وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا۟ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۚ إِنَّمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ 95
Translations
And do not exchange the covenant of Allāh for a small price. Indeed, what is with Allāh is best for you, if only you could know.
Transliteration
Wa lā tashtarū bi-'ahdi -llāhi thaman qalīlā. Innamā 'inda -llāhi huwa khayrun lakum in kuntum ta'lamūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah prohibits believers from exchanging Allah's covenant (which includes His religion, promises, and commandments) for a small or trivial price—whether material gain, worldly status, or personal comfort. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a warning against compromising one's faith, breaking oaths, or betraying Islamic principles for temporary worldly benefits. The ayah assures that what Allah offers (eternal reward, dignity, and true guidance) far surpasses any fleeting material gain.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nahl, which addresses various aspects of divine guidance and moral conduct. The broader thematic context emphasizes covenant-keeping, honesty in dealings, and loyalty to Allah's commands. Some classical commentators relate this to believers who were tempted to abandon Islamic principles during the Meccan period of persecution.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895), emphasizing covenant-keeping in relationships. Additionally, 'Whoever breaks a covenant has disbelieved' (related to covenant-breaking) reflects the severity of violating agreements with Allah and others.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should never sacrifice their religious principles, integrity, or divine obligations for temporary material benefits or social pressure, as the eternal reward and divine pleasure from Allah immeasurably surpass any worldly gain. This ayah calls us to recognize that true prosperity lies in faithfulness to Allah's covenant, not in expedient compromises.
Related Ayahs
لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مَثَلُ ٱلسَّوْءِ ۖ وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
For those who do not believe in the Hereafter is the description [i.e., an attribute] of evil; and for Allāh is the highest attribute. And He is Exalted in Might, the Wise.
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.
وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ
And Allāh knows what you conceal and what you declare.
أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ فِى تَقَلُّبِهِمْ فَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ
Or that He would not seize them during their [usual] activity, and they could not cause failure [i.e., escape from Him]?