وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ فِى ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا۟ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً ۖ وَلَأَجْرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ 41
Translations
And those who emigrated for [the cause of] Allāh after they had been wronged - We will surely settle them in this world in a good place; but the reward of the Hereafter is greater, if only they could know.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhīna hājarū fī-llāhi min ba'da mā dhulimū la-nubawwi'annah um fi-d-dunyā hasanatan wa-la-ajr-ul-ākhirati akbar, law kānū ya'lamūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah promises those who emigrate for the sake of Allah after being oppressed that they will be granted a good life in this world, and their reward in the Hereafter is even greater. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note this addresses the Meccan Muslims who fled persecution, assuring them of divine compensation both temporally and eternally. The phrase 'if they only knew' emphasizes the magnitude of the Hereafter's reward, which surpasses worldly blessings.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Meccan period, this ayah addresses the early Muslims who suffered persecution from the Quraysh and were forced to emigrate. It comes within the broader context of Surah An-Nahl which discusses divine blessings and signs. The ayah specifically encourages perseverance during the difficult period before the establishment of the Islamic state in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the Companions' migration emphasizes Allah's promise to those who emigrate in His cause.
Themes
Key Lesson
True migration for Allah's sake—whether physical relocation or spiritual struggle against oppression—is never without reward; believers should trust that Allah provides good in this life while the greatest reward awaits in the Hereafter, motivating steadfastness through worldly hardship.
Related Ayahs
۞ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ تُجَـٰدِلُ عَن نَّفْسِهَا وَتُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
On the Day when every soul will come disputing [i.e., pleading] for itself, and every soul will be fully compensated for what it did, and they will not be wronged [i.e., treated unjustly].
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ
And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect from every nation a witness [i.e., their prophet]. Then it will not be permitted to the disbelievers [to apologize or make excuses], nor will they be asked to appease [Allāh].
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message [i.e., former scriptures] if you do not know.
وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحْلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ
And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses [i.e., hives], and among the trees and [in] that which they construct.