إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 218
Translations
Indeed, those who have believed and those who have emigrated and fought in the cause of Allāh - those expect the mercy of Allāh. And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Inna alladhina amanu wa alladhina hajaru wa jahadu fi sabil illah ula'ika yarjun rahmata illah wa illahu ghafurun rahimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that those who believe in Allah, and those who emigrated (made hijrah) and strived in the way of Allah have hope in His mercy. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse specifically honors the believers who made sacrifices through hijrah and jihad, assuring them that despite the hardships they endured, they remain within the scope of Allah's forgiveness and mercy. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the verse encompasses all believers, but gives special mention to those who emigrated and struggled, as their actions demonstrate the sincerity of their faith.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina during a period when the Muslim community faced opposition and persecution, necessitating migration from Mecca. This ayah was revealed in the context of encouraging the believers who had sacrificed their homes, wealth, and safety for their faith, assuring them of divine reward and mercy for their struggle in Allah's cause.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people is a believer who strives with his wealth and his self in the way of Allah' (Tirmidhi). Also, 'Whoever migrates for the sake of Allah will find many places of refuge and abundance on earth' (Sahih Bukhari 2521).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere belief combined with sacrifice and struggle in Allah's cause does not go unnoticed, and that Allah's mercy encompasses those who strive earnestly. For modern believers, it reminds us that every sacrifice made for faith—whether through emigration, dawah, or personal struggle against one's desires—is recorded by Allah and deserves His infinite compassion and reward.
Related Ayahs
وَقَـٰتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ ٱلدِّينُ لِلَّهِ ۖ فَإِنِ ٱنتَهَوْا۟ فَلَا عُدْوَٰنَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] religion [i.e., worship] is [acknowledged to be] for Allāh. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression [i.e., assault] except against the oppressors.
وَإِنْ عَزَمُوا۟ ٱلطَّلَـٰقَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And if they decide on divorce - then indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَـٰذَا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۖ فَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ
So woe to those who write the "scripture" with their own hands, then say, "This is from Allāh," in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.
فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا۟ فَأْذَنُوا۟ بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ
And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allāh and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal - [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.