Al-Ma'idah · Ayah 27

۞ وَٱتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ٱبْنَىْ ءَادَمَ بِٱلْحَقِّ إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانًا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِمَا وَلَمْ يُتَقَبَّلْ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔاخَرِ قَالَ لَأَقْتُلَنَّكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ 27

Translations

And recite to them the story of Adam's two sons, in truth, when they both made an offering [to Allāh], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. Said [the latter], "I will surely kill you." Said [the former], "Indeed, Allāh only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].

Transliteration

Wa-atlu 'alayhim naba-a ibnayi Adam bil-haqq idh qarraba qurbanan fataqqubila min ahadihima wa lam yutaqabbal mina al-akhir qala la-aqtulannaka qala innama yataqabbal Allah mina al-muttaqin

Tafsir (Explanation)

This ayah narrates the story of Adam's two sons (Cain and Abel) who each offered a sacrifice to Allah. Allah accepted the offering from one of them (the righteous one) but rejected the other's, which led the rejected one to threaten murder. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that acceptance of deeds depends not on the material value of the offering but on the sincerity and piety of the offerer, as emphasized in the response: 'Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous (al-muttaqin).' This ayah establishes a fundamental principle that divine acceptance is contingent upon taqwa (God-consciousness).

Revelation Context

This ayah is part of a narrative section in Surah Al-Ma'idah (Medinan) that recounts stories of past nations. The story of Adam's sons serves as a cautionary historical example about the consequences of envy, pride, and the rejection of divine guidance. The broader context addresses themes of obedience and the dangers of following one's desires.

Related Hadiths

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Indeed, Allah does not look at your forms or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and your deeds' (Sahih Muslim 2564). This hadith directly reinforces the principle established in this ayah regarding sincere intention and piety in worship.

Themes

Sincerity in worship and intention (niyyah)Divine acceptance based on piety (taqwa), not material offeringsConsequences of envy and rejection of divine guidanceThe importance of righteous character in religious practice

Key Lesson

True worship is measured not by outward displays or material sacrifices, but by the state of one's heart and commitment to righteousness. Muslims should examine their intentions in all acts of worship and obedience, understanding that only sincere devotion rooted in taqwa finds acceptance with Allah.

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Related Ayahs

5:45Al-Ma'idah

وَكَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِيهَآ أَنَّ ٱلنَّفْسَ بِٱلنَّفْسِ وَٱلْعَيْنَ بِٱلْعَيْنِ وَٱلْأَنفَ بِٱلْأَنفِ وَٱلْأُذُنَ بِٱلْأُذُنِ وَٱلسِّنَّ بِٱلسِّنِّ وَٱلْجُرُوحَ قِصَاصٌ ۚ فَمَن تَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَةٌ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ

And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever gives [up his right as] charity, it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allāh has revealed - then it is those who are the wrongdoers [i.e., the unjust].

5:31Al-Ma'idah

فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ غُرَابًا يَبْحَثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيُرِيَهُۥ كَيْفَ يُوَٰرِى سَوْءَةَ أَخِيهِ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰوَيْلَتَىٰٓ أَعَجَزْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِثْلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْغُرَابِ فَأُوَٰرِىَ سَوْءَةَ أَخِى ۖ فَأَصْبَحَ مِنَ ٱلنَّـٰدِمِينَ

Then Allāh sent a crow searching [i.e., scratching] in the ground to show him how to hide the disgrace of his brother. He said, "O woe to me! Have I failed to be like this crow and hide the disgrace [i.e., body] of my brother?" And he became of the regretful.

5:15Al-Ma'idah

يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا كُنتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَيَعْفُوا۟ عَن كَثِيرٍ ۚ قَدْ جَآءَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَـٰبٌ مُّبِينٌ

O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allāh a light and a clear Book [i.e., the Qur’ān]

5:56Al-Ma'idah

وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَإِنَّ حِزْبَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلْغَـٰلِبُونَ

And whoever is an ally of Allāh and His Messenger and those who have believed - indeed, the party of Allāh - they will be the predominant.