ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ 59
Translations
Who have been patient and upon their Lord rely.
Transliteration
Alladhīna sabaru wa-'alā rabbihim yatawakkalūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the qualities of those who are truly faithful: they exercise patience (sabr) in facing trials and hardships, and they place their complete trust and reliance (tawakkul) in Allah alone. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that sabr and tawakkul are complementary virtues—patience prevents despair during difficulties, while trust in Allah affirms that He alone controls all affairs and outcomes. These believers recognize that their efforts combined with Allah's will are what determine results, freeing them from anxiety about circumstances beyond their control.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-'Ankabut was revealed during the Meccan period when early Muslims faced intense persecution. This ayah appears in a section addressing believers who endure hardship (29:2-3 mentions those tested with trials), providing spiritual encouragement that patience and trust in Allah are the hallmarks of genuine faith and will lead to divine support.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'And know that if the whole Ummah gathered together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you except with what Allah has written for you, and if they gathered to harm you, they would not harm you except with what Allah has written against you.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2516, graded Hasan). Additionally, 'No one is given a better gift than patience.' (Sahih Bukhari 5059).
Themes
Key Lesson
For modern believers, this ayah teaches that true faith is demonstrated not merely through verbal affirmation but through steadfast patience during trials and genuine trust that Allah's plan is best, even when circumstances appear difficult. By cultivating both sabr and tawakkul, Muslims can navigate life's challenges with inner peace, knowing they are fulfilling the core obligations of their faith.
Related Ayahs
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient,
۞ وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the merciful."
وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَـٰهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ
[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allāh].
وَٱصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ
And be patient, [O Muḥammad], and your patience is not but through Allāh. And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they conspire.