وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ 42
Translations
But those who believed and did righteous deeds - We charge no soul except [within] its capacity. Those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina amanu wa-'amiloo al-salihati la nukallifu nafsan illa wus'aha ula'ika ashab al-jannah hum fiha khalidun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that those who believe and perform righteous deeds will enter Paradise, emphasizing that Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity (a fundamental principle called 'tawhid al-burden'). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this verse as a source of comfort, indicating that acceptance into Paradise is contingent upon sincere faith combined with righteous action, with accountability measured according to individual capability and circumstances.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-A'raf within a broader context of describing the Day of Judgment and the differentiation between the inhabitants of Paradise and Hellfire. It comes after verses discussing those who reject faith, serving as a contrasting promise of reward for believers. The theme reflects the Meccan period's emphasis on monotheism and the afterlife.
Related Hadiths
Hadith from Sahih Bukhari: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if they are small.' Also relevant: Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet said, 'Verily, Allah has prescribed excellence in all things' (ihsan), connecting to the quality of righteous deeds mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah provides reassurance that spiritual progress is achievable within one's individual capacity—Allah does not expect the impossible from believers, only sincere effort and intention. Modern readers should find hope in knowing that perfection is not required, but consistency, sincerity, and striving within one's abilities are what lead to eternal success.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِمَّآ أَن تُلْقِىَ وَإِمَّآ أَن نَّكُونَ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُلْقِينَ
They said, "O Moses, either you throw [your staff], or we will be the ones to throw [first]."
وَلَمَّا رَجَعَ مُوسَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ غَضْبَـٰنَ أَسِفًا قَالَ بِئْسَمَا خَلَفْتُمُونِى مِنۢ بَعْدِىٓ ۖ أَعَجِلْتُمْ أَمْرَ رَبِّكُمْ ۖ وَأَلْقَى ٱلْأَلْوَاحَ وَأَخَذَ بِرَأْسِ أَخِيهِ يَجُرُّهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِ ۚ قَالَ ٱبْنَ أُمَّ إِنَّ ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱسْتَضْعَفُونِى وَكَادُوا۟ يَقْتُلُونَنِى فَلَا تُشْمِتْ بِىَ ٱلْأَعْدَآءَ وَلَا تَجْعَلْنِى مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, "How wretched is that by which you have replaced me after [my departure]. Were you impatient over the matter of your Lord?" And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by [the hair of] his head, pulling him toward him. [Aaron] said, "O son of my mother, indeed the people overpowered me and were about to kill me, so let not the enemies rejoice over me and do not place me among the wrongdoing people."
فَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ لَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُمْ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّى وَنَصَحْتُ لَكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُحِبُّونَ ٱلنَّـٰصِحِينَ
And he [i.e., Ṣāliḥ] turned away from them and said, "O my people, I had certainly conveyed to you the message of my Lord and advised you, but you do not like advisors."
أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْـًٔا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ
Do they associate with Him those who create nothing and they are [themselves] created?