The hadith has been issued after the verse. The verse has been revealed to test the sahaba’s response to the call of Allah. It is the wisdom behind abrogation. This verse has been abrogated.

 

This is based on the report of Marwan Al-Asghar who said: A man from the companions of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) who I think, was Ibn `Umar said, “The Verse:– “Whether you show what is in your minds or conceal it….” was abrogated by the Verse following it.” (Al-Bukhari)

 

The story shows how the sahabhah submitted to the will of Allah once the verse has been revealed. They showed full acceptance. This was a reason that Allah alleviated them of the hardship that may result from the implementation of this verse.

 

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When it was revealed to Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): “To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and whether you disclose what is in your own selves or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it,” the Companions of Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) felt it hard and severe and they came to Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and sat down on their knees and said: “O Messenger of Allah, we were assigned some duties which were within our power to perform, such as Salat (prayer), Saum (fasting), Jihad (striving in the Cause of Allah), Sadaqah (charity).

 

Then this (the above mentioned) Verse was revealed to you and it is beyond our power to live up to it.” Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Do you want to say what the people of two Books (Jews and Christians) said before you: ‘We hear and disobey?’ You should rather say: ‘We hear and we obey, we seek forgiveness, our Rubb and unto You is the return.”‘ And they said: “We hear and we obey, (we seek) Your forgiveness, our Rubb! And unto You is the return.”

 

When the people recited it and it smoothly flowed on their tongues, then Allah revealed immediately afterwards: “The Messenger (Muhammad (peace be upon him) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Rubb, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), ‘We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers’ – and they say, ‘We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Rubb, and to You is the return (of all)”.

 

When they did that, Allah abrogated this (Ayah) and Allah the Great revealed: “Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned.” (The Prophet (peace be upon him) said): “Yes. ‘Our Rubb! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians)”. (The Prophet (peace be upon him) said): “Yes. ‘Our Rubb! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear”. (The Prophet (peace be upon him) said): “Yes. ‘Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maula (Patron, Supporter and Protector) and give us victory over the disbelieving people”. (Muslim)

 

 Almighty Allah knows best.