مَّن يُصْرَفْ عَنْهُ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمَهُۥ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْمُبِينُ 16
Translations
He from whom it is averted that Day - [Allāh] has granted him mercy. And that is the clear attainment.
Transliteration
Man yusraf 'anhu yawma'idhin faqad rahamahu, wa dhalika al-fawz al-mubin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Day of Judgment, stating that whoever is spared or averted from punishment on that Day has indeed been shown mercy by Allah, and this is the clear/manifest success. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse emphasizes that deliverance from the punishment of the Day of Resurrection is the greatest mercy and the ultimate victory, as it represents salvation from eternal torment. The 'turning away' (sarf) of punishment is understood as divine protection and forgiveness.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-An'am, a Meccan surah that extensively discusses monotheism, the resurrection, and the Day of Judgment. Verse 6:16 is part of a passage (verses 15-16) contrasting the desires of disbelievers with the true success of believers, emphasizing that worldly gains pale in comparison to salvation on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever is forgiven by Allah on the Day of Resurrection, he is indeed successful' (related concept in various hadith collections). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet emphasizes that 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' - showing that merciful treatment in this life reflects Allah's mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that the greatest success is not material wealth or worldly achievement, but rather Allah's mercy and protection from His punishment on the Day of Judgment. It should motivate us to prioritize our relationship with Allah and righteousness over fleeting worldly pursuits, recognizing that ultimate victory lies only in divine forgiveness and salvation.
Related Ayahs
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ فَمُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمُسْتَوْدَعٌ ۗ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَفْقَهُونَ
And it is He who produced you from one soul and [gave you] a place of dwelling and of storage. We have detailed the signs for a people who understand.
وَكَيْفَ أَخَافُ مَآ أَشْرَكْتُمْ وَلَا تَخَافُونَ أَنَّكُمْ أَشْرَكْتُم بِٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِۦ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَـٰنًا ۚ فَأَىُّ ٱلْفَرِيقَيْنِ أَحَقُّ بِٱلْأَمْنِ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
And how should I fear what you associate while you do not fear that you have associated with Allāh that for which He has not sent down to you any authority? So which of the two parties has more right to security, if you should know?"
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُم بِٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ
And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muḥammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us].
قَدْ نَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُۥ لَيَحْزُنُكَ ٱلَّذِى يَقُولُونَ ۖ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يُكَذِّبُونَكَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
We know that you, [O Muḥammad], are saddened by what they say. And indeed, they do not call you untruthful, but it is the verses of Allāh that the wrongdoers reject.