أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُمْ دَرَجَـٰتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ 4
Translations
Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.
Transliteration
Ulaa'ika humu al-mu'minoon haqqa, lahum darajatun 'inda rabbihim wa maghfiratun wa rizqun kareem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the true believers (those mentioned in the preceding verses who establish prayer and spend from what Allah has given them) as possessing genuine faith, and promises them elevated ranks with their Lord, forgiveness of sins, and generous provision. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that these rewards are specifically for those whose faith is demonstrated through righteous deeds—not mere verbal affirmation—and that the 'degrees' (darajat) refer to levels of honor and closeness to Allah in Paradise.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes the description of true believers found in verses 2-4 of Surah Al-Anfal, which was revealed in Medina after the Battle of Badr. The context addresses the qualities that distinguish genuine believers from hypocrites and those with weak faith, particularly emphasizing their commitment to prayer and charity despite the hardships of early Islamic society.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of people are those with the best character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2003), relating to the demonstration of faith through deeds. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized that faith is 'that which settles in the heart and is confirmed by deeds.'
Themes
Key Lesson
True belief is not merely an internal conviction but must manifest through consistent righteous actions—particularly prayer and generosity—and those who embody this comprehensive faith receive not only spiritual elevation but also divine forgiveness and abundant blessings in this life and the next.
Related Ayahs
وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ
But if they turn away - then know that Allāh is your protector. Excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and of those before them. They disbelieved in the signs of Allāh, so Allāh seized them for their sins. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and severe in penalty.
وَقَـٰتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ ٱلدِّينُ كُلُّهُۥ لِلَّهِ ۚ فَإِنِ ٱنتَهَوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
And fight against them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion [i.e., worship], all of it, is for Allāh. And if they cease - then indeed, Allāh is Seeing of what they do.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَلَا تَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَنتُمْ تَسْمَعُونَ
O you who have believed, obey Allāh and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear [his order].