ٱلَّذِينَ إِن مَّكَّنَّـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَمَرُوا۟ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا۟ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْأُمُورِ 41
Translations
[And they are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakāh and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allāh belongs the outcome of [all] matters.
Transliteration
Alladhina in makkannāhum fil-ardi aqāmū as-salāta wa ātaw az-zakāta wa amarū bil-ma'rūf wa nahaw 'anil-munkar wa lillāhi 'āqibatu al-umūr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the qualities of those believers whom Allah grants authority and power in the land: they establish the prayer, give zakat, command good, and forbid evil. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this verse emphasizes that true believers entrusted with political authority use their power to uphold Islamic principles and promote virtue in society. The closing phrase 'and to Allah belongs the ultimate outcome of all matters' reminds us that despite worldly power, all affairs ultimately return to Allah's judgment and wisdom.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Hajj, a Medinan surah that addresses the early Muslim community's struggles and their permission to fight. The verse comes in the context of discussing those who are wronged and permitted to fight back, emphasizing that when Muslims gain strength, they must use it righteously to establish Islamic values rather than oppress others.
Related Hadiths
The concept is supported by the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; and if he cannot, then with his tongue; and if he cannot, then with his heart' (Muslim 49). Additionally, the hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah emphasizes the ruler's responsibility to establish prayer and justice in the land.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers entrusted with authority must recognize this as a trust from Allah, not an opportunity for personal gain, and must use their power to promote Islamic values and social justice. For all Muslims, this ayah reminds us that contributing to good in society through moral guidance is a collective responsibility that pleases Allah, regardless of our station.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلْمَجُوسَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
Indeed, those who have believed and those who were Jews and the Sabeans and the Christians and the Magians and those who associated with Allāh - Allāh will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed Allāh is, over all things, Witness.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَأَنَّ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ هُوَ ٱلْبَـٰطِلُ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْكَبِيرُ
That is because Allāh is the True Reality, and that which they call upon other than Him is falsehood, and because Allāh is the Most High, the Grand.
ثَانِىَ عِطْفِهِۦ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَهُۥ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌ ۖ وَنُذِيقُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
Twisting his neck [in arrogance] to mislead [people] from the way of Allāh. For him in the world is disgrace, and We will make him taste on the Day of Resurrection the punishment of the Burning Fire [while it is said],
وَأَذِّن فِى ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ
And proclaim to the people the ḥajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass -