يُدْخِلُ مَن يَشَآءُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦ ۚ وَٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ أَعَدَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًۢا 31
Translations
He admits whom He wills into His mercy; but the wrongdoers - He has prepared for them a painful punishment.
Transliteration
Yudkhilu man yashaa fi rahmatih wa-al-zalimeen a'adda lahum adhaban alimaa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the divine prerogative of Allah to admit whomever He wills into His mercy, while simultaneously warning that for the oppressors and wrongdoers, a painful punishment awaits them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse establishes Allah's absolute justice and authority: His mercy is granted according to His wisdom to those who believe and do righteous deeds, while punishment is reserved for those who persist in wrongdoing and deny the truth. The verse serves as both encouragement for the believers and stern warning for the deniers.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Insan was revealed in Madinah during the later Meccan or early Medinan period, addressing themes of human nature, choice, and divine justice. This particular ayah contextualizes the surah's broader discussion of humanity's dual capacity for righteousness and transgression, emphasizing that ultimate success or failure depends on Allah's will and mercy, contingent upon one's faith and righteous conduct.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'None of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone.' When asked, 'Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?' he replied, 'Not even me, except that Allah covers me with His mercy' (Sahih Bukhari 5673). This hadith complements the ayah by emphasizing that entry into Allah's mercy is by His grace, not solely by deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that while success ultimately rests with Allah's mercy and divine will, humans bear responsibility for their choices and actions; therefore, believers should strive in obedience while maintaining hope in Allah's boundless mercy, and avoid oppression and transgression which invite severe punishment. For modern readers, this balance between divine sovereignty and human accountability encourages both humility and moral accountability.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَٱكْتُبْ لَنَا فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ عَذَابِىٓ أُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَنْ أَشَآءُ ۖ وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ ۚ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And decree for us in this world [that which is] good and [also] in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned back to You." [Allāh] said, "My punishment - I afflict with it whom I will, but My mercy encompasses all things." So I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give zakāh and those who believe in Our verses-
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا كَآفَّةً لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner. But most of the people do not know.
لَّيْسَ عَلَى ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلْأَعْرَجِ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلْمَرِيضِ حَرَجٌ ۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ يُعَذِّبْهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
There is not upon the blind any guilt or upon the lame any guilt or upon the ill any guilt [for remaining behind]. And whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger - He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow; but whoever turns away - He will punish him with a painful punishment.
أَفَنَضْرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَ صَفْحًا أَن كُنتُمْ قَوْمًا مُّسْرِفِينَ
Then should We turn the message away, disregarding you, because you are a transgressing people?