وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَمَثُوبَةٌ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ ۖ لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ 103
Translations
And if they had believed and feared Allāh, then the reward from Allāh would have been [far] better, if they only knew.
Transliteration
Wa law annahum amanoo wattaqaw lamathawbatun min 'indi Allahi khayrun law kanoo ya'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Jews of Medina, stating that if they had believed in the Prophet Muhammad and feared Allah (taqwa), the reward from Allah would have been far better than whatever they were pursuing through their rejection and stubbornness. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse presents a conditional statement highlighting the superiority of faith and piety over worldly gains and tribal pride, while lamenting their lack of knowledge and wisdom in making such a choice.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a passage (2:99-103) addressing the People of the Book, particularly the Jewish tribes of Medina who rejected the Message despite clear signs. It follows verses condemning their resistance to revelation and serves as a merciful reminder of what they could have gained through acceptance, while critiquing their deliberate ignorance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who have the best character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3662), relating to the theme of spiritual reward. Additionally, the Hadith emphasizing 'Knowledge is what benefits' (Sunan Ibn Majah 223) connects to the ayah's reference to their lack of understanding ('law kanoo ya'lamun').
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true success and reward come through sincere belief and God-consciousness, and invites reflection on whether we are knowingly or unknowingly rejecting blessings that could transform our lives. It serves as a reminder that Allah's rewards for faith are immeasurably greater than any worldly benefit we might gain through disobedience.
Related Ayahs
وَعَلَّمَ ءَادَمَ ٱلْأَسْمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنۢبِـُٔونِى بِأَسْمَآءِ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
And He taught Adam the names - all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, "Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful."
وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
And establish prayer and give zakāh, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allāh. Indeed Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ إِن تَرَكَ خَيْرًا ٱلْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
Prescribed for you when death approaches [any] one of you if he leaves wealth [is that he should make] a bequest for the parents and near relatives according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مَنًّا وَلَآ أَذًى ۙ لَّهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allāh and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.