يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَسُولِهِۦ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ نُورًا تَمْشُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 28
Translations
O you who have believed, fear Allāh and believe in His Messenger; He will [then] give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you; and Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu ittaqu allaha wa aminu bi-rasulih, yu'tikum kiflain min rahmatih, wa yaj'al lakum nuran tamshuna bih, wa yaghfir lakum; wallahu ghafurun rahim.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the believers, commanding them to fear Allah and have complete faith in His Messenger, promising them two portions of His mercy—one for their faith and one for their obedience. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret 'two portions' (kiflain) as referring to the twofold blessing of guidance in this world and reward in the Hereafter. The ayah emphasizes that sincere taqwa (God-consciousness) combined with genuine belief in the Prophet yields divine light for guidance, forgiveness of sins, and the manifestation of Allah's mercy and compassion.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Hadid was revealed in Madinah during the later Meccan/early Medinan period. This ayah appears in the context of encouraging believers to spend in charity and maintain righteousness, following the discussion of material wealth. The broader surah addresses the transient nature of worldly life and the importance of spiritual investment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, performs the prayer, and gives the Zakat, I will guarantee him Paradise' (Sahih Bukhari 2751). Also relevant: 'The best of you are those who have the best character' (Sunan Ibn Majah 4212), connecting taqwa with righteous conduct.
Themes
Key Lesson
True believers must unite both consciousness of Allah (taqwa) with unwavering faith in the Prophet's message—this combination unlocks divine mercy and becomes a guiding light through life's complexities. In our modern world, this teaches us that spiritual fulfillment requires both ethical awareness and adherence to revealed guidance, leading to peace and forgiveness.