وَمَنْ أَرَادَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًا 19
Translations
But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer - it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allāh].
Transliteration
Wa man arada al-akhirata wa sa'a laha sa'yaha wa huwa mu'min fa-ula'ika kana sa'yuhum mashkura
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who sincerely desire the Hereafter and strive for it with appropriate effort while maintaining faith—their striving is appreciated and rewarded by Allah. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse highlights the importance of both sincere intention (niyyah) and righteous action ('amal) working together, contrasting with those who seek only worldly gains. The phrase 'sa'yaha' (its striving) refers to the proper means and dedication required for achieving the Hereafter's reward.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense persecution. The broader context discusses two types of people: those who desire the Hereafter with faith and effort, and those preoccupied with worldly desires. This verse encourages believers facing hardship to maintain their focus on the eternal reward rather than temporary worldly concerns.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), reflecting the theme of righteous striving. Additionally, 'Actions are judged by intentions' (Sahih Bukhari 1, Muslim 1907) complements the emphasis on sincere intention in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
True success comes from combining sincere faith with deliberate, righteous effort toward the Hereafter—idle wishes without action bear no fruit. For modern believers, this emphasizes that spiritual growth requires both honest intention and consistent, dedicated action in worship and righteous deeds.
Related Ayahs
وَيَدْعُ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ بِٱلشَّرِّ دُعَآءَهُۥ بِٱلْخَيْرِ ۖ وَكَانَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ عَجُولًا
And man supplicates for evil [when angry] as he supplicates for good, and man is ever hasty.
مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْعَاجِلَةَ عَجَّلْنَا لَهُۥ فِيهَا مَا نَشَآءُ لِمَن نُّرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَا لَهُۥ جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَىٰهَا مَذْمُومًا مَّدْحُورًا
Whoever should desire the immediate - We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and banished.
أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَقُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا
Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’ān [i.e., recitation] of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And they ask you, [O Muḥammad], about the soul. Say, "The soul is of the affair [i.e., concern] of my Lord. And you [i.e., mankind] have not been given of knowledge except a little."