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
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
They are the ones whose deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and for them there will be no helpers.
وَمَآ أَصَـٰبَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ فَبِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And what struck you on the day the two armies met [at Uḥud] was by permission of Allāh that He might make evident the [true] believers
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُۥ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُۥ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَٱشْتَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Allāh took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear [i.e., explain it] to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased.
فَٱسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّى لَآ أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَـٰمِلٍ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ ۖ بَعْضُكُم مِّنۢ بَعْضٍ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ وَأُخْرِجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ وَأُوذُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِى وَقَـٰتَلُوا۟ وَقُتِلُوا۟ لَأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ثَوَابًا مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥ حُسْنُ ٱلثَّوَابِ
And their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. So those who emigrated or were evicted from their homes or were harmed in My cause or fought or were killed - I will surely remove from them their misdeeds, and I will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow as reward from Allāh, and Allāh has with Him the best reward."