۞ وَٱكْتُبْ لَنَا فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ عَذَابِىٓ أُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَنْ أَشَآءُ ۖ وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ ۚ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ 156
Translations
And decree for us in this world [that which is] good and [also] in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned back to You." [Allāh] said, "My punishment - I afflict with it whom I will, but My mercy encompasses all things." So I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give zakāh and those who believe in Our verses-
Transliteration
Wakktub lana fee hadhihi ad-donya hasanatan wa fee al-akhirah inna hudna ilayk. Qala adhabi usibu bihi man ashaa wa rahmatee waasi'at kulla shay. Fasaaktubuhá lilladhina yattaqoon wa yu'toon az-zakah walladhina hum bi-ayatina yu'minoon.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records Musa's (Moses) supplication to Allah requesting goodness in both this life and the next, followed by Allah's response that His punishment reaches whom He wills, yet His mercy encompasses all things. Allah then specifies that He will write His mercy for those who fear Him (taqwa), give zakah (alms), and believe in His signs—establishing that divine mercy is conditional upon righteous deeds and sincere faith. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah demonstrates the balance between Allah's absolute sovereignty over punishment and mercy, while also showing that believers receive mercy through their obedience.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the context of Surah Al-A'raf's narrative about the Children of Israel and their covenant with Allah. It follows the account of the Golden Calf and represents the sincere repentance and supplication of the believers among Bani Israel, led by their prophet Musa, seeking Allah's favor in both worldly and eternal matters.
Related Hadiths
The hadith from Sahih Muslim (2877) wherein the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) states: 'My mercy encompasses all things' (rahmatee waasi'at kulla shay) directly parallels this ayah's declaration. Additionally, Tirmidhi (2516) reports that the Prophet taught his companions that taqwa (God-consciousness) and zakah are among the best deeds that bring one closer to Allah's mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
Allah's infinite mercy is always available, yet it reaches us through our conscious choice to develop taqwa, practice charity, and maintain sincere belief—reminding modern believers that spiritual benefits require both humility before Allah and tangible righteous action in this world.