۞ وَسَارِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ 133
Translations
And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e., Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous
Transliteration
Wa-sāri'ū ilā maghfirah min rabbikum wa jannah 'arduhā as-samāwātu wa-al-ard u'iddat lil-muttaqīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to hasten toward seeking forgiveness from Allah and striving for Paradise, which is as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared specifically for those who practice taqwa (God-consciousness and piety). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'hastening' (musāra'ah) denotes urgency and earnestness in obedience, repentance, and righteous deeds, while Al-Qurtubi notes that the immense description of Paradise's width is meant to inspire believers with hope and motivation. The ayah reassures Muslims that such a magnificent reward awaits those who maintain taqwa throughout their lives.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan period of Surah Ali 'Imran and is part of a section encouraging believers to compete in good deeds and righteousness. It follows verses emphasizing spending in charity and maintaining patience, reflecting the early Muslim community's need for spiritual encouragement amid the challenges of establishing Islam in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The Paradise is nearer to any of you than the thong of your shoe, and so is the (Hell) Fire' (Sahih Bukhari 6488). Additionally, 'Whoever hastens to do good deeds, Allah will hasten his reward' (related themes in Sunan Ibn Majah and other collections).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that spiritual success requires active, urgent effort—we must not delay in seeking repentance and performing good deeds, understanding that the reward of Paradise is incomparably vast for those who maintain consciousness of Allah. It reminds modern believers that hope in Allah's mercy should motivate continuous self-improvement and that true competition among people should be in righteousness, not worldly pursuits.
Related Ayahs
۞ إِذْ تُصْعِدُونَ وَلَا تَلْوُۥنَ عَلَىٰٓ أَحَدٍ وَٱلرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوكُمْ فِىٓ أُخْرَىٰكُمْ فَأَثَـٰبَكُمْ غَمًّۢا بِغَمٍّ لِّكَيْلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا مَآ أَصَـٰبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
[Remember] when you [fled and] climbed [the mountain] without looking aside at anyone while the Messenger was calling you from behind. So Allāh repaid you with distress upon distress so you would not grieve for that which had escaped you [of victory and spoils of war] or [for] that which had befallen you [of injury and death]. And Allāh is [fully] Aware of what you do.
هُمْ دَرَجَـٰتٌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
They are [varying] degrees in the sight of Allāh, and Allāh is Seeing of whatever they do.
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْقَصَصُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۚ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـٰهٍ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Indeed, this is the true narration. And there is no deity except Allāh. And indeed, Allāh is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱللَّهِ نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلْمًا لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
These are the verses of Allāh. We recite them to you, [O Muḥammad], in truth; and Allāh wants no injustice to the worlds [i.e., His creatures].