Qur’an and Social Sciences

Qur’an and Social Sciences

Examining the Concept of “Divine Trial” in the Qur’ān and Its Relation to Individual and Social Development

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fatemeh Mohammadi 1
Zahra AbbasI 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Qur’anic Sciences and Hadith, Hazrat Narjes Faculty, Vali‑e‑Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran (Corresponding Author)
2 PhD Candidate in Fiqh and Principles of Islamic Law, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
10.22034/arq.2025.242440
Abstract
Divine trials and tribulations refer to the hardships and tests that God ordains for humanity. From a religious perspective, these difficulties are not without purpose; rather, through them, God reveals humanity’s hidden potentials, guiding and propelling individuals toward growth. Thus, life’s hardships are not merely sources of suffering but opportunities for human development. This research addresses the question of whether these divine trials can simultaneously strengthen human psychological capabilities and solidify social bonds among people. More precisely, it investigates the relationship between divine hardships and two crucial concepts: first, resilience, examining how these difficulties empower individuals in their personal lives, making them stronger and more resolute; and second, social capital, exploring how they foster greater trust and cohesion within society. To answer this question, Qur’ānic terms related to this subject, such as fitnah (trial), balāʾ (affliction), and tamḥīṣ (purification), were analyzed through a study of Qur’ānic verses and with the aid of authoritative exegeses, including al-Mizān, Tasnīm, al-Taḥrīr wa al-Tanwīr, and al-Kashshāf. Ultimately, this research yields three conclusions: first, hardships alter individuals’ perceptions of problems; second, individuals develop greater patience and fortitude amidst difficulties; and third, the shared experience of hardship enhances mutual trust and social cohesion. This three-stage model demonstrates the congruence between Islamic teachings and contemporary human sciences, proposing a culturally and religiously grounded solution as a foundation for individual growth and the betterment of social life.
Keywords
Divine trial
Tribulation
Individual development
Social development
Qur&‌‌‌rsquo
ānic exegesis

Subjects

The Holy Qurʾān
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Qur’an and Social Sciences
Volume 5, Issue 4 - Serial Number 20
Winter 2026
Pages 104-129

  • Receive Date 29 October 2025
  • Revise Date 29 January 2026
  • Accept Date 19 April 2026