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
وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمَ خَلَقَهَا ۗ لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ
And the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth and [numerous] benefits, and from them you eat.
وَأَقْسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ ۙ لَا يَبْعَثُ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَمُوتُ ۚ بَلَىٰ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And they swear by Allāh their strongest oaths [that] Allāh will not resurrect one who dies. But yes - [it is] a true promise [binding] upon Him, but most of the people do not know.
وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ ۚ أَفَبِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ
And Allāh has made for you from yourselves mates and has made for you from your mates sons and grandchildren and has provided for you from the good things. Then in falsehood do they believe and in the favor of Allāh they disbelieve?
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].