۞ 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
رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise."
تُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۖ وَتُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَتُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ ۖ وَتَرْزُقُ مَن تَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom You will without account [i.e., limit or measure]."
إِنَّ أَوْلَى ٱلنَّاسِ بِإِبْرَٰهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَـٰذَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَلِىُّ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Indeed, the most worthy of Abraham among the people are those who followed him [in submission to Allāh] and this prophet [i.e., Muḥammad (ﷺ)] and those who believe [in his message]. And Allāh is the Ally of the believers.
هُمْ دَرَجَـٰتٌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
They are [varying] degrees in the sight of Allāh, and Allāh is Seeing of whatever they do.