Tafseer & Taraweeh (Day 14)

Alhamdulillah, we continue our reflections on Surah Al-An’am, verses 42 to 45, during the 14th night of Ramadan.

Tonight, Allah introduces the concept of istidraj, the subtle test where apparent blessings—like wealth, health, and power—actually lead people further away from Allah. Nations before us received messengers and reminders through hardships. If hardships failed to humble them, Allah sometimes granted them even greater worldly success, making them feel invincible—only to seize them suddenly, leaving them utterly confused and destroyed.

Fir’aun (Pharaoh) exemplifies istidraj. He was granted immense power, wealth, health, and advanced technology (evident from Egyptian architecture and engineering achievements). Instead of gratitude, these blessings made Fir’aun arrogant, ultimately leading him to claim divinity. His argument was that continuous worldly success meant Allah approved of him. However, Allah was giving him more rope to intensify his punishment—a powerful warning against equating worldly success with divine approval.

Events in life—whether blessings or hardships—are fundamentally neutral. What truly matters is how we respond. Gratitude transforms blessings into true gifts, while arrogance or ingratitude turns them into punishments.

Historically, the Muslims achieved miraculous victories not due to their numbers, but through sincerity, humility, and reliance on Allah. For instance, the Battle of Badr (17th Ramadan) saw angels assisting a vastly outnumbered Muslim army. Likewise, the Battle of Khandaq was won without direct combat—Allah alone defeated the enemy through a fierce sandstorm. Even the conquest of Mecca was peaceful.