۞ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 171
Translations
They receive good tidings of favor from Allāh and bounty and [of the fact] that Allāh does not allow the reward of believers to be lost -
Transliteration
Yastabshirūna bi-ni'matin min-Allāhi wa-fadlin wa-anna Allāha lā yudī'u ajra al-mu'minīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the martyrs (Shahada) rejoicing in the grace and favor of Allah bestowed upon them, and reassures believers that Allah never wastes the reward of those who have faith. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the martyrs of Uhud who are alive with their Lord, receiving provision and experiencing joy in the presence of Allah. The ayah emphasizes that sincere faith and sacrifice are never lost in Allah's sight, providing profound comfort to the believers left behind.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the context following the Battle of Uhud (3 AH), where seventy Muslims were killed. The passage consoles the living believers regarding the status of those who died in service of Allah's cause, assuring them that their sacrifices are honored and rewarded by the Almighty. This thematic context runs through Surah Ali 'Imran, addressing the trials and triumphs of the Muslim community in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The ayah relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The martyr does not feel the pain of being slain except like one of you feels the pinch of a pinch.' Additionally, in Surah 2:154, Allah states 'And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah, 'They are dead.' Rather, they are alive, but you perceive it not.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that sincere efforts and sacrifices made in the path of Allah are never wasted, and that those who give their lives for their faith experience a joy and reward incomprehensible to the living world. It encourages trust in Allah's justice and promises, providing solace during times of loss and strengthening conviction in the eternal value of faithful service.
Related Ayahs
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِنْهُ ءَايَـٰتٌ مُّحْكَمَـٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَـٰبَهَ مِنْهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ ٱلْفِتْنَةِ وَٱبْتِغَآءَ تَأْوِيلِهِۦ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allāh. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.
وَإِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ تُبَوِّئُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَقَـٰعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And [remember] when you, [O Muḥammad], left your family in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle [of Uḥud] - and Allāh is Hearing and Knowing -
إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُۥ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allāh is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۗ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ
Indeed, Allāh is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.'"