أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ 136
Translations
Those - their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow [in Paradise], wherein they will abide eternally; and excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers.
Transliteration
Ulā'ika jazāuhum maghfiratun min rabbihim wa jannātun tajrī min taḥtihā al-anhār khālidīn fīhā wa ni'ma ajru al-'āmilīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the reward for those who repent and turn back to Allah after committing sins—they receive forgiveness from their Lord and eternal gardens beneath which rivers flow. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse demonstrates Allah's mercy toward sincere penitents, showing that no sin is too great if one genuinely repents. The phrase 'ni'ma ajru al-'āmilīn' (how excellent is the reward of the workers) affirms that righteous deeds combined with sincere repentance lead to the greatest reward.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Medinan Surah Al 'Imran, revealed after the Battle of Uhud (year 3 AH). The broader context addresses believers who experienced setback in battle, teaching them about repentance, Allah's forgiveness, and the ultimate reward awaiting those who persist in faith despite hardship. The preceding verses discuss those who faltered during the battle and the mercy shown to those who subsequently repent.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Verily, Allah accepts the repentance of His servant as long as death does not come to him' (Sunan at-Tirmidhi 3537). Additionally, the hadith 'The greatest sins are to associate partners with Allah and to disobey parents; yet even these can be forgiven through sincere repentance' relates to the theme of Allah's boundless mercy in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that sincere repentance erases past mistakes and opens the door to Allah's infinite mercy and reward, emphasizing that no believer should despair of Allah's forgiveness regardless of their failures. It encourages perseverance in faith, as the temporary setbacks of this life are insignificant compared to the eternal bliss promised to the repentant and righteous.
Related Ayahs
فَـَٔامَنُوا۟ فَمَتَّعْنَـٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment [of life] for a time.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَتَقَبَّلُ عَنْهُمْ أَحْسَنَ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَنَتَجَاوَزُ عَن سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ فِىٓ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۖ وَعْدَ ٱلصِّدْقِ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يُوعَدُونَ
Those are the ones from whom We will accept the best of what they did and overlook their misdeeds, [their being] among the companions of Paradise. [That is] the promise of truth which they had been promised.
وَإِذْ قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱسْكُنُوا۟ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةَ وَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمْ وَقُولُوا۟ حِطَّةٌ وَٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْبَابَ سُجَّدًا نَّغْفِرْ لَكُمْ خَطِيٓـَٔـٰتِكُمْ ۚ سَنَزِيدُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when it was said to them, "Dwell in this city [i.e., Jerusalem] and eat from it wherever you will and say, 'Relieve us of our burdens [i.e., sins],' and enter the gate bowing humbly; We will [then] forgive you your sins. We will increase the doers of good [in goodness and reward]."
قُلْ أَنزَلَهُ ٱلَّذِى يَعْلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
Say, [O Muḥammad], "It has been revealed by He who knows [every] secret within the heavens and the earth. Indeed, He is ever Forgiving and Merciful."