Afflictions have always been an integral part of the human experience, impacting not only individual and social life but also influencing religious and philosophical beliefs. Verse 11 of Surah At-Taghabun raises a fundamental question about the origin of afflictions, providing a framework for reexamining key concepts such as free will, moral responsibility, and the human relationship with God.

Objective: To examine the evolution of interpretive perspectives on this verse from early to contemporary periods, with a focus on the role of human agency in relation to divine afflictions and its impact on religious and ethical outlooks.

Methodology: This study employs a descriptive-analytical approach, utilizing library-based sources. It analyzes authoritative Islamic commentaries across different historical periods to trace the semantic development of the verse.
Findings: Early interpretations viewed afflictions as manifestations of divine wisdom and calls to patience. Later commentaries emphasized the concept of divine testing and the stability of faith. In the contemporary period, with a focus on the doctrine of Divine Action (Tawhid al-Af‘al), human beings are elevated from a passive stance to a position of moral responsibility. Tafsir al-Mizan, in particular, presents affliction as a means of spiritual growth and conscious participation in the path of divine guidance.
Conclusion: The epistemological transformation in understanding verse 11 of Surah At-Taghabun reflects the dynamic nature of Quranic interpretation and its capacity to address the evolving needs of humanity throughout history. This shift has reoriented human perception of afflictions from passive submission to active engagement in the path of divine guidance.