ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ 42
Translations
[They are] those who endured patiently and upon their Lord relied.
Transliteration
Alladhīna sabaru wa 'alā rabbihim yatawakkhalūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who possess two essential qualities: patience (sabr) in facing trials and hardships, and reliance upon their Lord (tawakkul). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, these believers demonstrate unwavering faith by enduring difficulties with steadfastness while placing their complete trust in Allah's wisdom and support. This ayah emphasizes that true faith manifests through both active perseverance and passive submission to Allah's will.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nahl, which discusses divine blessings and the characteristics of believers. It comes during a section addressing those who face persecution and hardship, particularly relevant to the Meccan period when early Muslims endured significant opposition. The ayah provides encouragement to believers to maintain their patience and trust in Allah despite external challenges.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest treasure is patience' (At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'Whoever relies upon Allah, He will be sufficient for him' (At-Tirmidhi 2347), which directly complements the theme of tawakkul in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims today should recognize that true strength lies not in the absence of difficulties but in maintaining patience and unwavering trust in Allah during trials. This ayah teaches that combining active perseverance with complete reliance on the Divine creates spiritual resilience and peace of heart.
Related Ayahs
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allāh?" Unquestionably, the help of Allāh is near.
۞ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِىَ صَبْرًا
[Al-Khiḍr] said, "Did I not tell you that with me you would never be able to have patience?"
فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلْإِبْكَـٰرِ
So be patient, [O Muḥammad]. Indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And ask forgiveness for your sin and exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning.
فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ
So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And let them not disquiet you who are not certain [in faith].