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
ٱلشَّهْرُ ٱلْحَرَامُ بِٱلشَّهْرِ ٱلْحَرَامِ وَٱلْحُرُمَـٰتُ قِصَاصٌ ۚ فَمَنِ ٱعْتَدَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَٱعْتَدُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا ٱعْتَدَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
[Battle in] the sacred month is for [aggression committed in] the sacred month, and for [all] violations is legal retribution. So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allāh and know that Allāh is with those who fear Him.
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِۦ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَلَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ءَايَـٰتٍۭ بَيِّنَـٰتٍ ۖ وَمَا يَكْفُرُ بِهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ
And We have certainly revealed to you verses [which are] clear proofs, and no one would deny them except the defiantly disobedient.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْعَذَابَ بِٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ فَمَآ أَصْبَرَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ
Those are the ones who have exchanged guidance for error and forgiveness for punishment. How patient they are for [i.e., in pursuit of] the Fire!