ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ 16
Translations
Those who say, "Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire,"
Transliteration
Alladhīna yaqūlūna Rabbanā innā āmannā faghfir lanā dhunūbanā wa-qinā 'adhāba an-nār
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristics of the believers who sincerely acknowledge their faith in Allah and humbly beseech Him for forgiveness of their sins and protection from Hellfire. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse illustrates the fundamental attributes of true believers: sincere testimony of faith (īmān), recognition of human fallibility, and constant supplication to Allah seeking His mercy and protection from divine punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the opening of Surah Ali 'Imran (3:16-17) within a passage describing the characteristics of the righteous believers (al-muttaqūn) and the pious servants of Allah. It is part of a broader Medinan context addressing the Muslim community about the qualities that distinguish true believers and their relationship with Allah through constant remembrance and supplication.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of 'Arafah, and the best thing that I and the prophets before me have said is: There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, alone, without partner...' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized the importance of seeking forgiveness: 'All the children of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who repent' (Sunan Ibn Mājah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but includes constant awareness of one's shortcomings and sincere, humble supplication to Allah for forgiveness and protection. It encourages believers to balance between hope in Allah's mercy and awareness of accountability, fostering a dynamic spiritual relationship characterized by repentance and earnest prayer.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِىَ ٱلْكِبَرُ وَٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ ٱللَّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ
He said, "My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?" He [the angel] said, "Such is Allāh; He does what He wills."
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ تَعَالَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍ سَوَآءٍۭ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُولُوا۟ ٱشْهَدُوا۟ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ
Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allāh and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allāh." But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]."
۞ وَمِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مَنْ إِن تَأْمَنْهُ بِقِنطَارٍ يُؤَدِّهِۦٓ إِلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ إِن تَأْمَنْهُ بِدِينَارٍ لَّا يُؤَدِّهِۦٓ إِلَيْكَ إِلَّا مَا دُمْتَ عَلَيْهِ قَآئِمًا ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا۟ لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا فِى ٱلْأُمِّيِّـۧنَ سَبِيلٌ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
And among the People of the Scripture is he who, if you entrust him with a great amount [of wealth], he will return it to you. And among them is he who, if you entrust him with a [single] coin, he will not return it to you unless you are constantly standing over him [demanding it]. That is because they say, "There is no blame upon us concerning the unlearned." And they speak untruth about Allāh while they know [it].
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُۥ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ
Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire - You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.