۞ 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
لَّا يَتَّخِذِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ فِى شَىْءٍ إِلَّآ أَن تَتَّقُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ تُقَىٰةً ۗ وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسَهُۥ ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
Let not believers take disbelievers as allies [i.e., supporters or protectors] rather than believers. And whoever [of you] does that has nothing [i.e., no association] with Allāh, except when taking precaution against them in prudence. And Allāh warns you of Himself, and to Allāh is the [final] destination.
۞ لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوٓا۟ أَذًى كَثِيرًا ۚ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ
You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allāh much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allāh - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.
وَلَا تَهِنُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.
لَن تَنَالُوا۟ ٱلْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ
Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allāh] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it.