

all that before putting them to test)” (TMQ, 3:29). The tests reveal the true believer from

those who allege belief. Accordingly, ayah eleven reveals the same meaning in what can be

translated as, “Verily, Allah knows those who believe, and verily, He knows the

hypocrites [i.e. Allah will test the people with good and hard days to discriminate the

good from the wicked, although Allah knows all that before putting them to test]”

(TMQ, 11:29).

Here, a question presents itself: Would not Allah (SWT) know as He is the Knower of the

entire Unknown, who will succeed in this trial and endure and who will fall and go astray?

Then why the need for affliction? The answer is that Allah (SWT) sends these trials so that

you humans know, that they can be a proof against you on the Day of Judgment.

It would have been sufficient for Allah (SWT) to tell you on the Day of Judgment; “I know

that if you had been in such a situation you would have done such and such. Go and enter

hellfire.” But Allah (SWT) with His Wisdom, Mercy and Justice sends us these trials in this

life and reckons your actual actions in the hereafter as explained in what can be translated as,

“And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will

certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows

all that before putting them to test)” (TMQ, 3:29).

Do not suppose, Brother in Islam, that this world is effortless and devoid of troubles, even if

you are a believer. Faith will not relieve you from the trials of this world and the person is

afflicted according to his or her faith. This is why Allah (SWT) says in Surat Al-Ankabut

that if you crave for Allah’s rewards, you should have patience and strive to overcome these

trials and tests. Do so until you meet Allah (SWT) and He will reward you because meeting

Allah (SWT) is near and inevitable as is pointed out in what can be translated as, “Whoever

hopes for the Meeting with Allah, then Allah’s Term is surely coming and He is the All-

Hearer, the All-Knower” (TMQ, 5:29). It should not come to mind amidst all this talk

about trials that Allah (SWT) needs your striving. Your striving and endurance are for you

alone. Allah (SWT) is self-sufficient of our deeds, our worship and of the whole world. We

are the insignificant and need Him for everything. Allah (SWT) states what can be translated

as “And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allah stands not in need

of any of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)” (TMQ, 6:29).

One of the most crucial trials the Surah discusses is to be tried in our religion (creed), such as

when a believer is harmed with the intention to make him deviate from Allah’s (SWT)

religion. The Surah stresses that this is harm, not punishment. However, when judgment is

deficient and the scales become unbalanced, the weak believer assumes that people’s harm to

him is the worst kind of punishment. For this reason, the Surah emphasizes that this

assumption is erroneous, for only Allah (SWT) can punish as stated in what can be translated

as, “Of mankind are some who say: “We believe in Allah.” But if they are made to

suffer for the sake of Allah, they consider the trial of mankind as Allah’s punishment;

and if victory comes from your Lord, (the hypocrites) will say: “Verily we were with

you (helping you).” Is not Allah Best Aware of what is in the breasts of the ‘Alamin

(mankind and jinn)” (TMQ, 10:29)

The toughest trials

The ayahs in the Surah continue to discuss the same theme. Trials reveal people’s beliefs,

test what may be hidden in their hearts and expose the true from the false. For this reason, it

mentions another trial, that of parents who push their son to move away from obeying Allah

(SWT), either out of fear for their child or out of arrogance towards Allah’s (SWT) religion.

Allah (SWT) states what can be translated as, “And We have enjoined on man to be good

and dutiful to his parents; but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship)

anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me

is your return and I shall tell you what you used to do” (TMQ, 8:29). This is a difficult

and demanding trial. Will the believer treat his parents righteously despite the fact that they

are disbelievers ?

Means of being saved from trials

One of the nice things about the Surah is that it starts off by stating that trials are a part of

people’s lives and that they are extremely difficult. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated

as, “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will

not be tested” (TMQ, 2:29). Nevertheless, it ends with a wonderful ayah that shows us that

trials are in fact easy Allah (SWT) will guide and help us to overcome them if we strive

against them. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “As for those who strive hard in

Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah’s religion - Islâmic

Monotheism). And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good doers)” (TMQ, 69:29). This

ayah was revealed in Makkah when jihad (striving for the cause of Islam with the sword) had

not yet been decreed. Thus, this ayah refers to striving against both one’s self and trials. As

if it says, ‘Strive against yourselves, and succeed, then you will guarantee victory over the

internal and external enemy.