1. The Spider Web: The Most Fragile of All Homes
Surah Al-Ankaboot العنكبوت was revealed towards the end of the Meccan period. It was a very critical time when the conflict between the Prophet (ﷺ) and the oligarchy of Mecca reached its peak. The early believers were exposed to torture, siege, and persecution. Even the Prophet (ﷺ) himself was not spared the plotting by his opponents to be arrested, killed, or expelled outside Mecca.
“Remember how the unbelievers plotted against you, to keep you in bonds, or kill you, or get you out. They plan, and Allah too plans, but the best of planners is Allah.” [8:30]
If I had the chance to observe closely the situation at that time, it would be very difficult to know the outcome. It was a deflection point, and the tide could have gone in favor of the believers if the people of Mecca decided after many years to accept the new message. However, this did not happen, and the conflict ended with the migration of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the believers to Medina.
It was the perfect time in such circumstances for the believers to pass the test and prove their loyalty to the new message. Those who were discovered to have embraced the new message did not escape the harm from their opponents. They were not left alone without being tested.
“No men think that they will be left alone on saying: We believe, and that they will not be tested?” [29:2]
The test differentiated between those who were persistent, consistent, and trustworthy to the new religion; and those whose belief was shaky and fragile.
“We did test those before them, and Allah will know those who are true from those who are false.” [29:3]
The test differentiated between those who were loyal to the new message from those who were still loyal to the regime of Mecca and its elites.
How did Quran address the failure of systems based on power, oppression, and exploitation of the masses; and those who associate with them?
Around the middle of Surah Al-Ankaboot, we see the analogy of the above situation to the spider web in a verse that constitutes the central theme of the Surah.
“The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the spider who build a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider’s house- if they but knew.” [29:41]
The spider web is very intricate and complex but at the same time it the frailest and most fragile. This is the case of the system in Mecca or any power or superpower. Although such systems are inherently fragile, the believers must not lose sight of the complexity of such powers and hence, must not take them for granted.
In the same manner, trials are meant to separate the true believers from the hypocrites whose belief is shaky and fragile. The hypocrites prefer to stand on the side to see who is going to have the upper hand and side with them. They are not after the truth, but after their own interests and desires. They indeed miscalculated, and the house they thought would shelter them became their own prison.
“And Allah most certainly knows those who believe, and as certainly those who are hypocrites.” [29:11]
Later in Medina, a new group of hypocrites emerged and worked underground to disrupt the fabric of the newly born community. At that stage, they would behave as conspirators aiming at destroying the community from within.
The example of the spider web is a tangible phenomenon that helps understand the true and pure nature of faith. Faith must be nurtured and strengthened all the time. If it is weak and fragile, it will crumble at the first trial or challenge. Trials and tests are not meant to punish the believers. On the contrary, the believers grow and mature after every challenge they encounter. At the political level, standing up to the complex systems of power is possible for the believers once wisdom is sought beside material strength.
“Verily Allah knows of everything that they call upon besides Him: and He is Exalted, Wise.” [29:42]
By Dr. Walid Khayr