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 جَنَحُوا۟ لِلسَّلْمِ فَٱجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allāh. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing.
قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِن يَنتَهُوا۟ يُغْفَرْ لَهُم مَّا قَدْ سَلَفَ وَإِن يَعُودُوا۟ فَقَدْ مَضَتْ سُنَّتُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place.
وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۚ لَوْ أَنفَقْتَ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَّآ أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
And brought together their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have brought their hearts together; but Allāh brought them together. Indeed, He is Exalted in Might and Wise.
إِنَّ شَرَّ ٱلدَّوَآبِّ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allāh are those who have disbelieved, and they will not [ever] believe-