وَٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 69
Translations
And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allāh is with the doers of good.
Transliteration
Wa alladhina jahadoo feena lanahdiyannahum subulanaa wa inna Allaha lama'a al-muhsineen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah promises that those who strive and struggle in the way of Allah (jihad in the broader sense of spiritual and moral effort) will be guided by Allah to His paths and ways of righteousness. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that the word 'jahadu' (strove) encompasses all forms of sincere effort in obedience to Allah, and in return, Allah grants them guidance (hidayah) that increases their understanding and steadfastness. The ayah concludes with the assurance that Allah is certainly with those who do good (al-muhsineen), offering them divine support and protection.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-'Ankabut is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when believers faced persecution. This ayah is contextually placed within themes of testing, perseverance, and the trials faced by the Prophet and his companions. It serves as encouragement to those struggling against oppression and doubt, assuring them that their sincere efforts will not go unrewarded.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever strives for Us, We will guide him to Our ways' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2687, authenticated by scholars). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet taught that Allah helps those who help themselves through righteous action and sincere intention.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere effort and struggle in pursuing righteousness leads to divine guidance and assistance—the more one strives earnestly toward Allah, the more Allah opens doors of understanding and success. For modern believers, it emphasizes that personal spiritual growth requires active effort combined with trust in Allah's promise of support.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا لَنَآ أَلَّا نَتَوَكَّلَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وَقَدْ هَدَىٰنَا سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَلَنَصْبِرَنَّ عَلَىٰ مَآ ءَاذَيْتُمُونَا ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
And why should we not rely upon Allāh while He has guided us to our [good] ways. And we will surely be patient against whatever harm you should cause us. And upon Allāh let those who would rely [indeed] rely."
إِنْ أَنتَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ
You, [O Muḥammad], are not but a warner.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ
And We did certainly send Moses with Our signs and a clear authority
رَبَّنَا وَٱبْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."