يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتِىَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَنِّى فَضَّلْتُكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 47
Translations
O Children of Israel, remember My favor that I have bestowed upon you and that I preferred you over the worlds [i.e., peoples].
Transliteration
Ya bani isra'ila aadhkuroo ni'mati allatee an'amtu alaikum wa anni faddaltukum ala al-alameen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses the Children of Israel, commanding them to remember His blessings upon them and acknowledge that He has favored them above all peoples of their time. This refers to the numerous miracles and bounties bestowed upon them, such as the splitting of the sea, manna and quails, the Torah, and other divine favors. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah serves as both a reminder of Allah's grace and an implicit warning against ingratitude, as such blessings entail corresponding responsibilities to obey Allah's commandments.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the early Medinan section of Surah Al-Baqarah, where Allah addresses the Jewish communities of Medina. The context reflects the relationship between the Muslim community and the People of the Book, reminding them of their privileged status in history while also implying the expectation of proper conduct and faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are the best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). This relates thematically to the concept of honoring covenants and fulfilling obligations that come with blessings. Additionally, numerous hadiths emphasize shukr (gratitude) as essential, such as in Sunan Ibn Majah regarding the importance of being thankful to Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that blessings from Allah come with implicit responsibilities; remembering divine favors should inspire gratitude and obedience rather than arrogance or complacency. For believers today, it serves as a reminder to regularly acknowledge Allah's bounties and ensure our actions reflect appreciation for the guidance and mercies He has granted us.