ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ ۙ يَقُولُونَ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ 32
Translations
The ones whom the angels take in death, [being] good and pure; [the angels] will say, "Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you used to do."
Transliteration
Alladhīna tatawaffāhum al-malā'ikatu tayyibīn, yaqūlūna salāmun 'alaykum udkhulū al-jannata bimā kuntum ta'malūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the blessed state of the righteous believers at the moment of death, when the angels come to take their souls while they are in a state of purity and goodness (tayyibīn). The angels greet them with peace and give them the glad tidings of Paradise as a reward for their deeds in this life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that this verse emphasizes the mercy and comfort given to the believers at death, contrasting with the terror experienced by the disbelievers, thereby illustrating the difference in the afterlife based on one's faith and righteous actions.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nahl, a Meccan surah that addresses fundamental Islamic beliefs including monotheism, divine wisdom, and the afterlife. The verse appears in a section discussing the fate of believers and disbelievers in the hereafter, providing reassurance to the early Muslim community about the rewards awaiting the faithful.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'When the soul of a believer departs, two angels come to it.' (Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab as-Sunan). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, it is narrated that the righteous souls are received with joy, while the souls of the wicked are met with rejection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that their actions in this world directly determine their experience in the next, and that those who live righteously will be met with mercy and peace at death rather than fear. It encourages the faithful to maintain good character and actions, knowing that Allah's angels will greet them with compassion when their time comes.