يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرُّسُلُ كُلُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَٱعْمَلُوا۟ صَـٰلِحًا ۖ إِنِّى بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ 51
Translations
[Allāh said], "O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed I, of what you do, am Knowing.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha ar-rusulu kulu mina at-tayyibati wa'malu salihan inni bima ta'malun alim
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses all the messengers collectively, commanding them to eat from the lawful and pure provisions and to perform righteous deeds, assuring them that He is fully aware of all their actions. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note this as divine encouragement for the messengers to sustain themselves legitimately while maintaining moral integrity, with the reminder that Allah's knowledge encompasses everything they do. This ayah establishes the principle that sustenance and righteous action are complementary—one should neither abandon lawful provision out of false asceticism nor pursue wealth unlawfully while performing good deeds.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Mu'minun, a Meccan surah focused on the characteristics of true believers and the stories of previous messengers. The context addresses the messengers directly, affirming their mission and reminding them of the balance between fulfilling their material needs through halal means and maintaining their spiritual responsibilities. This serves as encouragement during the challenging early period of Islamic revelation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi), relating to the importance of maintaining lawful provision for oneself and one's family. Additionally, the hadith 'The best earnings are from one's own hands' (Ahmad) connects to the principle of earning from halal sources.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that seeking lawful sustenance is not incompatible with spiritual devotion—Muslims should earn their living through permissible means while maintaining conscientiousness in their actions, knowing that Allah observes both our provision and our conduct. It emphasizes that true righteousness includes honest living and that providing for oneself and one's family through halal means is part of fulfilling one's religious obligations.