Al-Qur'an Surah Al-An'am Verse 53

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Thus We have tested some of them through others, so that they should say, “Are these the ones among all of us whom Allah has chosen for His favour?” Yes, does Allah not know well who are the grateful?

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

In this way We have tested some by means of others, so those ˹disbelievers˺ may say, “Has Allah favoured these ˹poor believers˺ out of all of us?” Does Allah not best recognize the grateful?

Ruwwad Translation Center

Thus We have tested some of them by meas of others, so that they may say, “Are these the ones whom Allah has favored among us?” Does Allah not know best those who are grateful?

A. J. Arberry

Even so We have tried some of them by others that they may say, Are these the ones God has been gracious to among us?' Knows not God very well the thankful?

Abdul Haleem

We have made some of them a test for others, to make the disbelievers say, ‘Is it these men that God has favoured among us?’ Does God not know best who are the grateful ones?

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And Thus We have tried some of them by means of others, that they might say: are those they whom God hath favoured amongst us? Is not Allah the Best Knower of the thankful?

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Thus did We try some of them by comparison with others, that they should say; "Is it these then that Allah hath favoured from amongst us?" Doth not Allah know best those who are grateful?

Abul Ala Maududi

Thus We have made some of them a means for testing others so that they should say: 'Are these theones among us upon whom Allah has bestowed His favour?' Yes, does Allah not know well who are the thankful?

Ahmed Ali

Thus do We try men through one another so that they may ask: "Are these the ones of all of us who have been favoured by God?" Does God not know who are the grateful?

Ahmed Raza Khan

And similarly We have made some as a trial for others – that the wealthy disbelievers upon seeing the needy Muslims say, “Are these whom Allah has favoured among us?” Does not Allah recognise those who are thankful?

Ali Quli Qarai

Thus do We test them by means of one another so that they should say, ‘Are these the ones whom Allah has favoured from among us?!’ Does not Allah know best the grateful?!

Ali Ünal

And it is in this way that We try people through one another: so that they (who think that such things as wealth and social status are the means of superiority) say (of the believers who are poor and lacking in recognized social status): "Are these the ones among us on whom God has bestowed His favor?" Does God not know best who are the thankful (who recognize the real source and bestower of every good thing one receives, and act accordingly)?

Amatul Rahman Omar

In this way have We made a distinction in some of them from the other with the result that they say, `Are these the ones whom Allâh has favoured (by choosing them) from among us?´ Does not Allâh know best the grateful?

English Literal

And like that We tested/allured some of them with some, to say (P): "Are those (who) God blessed on them from between us?" Is God not more knowing with the thankful/grateful?

Faridul Haque

And similarly We have made some as a trial for others - that the wealthy disbelievers upon seeing the needy Muslims say, “Are these whom Allah has favoured among us?” Does not Allah recognise those who are thankful?

Hamid S. Aziz

And when those who believe in Our revelations come to you, say, "Peace be on you! Allah hath prescribed for Himself mercy; verily, he among you who does evil in ignorance, and then repents and does right, verily, He is Forgiving and Merciful."

Hilali & Khan

Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: "Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favoured from amongst us?" Does not Allah know best those who are grateful?

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And drive not away those who call upon their Lord, morning and evening, desiring only His pleasure. Neither art thou accountable for them in aught, nor are they accountable for thee in aught, that thou shouldst drive them away and thus be of the wrongdoers.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And thus do We try some of them by others so that they say: Are these they upon whom Allah has conferred benefit from among us? Does not Allah best know the grateful?

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And even so do We try some of them by others, that they say: Are these they whom Allah favoureth among us? Is not Allah best Aware of the thanksgivers?

Muhammad Sarwar

We test some of them by the conditions of the others so that the rich and proud ones (seeing your poor and humble followers) would say, "Are these the ones from among all of us whom God has chosen to favor?" Does not God know those who give thanks (much better than others do).

Qaribullah & Darwish

As such We have made some of them a means for testing others, so that they should say: 'Are those whom Allah favors amongst us' But does not Allah best know the thankful?

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: "Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored from amongst us" Does not Allah know best those who are grateful

Wahiduddin Khan

In this way We try some of them by means of others, so that they may ask, "Are these [lowly ones] whom God has singled out for His favours from among us? Does God not know best who are the grateful ones?"

Talal Itani

Thus We try some of them by means of others, that they may say, “Are these the ones whom God has favored from among us?” Is God not aware of the appreciative?

Tafsir jalalayn

And even so We have tried, We have tested, some of them by others, that is, the noble one by the commoner, the rich man by the poor man, preferring the [latter] one by giving [him] precedence in [attaining] faith, so that they, the noble ones and the rich, may say, in disavowal, `Are these, the poor, the ones whom God has favoured from among us?', with guidance? In other words [so that they may say]; if what they follow is [true] guidance, they would not have preceded us [in attaining it]. God, exalted be He, says; Is God not best aware of those who are thankful?, to Him, to guide them? Indeed [He is].

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

وَكَذَلِكَ فَتَنَّا بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ

Thus We have tried some of them with others!

means, We tested, tried and checked them with each other,

لِّيَقُولواْ أَهَـوُلاء مَنَّ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّن بَيْنِنَا

That they might say;"Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored from amongst us!"

This is because at first, most of those who followed the Messenger of Allah were the weak among the people, men, women, slaves, and only a few chiefs or noted men followed him.

Nuh, was also addressed by his people
مَا نَرَاكَ إِلاَّ بَشَرًا مِّثْلَنَا وَمَا نَرَاكَ اتَّبَعَكَ إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ هُمْ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِيَ الرَّأْيِ
(Nor do we see any follow you but the meekest among us and they (too) followed you without thinking). (11;27)

Heraclius, emperor of Rome, asked Abu Sufyan, "Do the noblemen or the weak among people follow him (Muhammad)?"
Abu Sufyan replied, "Rather the weak among them."

Heraclius commented, "Such is the case with followers of the Messengers."

The idolators of Quraysh used to mock the weak among them who believed in the Prophet and they even tortured some of them. They used to say, "Are these the ones whom Allah favored above us," meaning, Allah would not guide these people, instead of us, to all that is good, if indeed what they embraced is good.

Allah mentioned similar statements in the Qur'an from the disbelievers,

لَوْ كَانَ خَيْراً مَّا سَبَقُونَأ إِلَيْهِ


Had it been a good thing, they (weak and poor) would not have preceded us to it! (46;11)

and,

وَإِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـتُنَا بِيِّنَـتٍ قَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ أَىُّ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ خَيْرٌ مَّقَاماً وَأَحْسَنُ نَدِيّاً

And when Our clear verses are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe;"Which of the two groups is best in position and station." (19;73)

Allah said in reply,

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُمْ مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَحْسَنُ أَثَاثاً وَرِءْياً

And how many a generation (past nations) have We destroyed before them, who were better in wealth, goods and outward appearance. (19;74)

Here, Allah answered the disbelievers when they said,

أَهَـوُلاء مَنَّ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّن بَيْنِنَا

أَلَيْسَ اللّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِالشَّاكِرِينَ



"Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored from amongst us!" Does not Allah know best those who are grateful!

Meaning is not Allah more knowledgeable of those who thank and appreciate Him in statement, action and heart!

Thus Allah directs these believers to the ways of peace, transfers them from darkness to light by His leave, and guides them to the straight path.

In another Ayah, Allah said;

وَالَّذِينَ جَـهَدُواْ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

As for those who strive hard for Us (Our cause), We will surely guide them to Our paths (i.e. Allah's religion). And verily, Allah is with the doers of good." (29;69)
An authentic Hadith states,

إِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَلَا إِلَى أَلْوَانِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُم

Allah does not look at your shapes or colors, but He looks at your heart and actions.