“(O Muhammad!): We did not grant everlasting life to any human being even before you. If you are to die, will they live for ever? Every living being shall taste death and We shall subject you to ill good and by way of trial, and to Us shall all of you be eventually returned.”
(Al-Qur’ān – 21:34-35)
This is a succinct rejoinder to the threats, warnings, curses and conspiracies directed against the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). The Quraish leaders had threatened the Prophet with dire consequences if he continued to call people to his teachings; indeed some had even hatched a conspiracy to end his life.
After the migration to Abyssinia, the Makkans felt hard hit for there was scarcely a house in Makkah that had not witnessed one of its member’s migration. For all this they blamed the Blessed Messenger and they further charged him with ruining their lives. The verse in question responds to these allegations. Additionally, it urges the Blessed Messenger to continue his mission, and to disregard the Makkans’ attitude.
Man is tested throughout all states of his being – in sorrow, poverty, affluence, victory, defeat, weakness, strength, health or sickness. This is done to establish whether or not prosperity and success makes a person arrogant and oblivious to God. Likewise, it tests whether or not adversity demoralises man and makes him resort to unlawful means to improve his lot. Whatever conditions he faces,man should remember that he is being tested and that he should do his best to pass that test.