ذُرِّيَّةًۢ بَعْضُهَا مِنۢ بَعْضٍ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 34
Translations
Descendants, some of them from others. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
Transliteration
Dhurriyyatan ba'duhaa min ba'd. Wa-Allahu samee'un aleem.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the righteous descendants of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Imran—emphasizing that they are connected through lineage and shared commitment to monotheism. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as highlighting the continuity of the prophetic message through generations, where each righteous generation produces offspring who maintain faith and guidance. The concluding phrase 'Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing' underscores that Allah is fully aware of the deeds and intentions of these chosen lineages.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the families of the prophets, specifically following the mention of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Imran as chosen servants. The thematic context emphasizes Allah's selection of righteous individuals and families throughout history to bear the message of monotheism, contrasting them with those who rejected faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the concept of righteous progeny is referenced in the Prophet's teaching that 'When a person dies, all their deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that benefits others, and righteous children who pray for them' (Sahih Muslim).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that righteousness is not merely individual but can be cultivated within families and transmitted across generations through conscious effort and divine guidance. For modern believers, it emphasizes the importance of nurturing faith in our children and communities, trusting that Allah hears and knows our sincere intentions in this endeavor.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِم مِّلْءُ ٱلْأَرْضِ ذَهَبًا وَلَوِ ٱفْتَدَىٰ بِهِۦٓ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - never would the [whole] capacity of the earth in gold be accepted from one of them if he would [seek to] ransom himself with it. For those there will be a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allāh does not fail in His promise."
وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥٓ إِذْ تَحُسُّونَهُم بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَشِلْتُمْ وَتَنَـٰزَعْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ وَعَصَيْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَآ أَرَىٰكُم مَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ مِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۚ ثُمَّ صَرَفَكُمْ عَنْهُمْ لِيَبْتَلِيَكُمْ ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا عَنكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And Allāh had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing them [i.e., the enemy] by His permission until [the time] when you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given by the Prophet (ﷺ)] and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love. Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then He turned you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. And He has already forgiven you, and Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the believers.
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.