Tafsir of Al-Baqarah 2:155-157

"And We will surely test you with something..."

"And We will surely test you" We will certainly afflict you with a trial that resembles the action of one testing your states: will you be patient and remain steadfast upon the obedience you are in, submitting to the command and decree of God, or not?

"With something" A small amount of each of these calamities, merely a portion of them.

"And give good tidings to the patient" Those who say Istirja' (i.e., "Verily we belong to God...") when calamity strikes, for Istirja' is an act of submission and compliance.

It is narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ): "Whoever says Istirja' at the time of a calamity, God will compensate his loss, grant him a better outcome, and provide him with a righteous successor whom he will be pleased with."

It is also narrated that the lamp of the Messenger of God (ﷺ) once went out, so he said: "Verily we belong to God and to Him we shall return." It was said, "Is this a calamity?" He replied: "Yes, everything that harms the believer is a calamity for him."

The use of the word "something" (a small amount) is intended to signal that every calamity that befalls a human—no matter how great—is minor compared to what could have been. It is also to lighten the burden upon them and show them that His mercy is with them in every state, never departing from them. He promised them this before it occurred so that they might prepare their souls for it.

"Loss" This is a conjunction linked to "something," or to "fear," meaning: "and something of the loss of wealth." The address in "give good tidings" is directed to the Messenger of God (ﷺ) or to anyone capable of delivering such tidings.

Al-Shafi'i (may God have mercy on him) interpreted "fear" as the fear of God; "hunger" as the fasting of Ramadan; "loss of wealth" as Zakat and charity; "loss of lives" as illnesses; and "loss of fruits" as the death of children.

It is narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ): "When a servant’s child dies, God says to the angels: 'Have you taken the child of My servant?' They say: 'Yes.' He says: 'Have you taken the fruit of his heart?' They say: 'Yes.' He says: 'What did My servant say?' They say: 'He praised You and said Istirja'.' God says: 'Build for My servant a house in Paradise and name it the House of Praise.'"

"And blessings" This refers to tenderness and affection; it is placed in the position of compassion. It is combined with "mercy," as in His saying: "compassion and mercy" (Al-Hadid: 27) and "Compassionate, Merciful" (At-Tawbah: 117). The meaning is: upon them is compassion after compassion, and mercy upon mercy.

"And it is those who are the [rightly] guided" To the path of righteousness, for they practiced Istirja' and surrendered the matter to God.