وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ كِتَـٰبًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِى ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ 145
Translations
And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allāh at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter - We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.
Transliteration
Wa mā kāna li-nafs an tamoota illā bi-idhni-llāhi kitāban mu'ajjalan. Wa man yurīd thawāba ad-dunyā nu'tih min-hā wa man yurīd thawāba al-ākhirah nu'tih min-hā wa sanajzī ash-shākirīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that no soul dies except by Allah's permission and at a predetermined time (ajal), emphasizing divine sovereignty over life and death. It then clarifies that among those who seek reward, some pursue worldly benefits while others seek the reward of the Hereafter, and Allah grants each according to their intention. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi note this ayah was revealed to console the believers after the Battle of Uhud, affirming that martyrdom and death occur only by divine decree, not by human effort alone, thus encouraging steadfastness in faith rather than fear.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran (Medinan period), following the Battle of Uhud where Muslims suffered casualties. The immediate context addresses believers' grief and questions about why deaths occurred, providing reassurance that all matters of life and death are decreed by Allah and serve as tests of faith and intention.
Related Hadiths
1) Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The soul of a believer is taken up to heaven, and Allah asks, "Did you know him well?" and the angels say, "We only know him as good," and Allah says, "Go and release him in the garden"' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). 2) 'Whoever desires the reward of this world, Allah grants it to him, and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter, Allah grants it to him' (Sahih Muslim 1031).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that our lifespans are predetermined by Allah alone, liberating us from anxiety about death and encouraging focus on our intentions and actions. It reminds us to prioritize eternal rewards over temporary worldly gains, and to cultivate gratitude (shukr) in all circumstances, knowing that Allah acknowledges and rewards sincere believers.