وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاوَوا۟ وَّنَصَرُوٓا۟ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ 74
Translations
But those who have believed and emigrated and fought in the cause of Allāh and those who gave shelter and aided - it is they who are the believers, truly. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina amanu wa-hajarun wa-jahadu fi sabili-llahi wa-alladhina awaw wa-nasaru ula'ika humu-l-mu'minun haqqan; lahum maghfiratun wa-rizqun karim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah defines true believers as those who possess both internal faith and external actions: believing in Allah, emigrating from lands of disbelief (hijra), striving in the path of Allah (jihad), and those who provide refuge and support to the believers. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that these four categories represent the complete manifestation of true faith, and Allah promises such believers forgiveness of sins and generous provision in both this life and the Hereafter. Al-Tabari notes that the phrase 'al-mu'minun haqqan' (true believers indeed) indicates that these actions are inseparable from genuine faith, distinguishing sincere believers from those whose faith is merely verbal.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within Surah Al-Anfal, which addresses the Battle of Badr and related matters of warfare and community relations. The context follows discussions about the distribution of war spoils and the relationships between the Muhajirun (emigrants from Mecca) and the Ansar (helpers in Medina), emphasizing the unity and mutual support required within the Muslim community during times of trial.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim records: 'None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,' reflecting the theme of mutual support (nusrah) mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that authentic faith requires both personal conviction and concrete actions in service of Allah's cause, while also emphasizing the importance of community support and solidarity. For modern Muslims, this highlights that belief without struggle and contribution to the faith community remains incomplete, and that supporting fellow believers in their spiritual journey is a fundamental Islamic obligation.
Related Ayahs
إِذْ يُغَشِّيكُمُ ٱلنُّعَاسَ أَمَنَةً مِّنْهُ وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً لِّيُطَهِّرَكُم بِهِۦ وَيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمْ رِجْزَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ وَلِيَرْبِطَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتَ بِهِ ٱلْأَقْدَامَ
[Remember] when He overwhelmed you with drowsiness [giving] security from Him and sent down upon you from the sky, rain by which to purify you and remove from you the evil [suggestions] of Satan and to make steadfast your hearts and plant firmly thereby your feet.
وَإِذْ قَالُوا۟ ٱللَّهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَـٰذَا هُوَ ٱلْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ فَأَمْطِرْ عَلَيْنَا حِجَارَةً مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَوِ ٱئْتِنَا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
And [remember] when they said, "O Allāh, if this should be the truth from You, then rain down upon us stones from the sky or bring us a painful punishment."
فَإِمَّا تَثْقَفَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَرْبِ فَشَرِّدْ بِهِم مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
So if you, [O Muḥammad], gain dominance over them in war, disperse by [means of] them those behind them that perhaps they will be reminded.
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ فِتْنَةً لَّا تُصِيبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنكُمْ خَآصَّةً ۖ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
And fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively, and know that Allāh is severe in penalty.