يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِۦ وَأَنَّهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ 24
Translations
O you who have believed, respond to Allāh and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allāh intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu istajeebu lillahi wa al-rasuli idha da'akum lima yuhyikum wa'alamoo anna Allaha yaholu bayna al-mar'i wa qalbih wa annahu ilayhi tuhsharun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to respond to the call of Allah and His Messenger when summoned toward that which gives life to their souls and spiritual well-being. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'what gives life' (lima yuhyikum) refers to the Quran, faith, and righteous deeds that revive the dead hearts. The second part serves as a stern reminder that Allah has absolute control over hearts—He can seal, harden, or open them as He wills—and that all mankind will ultimately be resurrected before Him on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina during the early Islamic period, this ayah appears in Surah Al-Anfal which discusses the Battle of Badr and principles of obedience and faith. The context addresses believers who must prioritize responding to divine guidance over worldly distractions, with the reminder that true life comes through submission to Allah and His Messenger.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The heart becomes rusty just as iron becomes rusty when water passes over it. The rust of the heart is forgetfulness and heedlessness.' (At-Tirmidhi) - This relates to the concept of hearts needing revitalization through remembrance. Also relevant is the hadith: 'Truly in the body is a piece of flesh; if it is sound, the entire body is sound; if it is corrupt, the entire body is corrupt. Truly it is the heart.' (Sahih Bukhari 52)
Themes
Key Lesson
When Allah and His Messenger call us toward guidance, we must respond promptly and sincerely, recognizing that true life and success come through faith and obedience, not worldly pursuits. We should remain vigilant about the state of our hearts, remembering that Allah alone controls them, and that all our deeds will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment.