إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ 14
Translations
Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. Indeed, Allāh does what He intends.
Transliteration
Inna Allaha yudkhilu alladhina amanu wa amiloo assalihati jannatin tajri min tahtiha al-anharu. Inna Allaha yafalu ma yurid.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's promise of Paradise to those who combine sincere faith (iman) with righteous deeds (amal salih), describing it as gardens beneath which rivers flow. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this emphasizes that entering Paradise requires both belief and action, rejecting the notion that faith alone without deeds suffices. The concluding phrase 'Indeed, Allah does what He wills' underscores Allah's absolute sovereignty and wisdom in determining Paradise as the reward for the believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Hajj (a Medinan chapter), which discusses the pilgrimage and various aspects of Islamic practice and belief. The surah was revealed after the hijra and addresses the believers regarding their obligations and the rewards promised by Allah. This particular ayah fits within the broader theme of the surah's encouragement of faith and good deeds.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'None of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone.' They asked, 'Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?' He replied, 'Not even me, unless Allah covers me with His mercy' (Sahih Muslim 2816). This hadith complements the ayah by emphasizing that while deeds are essential, Allah's mercy is ultimately decisive.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true success requires both sincere faith in Allah and consistent righteous action in daily life; neither alone is sufficient. It reminds us that our efforts matter, yet ultimate outcomes rest with Allah's wisdom and mercy, encouraging humility alongside striving.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَيَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ غِلْمَانٌ لَّهُمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لُؤْلُؤٌ مَّكْنُونٌ
There will circulate among them [servant] boys [especially] for them, as if they were pearls well-protected.
لَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
But those who have feared their Lord - for them are chambers, above them chambers built high, beneath which rivers flow. [This is] the promise of Allāh. Allāh does not fail in [His] promise.
خِتَـٰمُهُۥ مِسْكٌ ۚ وَفِى ذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَتَنَافَسِ ٱلْمُتَنَـٰفِسُونَ
The last of it is musk. So for this let the competitors compete.
فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? -