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
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Indeed, Allāh knows whatever thing they call upon other than Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
وَلَمَّا جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ بِٱلْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مُهْلِكُوٓا۟ أَهْلِ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ۖ إِنَّ أَهْلَهَا كَانُوا۟ ظَـٰلِمِينَ
And when Our messengers [i.e., angels] came to Abraham with the good tidings, they said, "Indeed, we will destroy the people of that [i.e., Lot's] city. Indeed, its people have been wrongdoers."
أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِهِمْ أَنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَرَحْمَةً وَذِكْرَىٰ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
And is it not sufficient for them that We revealed to you the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] which is recited to them? Indeed in that is a mercy and reminder for a people who believe.
وَقَالَ إِنَّمَا ٱتَّخَذْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْثَـٰنًا مَّوَدَّةَ بَيْنِكُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ ثُمَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكْفُرُ بَعْضُكُم بِبَعْضٍ وَيَلْعَنُ بَعْضُكُم بَعْضًا وَمَأْوَىٰكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
And [Abraham] said, "You have only taken, other than Allāh, idols as [a bond of] affection among you in worldly life. Then on the Day of Resurrection you will deny one another and curse one another, and your refuge will be the Fire, and you will not have any helpers."