"And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you; then We seized them with poverty and hardship" (al-ba'sa'): misery, which is the severity of drought and hardship of living. And 'al-darra' (hardship) means: harm from illnesses and pains, "so that they might humble themselves [before Us]."
﴿وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلنَا إِلَى أُمَمٍ مِنْ قبلك فأخذناهم بالبأساء وَالضَّرَّاء﴾ الْبَأْسَاءُ: الْبُؤْسُ؛ وَهِيَ الشَّدَائِدُ مِنَ الْجُدُوبَةِ، وَشِدَّةِ الْمَعَاشِ. وَالضَّرَّاءُ يَعْنِي: الضُّرَّ مِنَ الْأَمْرَاضِ وَالْأَوْجَاعِ ﴿لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ﴾
