وَجَـٰهِدُوا۟ فِى ٱللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِۦ ۚ هُوَ ٱجْتَبَىٰكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ۚ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمَّىٰكُمُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِى هَـٰذَا لِيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ ۚ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۖ فَنِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ 78
Translations
And strive for Allāh with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. He [i.e., Allāh] named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakāh and hold fast to Allāh. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.
Transliteration
Wa jahidoo fee Allah haqqa jihadih, huwa ijtabakum wa ma jaala alaikum fee ad-deen min haraj, millata abikum Ibrahim, huwa sammaakum al-muslimeen min qabl wa fee hadha likayun ar-rasool shaheedan alaikum wa takoonoo shuhada ala an-nas, fa aqeemoo as-salah wa atoo az-zakah wa itasimoo billah huwa mawlakum, fa ni'ma al-mawla wa ni'ma an-naseer
Tafsir (Explanation)
This concluding ayah of Surah Al-Hajj commands the Muslims to strive in the way of Allah with complete devotion while reassuring them that Allah has chosen them, placed no hardship in religion, and follows the way of Prophet Ibrahim. The Muslims are designated as witnesses over all mankind and instructed to establish prayer, give zakat, and hold firmly to Allah as their Protector and Helper. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'Jihad haqq jihadih' (striving the true way) encompasses both spiritual and physical struggle against evil, while Al-Qurtubi notes that the absence of hardship reflects Islam's moderate, balanced nature.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes Surah Al-Hajj, a Medinan chapter, and appears in the context of legislation regarding the Hajj pilgrimage and religious obligations. The ayah synthesizes major Islamic themes and serves as a comprehensive exhortation to the Muslim community regarding their role and responsibilities, particularly relevant after the establishment of the Islamic state in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The best jihad is a truthful word before a tyrannical ruler' (Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet emphasized that the greatest charity is striving in the path of Allah with one's wealth and life.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims are called to balance devotion with ease—Allah has not burdened them with impossible demands, yet expects sincere and complete effort in living righteously. As witnesses over humanity, Muslims bear responsibility to embody Islamic principles through prayer, charity, and unwavering trust in Allah, understanding that true victory comes through holding firmly to His guidance.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلْنَـٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ سَوَآءً ٱلْعَـٰكِفُ فِيهِ وَٱلْبَادِ ۚ وَمَن يُرِدْ فِيهِ بِإِلْحَادٍۭ بِظُلْمٍ نُّذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
Indeed, those who have disbelieved and avert [people] from the way of Allāh and [from] al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, which We made for the people - equal are the resident therein and one from outside - and [also] whoever intends [a deed] therein of deviation [in religion] by wrongdoing - We will make him taste of a painful punishment.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ
Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. Indeed, Allāh does what He intends.
۞ هَـٰذَانِ خَصْمَانِ ٱخْتَصَمُوا۟ فِى رَبِّهِمْ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِّن نَّارٍ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ ٱلْحَمِيمُ
These are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water
وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ قُتِلُوٓا۟ أَوْ مَاتُوا۟ لَيَرْزُقَنَّهُمُ ٱللَّهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ
And those who emigrated for the cause of Allāh and then were killed or died - Allāh will surely provide for them a good provision. And indeed, it is Allāh who is the best of providers.