يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ أَرْضِى وَٰسِعَةٌ فَإِيَّـٰىَ فَٱعْبُدُونِ 56
Translations
O My servants who have believed, indeed My earth is spacious, so worship only Me.
Transliteration
Ya 'ibadi alladhina amanu inna ardi waasi'atun fa-iyyaya fa'budun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is Allah's address to His believing servants, reassuring them that His earth is vast and spacious, and commanding them to worship only Him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's directive to believers facing persecution or hardship to migrate to safer lands where they can practice their faith freely, while emphasizing that true worship transcends geographical boundaries—what matters is sincere devotion to Allah alone. The verse combines practical guidance (emigration as a permissible solution) with spiritual principle (exclusive worship of Allah).
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Meccan period when Muslims faced severe persecution from the Quraysh, providing both permission and encouragement for believers to emigrate (hijrah) to regions where they could worship safely. Within Surah Al-'Ankabut's broader context of testing faith and steadfastness, this verse serves as a compassionate reminder that Allah provides means of relief for His persecuted servants.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever leaves their home in the cause of Allah will find many places of refuge and abundance on earth' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet commanded emigration from lands of oppression: 'Whoever among you cannot establish the religion should emigrate' (related to various collections on hijrah).
Themes
Key Lesson
For believers facing oppression or inability to practice faith freely, Allah provides practical solutions and alternatives, yet the ultimate objective remains sincere, undivided worship of the Creator. This teaches modern Muslims that removing oneself from spiritually harmful environments is permissible and sometimes necessary, but the journey's purpose is always to draw closer to Allah.
Related Ayahs
بَلْ هُوَ ءَايَـٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَـٰتٌ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ ۚ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَّا ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
Rather, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.
أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ فَإِذَآ أُوذِىَ فِى ٱللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ ٱلنَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَئِن جَآءَ نَصْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا مَعَكُمْ ۚ أَوَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِى صُدُورِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allāh," but when one [of them] is harmed for [the cause of] Allāh, he considers the trial [i.e., harm] of the people as [if it were] the punishment of Allāh. But if victory comes from your Lord, they say, "Indeed, We were with you." Is not Allāh most knowing of what is within the breasts of the worlds [i.e., all creatures]?
وَمَا كُنتَ تَتْلُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِن كِتَـٰبٍ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُۥ بِيَمِينِكَ ۖ إِذًا لَّٱرْتَابَ ٱلْمُبْطِلُونَ
And you did not recite before it any scripture, nor did you inscribe one with your right hand. Then [i.e., otherwise] the falsifiers would have had [cause for] doubt.