يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ ۩ 50
Translations
They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.
Transliteration
Yakhafūna rabbahum min fawqihim wa yaf'alūna mā yu'marūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the angels who fear their Lord from above them and obey His commands perfectly. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse emphasizes the angels' reverence for Allah despite their exalted position, serving as an example of true servitude and obedience. The phrase 'from above them' refers to Allah's superiority and dominion over all creation, including the angels themselves.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nahl's discussion of creation and the signs of Allah. It follows verses about the creation of the heavens and earth, and precedes descriptions of other aspects of divine creation. The ayah illustrates the obedience of creation to Allah's will, contrasting with human choice and responsibility.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The angels are created from light, the jinns are created from fire, and mankind is created from what you have been told (clay)' (Sahih Muslim 2996). Additionally, 'The angels descend with the wind, reminding people of mercy' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3232) relates to the angels' active obedience.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true servitude involves combining reverence for Allah with immediate obedience to His commands, regardless of one's station. Believers should reflect on the angels' unwavering devotion as a model for cultivating God-consciousness and swift compliance with divine guidance in their own spiritual lives.
Related Ayahs
وَلَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَهُ ٱلدِّينُ وَاصِبًا ۚ أَفَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ تَتَّقُونَ
And to Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and to Him is [due] worship constantly. Then is it other than Allāh that you fear?
وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلرِّزْقِ ۚ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُوا۟ بِرَآدِّى رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ ۚ أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
And Allāh has favored some of you over others in provision. But those who were favored [i.e., given more] would not hand over their provision to those whom their right hands possess [i.e., slaves] so they would be equal to them therein. Then is it the favor of Allāh they reject?
لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمْ ۚ فَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ
So they will deny what We have given them. Then enjoy yourselves, for you are going to know.
إِنَّمَا يَفْتَرِى ٱلْكَذِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَـٰذِبُونَ
They only invent falsehood who do not believe in the verses of Allāh, and it is those who are the liars.