Qur'anic Keywords. Abdur Rashid Siddiqui

honour of the title “The Leader of Mankind” (al-Baqarah 2: 124).

      Unbelievers are also tested so that they may turn to Allah and repent. This test is not necessarily effected by imposing some misfortune. It may be conducted by giving them plenty of worldly goods. The believers are warned not to be dazzled by glitter of their wealth; as Allah says: “through this We test them…” (Ṭā Hā 20: 131).

      B. PERSECUTION

      The word Fitnah is also used for the persecution of believers. The persecution by Pharaoh of Banī Isrā’īl (Yūnus 10: 83), and of the believers by the Aṣḥāb al-Ukhdūd (the makers of the pit fire) (al-Burūj 85: 10), is termed Fitnah. In this sense the Fitnah is regarded as worse than killing and warfare (al-Baqarah 2: 191 and 217).

      C. TEMPTATION

      One of the methods used by Satan or his agents is to seduce people by alluring them so that they deviate from the right path (al-Aʿrāf 7: 20; al-Isrā’ 17: 73).

      D. BURNING

      This is the literal meaning of the word fitnah as stated above. It is used in this meaning in several places in the Qur’ān (85: 10).

       References

      Fitnah: 2: 102; 8: 25; 17: 60; 21: 35; 85: 10; Balā’: 2: 49; 14: 6; 44: 33; 67: 2; 89: 15 and 16.

      Fiṭrah [] (Nature)

       Meaning