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
ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ ۙ يَقُولُونَ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
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."
ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسْلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you]." There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.
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.
وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ شُرَكَآءَهُمْ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُرَكَآؤُنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كُنَّا نَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِكَ ۖ فَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ إِنَّكُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
And when those who associated others with Allāh see their "partners," they will say, "Our Lord, these are our partners [to You] whom we used to invoke [in worship] besides You." But they will throw at them the statement, "Indeed, you are liars."