ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 98
Translations
Know that Allāh is severe in penalty and that Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
I'lamu anna Allaha shadidu al-iqabi wa anna Allaha ghafurun rahimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to know and remember two essential attributes of Allah: His severe punishment for those who disobey Him, and His vast forgiveness and mercy for those who repent. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this verse balances the fear of Allah's justice with hope in His mercy, preventing believers from falling into either despair or complacency. The juxtaposition of these two divine attributes serves as a comprehensive reminder that Allah's punishment is real and severe for the wrongdoers, yet His forgiveness and compassion are always available for the sincere penitent.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Ma'idah's discussion of laws, boundaries, and the consequences of transgression. It serves as a concluding reminder in a section addressing various prohibitions and violations, urging believers to maintain consciousness of Allah's dual nature of justice and mercy as they navigate religious and legal obligations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if you were a people who did not commit sin, Allah would take you away and replace you with a people who would sin and then ask Allah for forgiveness so He would forgive them.' (Sahih Muslim 2749). Additionally, the hadith Qudsi: 'My mercy precedes My wrath' (Sahih Muslim 2751) encapsulates the balance described in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should cultivate a balanced relationship with Allah—neither becoming so fearful of punishment that they despair, nor so confident in His mercy that they become negligent in obedience. This ayah teaches that true faith requires maintaining simultaneous awareness of both Allah's severity and His compassion, which should inspire conscious obedience coupled with humble hope for forgiveness.