وَإِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَٱلدَّارَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْمُحْسِنَـٰتِ مِنكُنَّ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا 29
Translations
But if you should desire Allāh and His Messenger and the home of the Hereafter - then indeed, Allāh has prepared for the doers of good among you a great reward."
Transliteration
Wa in kuntunna tureedna Allaha wa rasoolahu wa ad-dara al-akhirah fa inna Allaha a'adda lil-muhsinati minkunna ajran 'aẓeema
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him), offering them a choice between remaining with him or separation, contingent on their sincere intention to seek Allah, His Messenger, and the Hereafter. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that those among them who demonstrate excellent conduct and devotion to these noble goals will receive from Allah an immense reward, emphasizing that righteous deeds and pure intentions are the basis for divine recompense.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the passage (33:28-34) revealed in Medina regarding the Prophet's wives, likely after the Battle of the Ditch (Ahzab). The context involves the Prophet offering his wives a choice to either remain with him accepting a modest lifestyle, or to be released with maintenance. This reflects the testing of the wives' commitment to faith over material comfort.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim report that 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) chose Allah and His Messenger over worldly provisions when given this choice. Additionally, the hadith in Tirmidhi emphasizes that actions are judged by intentions (Niyyah), directly relating to the emphasis on sincere intention in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that noble intentions and righteous conduct, not material possessions or worldly status, are the true measures of spiritual worth and divine reward. For believers today, it emphasizes that choosing closeness to Allah and the remembrance of the Hereafter, even when it requires sacrifice, guarantees immeasurable divine recompense.
Related Ayahs
وَرَدَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِغَيْظِهِمْ لَمْ يَنَالُوا۟ خَيْرًا ۚ وَكَفَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلْقِتَالَ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ قَوِيًّا عَزِيزًا
And Allāh repelled those who disbelieved, in their rage, not having obtained any good. And sufficient was Allāh for the believers in battle, and ever is Allāh Powerful and Exalted in Might.
وَٱذْكُرْنَ مَا يُتْلَىٰ فِى بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْحِكْمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا
And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allāh and wisdom. Indeed, Allāh is ever Subtle and Aware.
۞ لَّئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَٱلْمُرْجِفُونَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ لَنُغْرِيَنَّكَ بِهِمْ ثُمَّ لَا يُجَاوِرُونَكَ فِيهَآ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease and those who spread rumors in al-Madīnah do not cease, We will surely incite you against them; then they will not remain your neighbors therein except for a little,
ٱدْعُوهُمْ لِـَٔابَآئِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ ءَابَآءَهُمْ فَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَمَوَٰلِيكُمْ ۚ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَآ أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allāh. But if you do not know their fathers - then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.