[47] Surah Muhammad: Ayat 031

৩১. আমি অবশ্যই তোমাদেরকে পরীক্ষা করব যে পর্যন্ত না ফুটিয়ে তুলি তোমাদের জেহাদকারীদেরকে এবং সবরকারীদেরকে এবং যতক্ষণ না আমি তোমাদের অবস্থান সমূহ যাচাই করি।

Ayat 31. And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the Cause of Allah) and the patient ones, and We shall test your facts (i.e. the one who is a liar, and the one who is truthful).

Tafseer of Surah Muhammad  Peace be upon him] Ayat 31. And We shall try you until We test those among you who strive their utmost and persevere in patience; and We shall try your reported (mettle). Cf. 34:2. The test and trial is for our own psychological development, to help in the exercise of such choice as has been given to us in our free will. Cf 3:154. Akhbar, the things reported of you; reputation for courage and constancy, which has to be brought to the test of facts and experience. In an epigram of Tacitus we are told of a Roman Emperor that he would have been considered in every way to have been worthy of being a ruler if only he had never ruled! So in life people may think us courageous, true, noble, and self-sacrificing; and we may consider ourselves as possessing all such virtues; but it is actual experience that will bring them to the test. 

Hazrat Sufyan bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said, "O Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH), tell me something of Islam which I will not ask anyone else about it.'' He [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Say, `I believe in Allah' and then be steadfast".

[Muslim, Book 01, Chapter 14, Hadith # 062].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Muhammad  Peace be upon him] Ayat 31. “And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the Cause of Allah) and the patient ones" Steadfastness means adhering firmly to the injunctions of Islam, to act upon what is ordained and avoid what is prohibited, to perform dutifully orders in respect of obligations and what is regarded desirable and avoid what is unlawful. Faith is not a mere expression of Shahadah. The real Faith is one which is coupled with its actual practice because practice of religion is in fact the fruit of Faith. A tree which does not bear any fruit, has no value, similarly; faith becomes meaningless without practice. Steadfastness is the mark of perfect Faith.