وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ 4
Translations
And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].
Transliteration
Wa alladhīna yu'minūna bimā unzila ilayka wa mā unzila min qablika wa bil-ākhirati hum yūqinūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristics of the believers (al-Mu'minūn) who form the righteous community addressed in Surah Al-Baqarah. They are those who have faith in the Qur'an revealed to Prophet Muhammad, acknowledge the truth of previous scriptures (Torah, Gospel, Psalms), and possess unwavering certainty in the Day of Judgment and the Hereafter. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse establishes three pillars of Islamic belief: acceptance of the final revelation, recognition of previous messengers and scriptures, and firm conviction in the afterlife—together forming the foundation of Islamic monotheism (Tawhīd).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the opening section of Surah Al-Baqarah (verses 1-5), which describes the Qur'an's guidance and those who benefit from it. Though revealed in Medina, this passage establishes universal principles of faith applicable to all believers, whether from People of the Book or those entering Islam. It forms part of the contextual framework where Allah describes those who will find guidance in the Qur'an.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of belief in previous scriptures: 'The Messenger of Allah said, "None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself" (Sahih Bukhari 13). More directly related: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest' (Sahih Bukhari 5186), indicating the practical fruits of believing in the afterlife.
Themes
Key Lesson
True Islamic faith requires accepting not only the Qur'an but honoring the lineage of prophets and scriptures that came before, while maintaining unshakeable conviction in divine accountability in the afterlife. This teaches believers that faith is both comprehensive in scope and certain in conviction, demanding both intellectual acknowledgment and heart-felt assurance.