وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِى ٱلزَّبُورِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلذِّكْرِ أَنَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِىَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُونَ 105
Translations
And We have already written in the book [of Psalms] after the [previous] mention that the land [of Paradise] is inherited by My righteous servants.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad katabna fi al-zaburi min ba'd al-dhikri anna al-arda yarithuha ibadi al-salihun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah has written in the Psalms (Zabur) that the earth will be inherited by His righteous servants. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a divine promise that ultimately the righteous believers will inherit the earth and enjoy its blessings, while the transgressors will be removed. The verse connects to Psalm 37:29 and emphasizes Allah's justice in giving dominion to those who submit to Him and perform righteous deeds.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Anbiya, which is Meccan and discusses various prophets and divine promises. The verse contextually follows discussions of prophets and divine scriptures, reinforcing the continuity of Allah's message across different revealed books. It serves as a consolation to believers facing persecution in Mecca, assuring them of ultimate divine victory.
Related Hadiths
The concept is reflected in various hadiths about the ultimate victory of believers. For example, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding the righteous: 'This ummah will remain good as long as they have righteous leaders.' Additionally, hadiths about inheriting the earth relate to the Day of Judgment when believers will inherit Paradise and the renewed earth.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that righteousness and piety are not futile efforts, but guaranteed to be rewarded by Allah with ultimate dominion and success. It encourages steadfastness in faith during times of hardship, knowing that Allah's promise is certain and that the righteous will ultimately inherit the blessings of this world and the next.
Related Ayahs
أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ هُمْ يُنشِرُونَ
Or have they [i.e., men] taken for themselves gods from the earth who resurrect [the dead]?
لَاهِيَةً قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ وَأَسَرُّوا۟ ٱلنَّجْوَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ هَلْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ ۖ أَفَتَأْتُونَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَأَنتُمْ تُبْصِرُونَ
With their hearts distracted. And those who do wrong conceal their private conversation, [saying], "Is this [Prophet] except a human being like you? So would you approach magic while you are aware [of it]?"
فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ وَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلْغَمِّ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُـۨجِى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.
وَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةِ ۖ وَكَانُوا۟ لَنَا عَـٰبِدِينَ
And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakāh; and they were worshippers of Us.