In the Arabic Quran, there are typically two words for the word “test.” The first is the word “ l-balā” ( الْبَلَاء), and the other is “ l-fit’na” ( الْفِتْنَة). The root for balā ( ب ل و) occurs 38 times in the Quran. While the root for fit’na ( ف ت ن) occurs 60 times in the Quran.
balā
Generally, when the word “ balā” is used in reference to a test, it is meant to strengthen the faith of believers and increase their reliance on God. This is a test that every human will have to go through and can take many forms, including physical hardship, financial hardship, or the loss of a loved one, but it is always seen as a means of drawing believers closer to God and increasing their spiritual strength. Or put another way, balā is a test meant to refine and purify the soul, strengthen the faith of believers, and increase their reliance on God.
2:155 We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast.
3:186 You will certainly be tested, through your money and your lives, and you will hear from those who received the scripture, and from the idol worshipers, a lot of insults. If you steadfastly persevere and lead a righteous life, this will prove the strength of your faith.
7:168 We scattered them among many communities throughout the land. Some of them were righteous, and some were less than righteous. We tested them with prosperity and hardship, that they may return.
8:17 It was not you who killed them; GOD is the One who killed them. It was not you who threw when you threw; GOD is the One who threw. But He thus tests the believers with a good test (as a chance to earn a lot of credit). GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
3:152 GOD has fulfilled His promise to you, and you defeated them by His leave. But then you wavered, disputed among yourselves, and disobeyed after He had shown you (the victory) you had longed for. But then, some of you became distracted by the spoils of this world, while others were rightly concerned with the Hereafter. He then diverted you from them to test you. He has pardoned you. GOD showers the believers with His grace.
3:154 After the setback, He sent down upon you peaceful slumber that pacified some of you. Others among you were selfishly concerned about themselves. They harbored thoughts about GOD that were not right— the same thoughts they had harbored during the days of ignorance. Thus, they said, “Is anything up to us?” Say, “Everything is up to GOD.” They concealed inside themselves what they did not reveal to you. They said, “If it was up to us, none of us would have been killed in this battle.” Say, “Had you stayed in your homes, those destined to be killed would have crawled into their death beds.” GOD thus puts you to the test to bring out your true convictions, and to test what is in your hearts. GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
2:249 When Saul took command of the troops, he said, “ GOD is putting you to the test by means of a stream. Anyone who drinks from it does not belong with me—only those who do not taste it belong with me—unless it is just a single sip.” They drank from it, except a few of them. When he crossed it with those who believed, they said, “Now we lack the strength to face Goliath and his troops.” Those who were conscious of meeting GOD said, “Many a small army defeated a large army by GOD’s leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.”
6:165 He is the One who made you inheritors of the earth, and He raised some of you above others in rank, in order to test you in accordance with what He has given you. Surely, your Lord is efficient in enforcing retribution, and He is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
27:40 The one who possessed knowledge from the book said, “I can bring it to you in the blink of your eye.” When he saw it settled in front of him, he said, “This is a blessing from my Lord, whereby He tests me, to show whether I am appreciative or unappreciative. Whoever is appreciative is appreciative for his own good, and if one turns unappreciative, then my Lord is in no need for him, Most Honorable.”
On the other hand, “ fit’na” is a term that refers to a trial that is designed to separate truth from falsehood or good from evil. This type of test is often associated with temptation, deception, and confusion. Its purpose is to determine if someone is a true believer or merely just providing lip service. The idea behind fitna is that it serves as a way of sorting the wheat from the chaff, so to speak, and of strengthening the faith of believers by enabling them to overcome deception and temptation while at the same time weeding out individuals who do not really believe.
29:2 Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test (fit’na)?
29:3 We have tested (fit’na) those before them, for GOD must distinguish those who are truthful, and He must expose the liars.
22:53 He thus sets up the devil’s scheme as a test for those who harbor doubts in their hearts, and those whose hearts are hardened. The wicked must remain with the opposition.
7:27 O children of Adam, do not let the devil dupe you as he did when he caused the eviction of your parents from Paradise, and the removal of their garments to expose their bodies. He and his tribe see you, while you do not see them. We appoint the devils as companions of those who do not believe.
39:49 If the human is touched by adversity, he implores us, but as soon as we bestow a blessing upon him, he says, “I attained this because of my cleverness!” Indeed, this is only a test, but most of them do not know.
4:91 You will find others who wish to make peace with you and also with their people. (However) whenever they were returned to the fit’na they were reverted therein. So unless these people leave you alone, offer you peace, and stop fighting you, you may fight them when you encounter them. Against these, we give you a clear authorization.
3:7 He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses—which constitute the essence of the scripture—as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to seek fitna (division), and to extricate a certain meaning. None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, “We believe in this—all of it comes from our Lord.” Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
8:73 Those who disbelieved are allies of one another. Unless you keep these commandments, there will be fit’na ( chaos) on earth, and terrible corruption.
11:7 He is the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days—and His (earthly) domain was completely covered with water— in order to test (balā) you, to distinguish those among you who work righteousness. Yet, when you say, “You will be resurrected after death,” those who disbelieve would say, “This is clearly witchcraft.”
47:31 We will certainly put you to the test ( balā), in order to distinguish those among you who strive, and steadfastly persevere. We must test/make evident ( balā) your true qualities.
20:131 And do not covet what we bestowed upon any other people. Such are temporary ornaments of this life, whereby we put them to the test (fit’na). What your Lord provides for you is far better, and everlasting.
People can be used to carry out both balā and fit’na.
47:4 If you encounter (in war) those who disbelieve, you may strike the necks. If you take them as captives you may set them free or ransom them, until the war ends. Had GOD willed, He could have granted you victory, without war. But He thus tests ( balā) you by one another. As for those who get killed in the cause of GOD, He will never put their sacrifice to waste.
25:20 We did not send any messengers before you who did not eat food and walk in the markets. We thus test (fit’na) you by each other; will you steadfastly persevere? Your Lord is Seer.
So what is the key distinction between “ balā” and “ fit’na “? Balā are tests we will all have to deal with. These are the tests that are part of the fabric of being human. In life, there will be ups and downs, situations that will be in our favor, and situations that will not be in our favor, as well as adornments. The purpose of the tests of balā is to bring us closer to God by showing us our shortcomings and motivating us to do better as a learning experience. The tests of balā are meant to strengthen us for when the fit’na inevitably comes. This is because fit’na is a trial designed to separate true believers from disbelievers.
89:15 When the human being is tested (balā) by his Lord, through blessings and joy, he says, “My Lord is generous towards me.”
89:16 But if He tests (balā) him through reduction in provisions, he says, “My Lord is humiliating me!”
89:17 Wrong! It is you who brought it on yourselves by not regarding the orphan.
89:18 And not advocating charity towards the poor.
89:19 And consuming the inheritance of helpless orphans.
89:20 And loving the money too much.
33:11 That is when the believers were truly tested (bala); they were severely shaken up.
33:12 The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, “What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!”
33:13 A group of them said, “O people of Yathrib, you cannot attain victory; go back.” Others made up excuses to the prophet: “Our homes are vulnerable,” when they were not vulnerable. They just wanted to flee.
33:14 Had the enemy invaded and asked the fit’na (trechery), they would have joined the enemy without hesitation.
33:22 When the true believers saw the parties (ready to attack), they said, “This is what GOD and His messenger have promised us, and GOD and His messenger are truthful.” This (dangerous situation) only strengthened their faith and augmented their submission.
5:48 Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD’s revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test (bala) through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny—all of you—then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.
5:49 You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD’s revelations to you. Do not follow their wishes, and beware lest they tempt (fit’na) you from some of GOD’s revelations to you. If they turn away, then know that GOD wills to punish them for some of their sins. Indeed, many people are wicked.
21:35 Every soul will taste death, after we put you to the test ( balā) through adversity and prosperity as a trial (fit’na), then to us you ultimately return.