وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِى نَفْسَهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ رَءُوفٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ 207
Translations
And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allāh. And Allāh is Kind to [His] servants.
Transliteration
Wa mina an-nasi man yarshi nafsahu ibtighaa mardati Allah, wa-Allah raoof bil-ibad
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those exceptional believers who sacrifice their lives and souls in pursuit of Allah's pleasure, exemplifying the highest form of devotion and selflessness. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as referring to those who dedicate themselves entirely to Allah's cause, whether through martyrdom, sincere service, or complete submission. The ayah concludes by emphasizing Allah's compassion and mercy toward His servants, assuring believers that such sacrifice is recognized and rewarded by the Most Merciful.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the early Medinan period within Surah Al-Baqarah's discussion of various types of people and their relationship with faith. It comes in a section contrasting different responses to divine guidance, highlighting those who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to Allah's will amid a diverse community of believers.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of Khuzaimah ibn Thabit (reported in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) exemplifies this ayah—he sold his properties and gave all proceeds in charity for Allah's sake. Additionally, the general hadith about the best deeds (Sahih Bukhari) emphasizes sincere intention and complete devotion to Allah's pleasure as the foundation of righteous action.
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith demands complete dedication and willingness to sacrifice personal desires for Allah's pleasure, yet believers should take solace knowing that Allah's mercy encompasses all sincere servants. This ayah teaches that the measure of faith is not merely external actions, but the degree to which one's heart and soul are surrendered to the Divine will.
Related Ayahs
۞ أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ وَهُمْ أُلُوفٌ حَذَرَ ٱلْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مُوتُوا۟ ثُمَّ أَحْيَـٰهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
Have you not considered those who left their homes in many thousands, fearing death? Allāh said to them, "Die"; then He restored them to life. And Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the people, but most of the people do not show gratitude.
ثُمَّ أَفِيضُوا۟ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفَاضَ ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Then depart from the place from where [all] the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ قَالُوٓا۟ أَتُحَدِّثُونَهُم بِمَا فَتَحَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لِيُحَآجُّوكُم بِهِۦ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We have believed"; but when they are alone with one another, they say, "Do you talk to them about what Allāh has revealed to you so they can argue with you about it before your Lord?" Then will you not reason?
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
And when My servants ask you, [O Muḥammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.