Surah Al-A'raf (7:129)

قَالُـوۡۤا اُوۡذِيۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِ اَنۡ تَاۡتِيَنَا وَمِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جِئۡتَنَا ؕ قَالَ عَسٰى رَبُّكُمۡ اَنۡ يُّهۡلِكَ عَدُوَّكُمۡ وَيَسۡتَخۡلِفَكُمۡ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ فَيَنۡظُرَ كَيۡفَ تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ‏ ۝

Qaloo ootheena minqabli an ta/tiyana wamin baAAdi ma ji/tana qalaAAasa rabbukum an yuhlika AAaduwwakum wayastakhlifakum feeal-ardi fayanthura kayfa taAAmaloon

They said, "We have been harmed before you came to us and after you have come to us." He said, "Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and grant you succession in the land and see how you will do."

Tadabbur (Reflection)

Theme of the Ayat

The Impatience of the People: Complaining about suffering before and after Musa's arrival.

The Insight

The Children of Israel complained that they suffered before Musa came and after he came, showing a lack of faith. **Guard against spiritual short-sightedness.** Do not let immediate hardship blind you to the larger divine plan. Trust that the struggle, however long, serves a greater purpose.