لَّيْسَ بِأَمَانِيِّكُمْ وَلَآ أَمَانِىِّ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ۗ مَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا يُجْزَ بِهِۦ وَلَا يَجِدْ لَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا 123
Translations
It [i.e., Paradise] is not [obtained] by your wishful thinking nor by that of the People of the Scripture. Whoever does a wrong will be recompensed for it, and he will not find besides Allāh a protector or a helper.
Transliteration
Laysa bi-amaniyyikum wa-la amaniyy ahl al-kitab. Man ya'mal su'an yujaz bihi wa-la yajid lahu min dun Allah waliyyan wa-la nasiran.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refutes the false hopes and wishful thinking of both Muslims and People of the Book who believe their mere profession of faith or lineage will guarantee Paradise without righteous deeds. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the verse emphasizes that salvation is not attained through idle wishes or genealogical claims, but through actual righteous action, and warns that whoever commits evil will face its consequences with no protector or helper besides Allah to intercede or save them.
Revelation Context
This ayah addresses a historical reality in Medina where both some Muslims and the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) harbored false confidence in their salvation. The context of Surah An-Nisa, which addresses community laws and ethics, makes this a crucial reminder that belief must be paired with action. It follows verses discussing inheritance and women's rights, emphasizing that true success comes through ethical conduct rather than assumptions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Bukhari 13), emphasizing that faith requires actionable virtue. Additionally, 'Actions are judged by intentions' (Sahih Bukhari 1) demonstrates that deeds themselves must be coupled with sincere purpose, not mere wishes.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims must not rely on empty hopes or assumed righteousness, but actively strive to perform good deeds and avoid evil, understanding that accountability before Allah is inescapable and personal. This ayah serves as a sobering reminder that faith without action is hollow, and encourages sincere, conscious effort toward virtue in daily life.
Related Ayahs
إِن تَجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَبَآئِرَ مَا تُنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَنُدْخِلْكُم مُّدْخَلًا كَرِيمًا
If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance [into Paradise].
وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيرًا
And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.
وَكَيْفَ تَأْخُذُونَهُۥ وَقَدْ أَفْضَىٰ بَعْضُكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَأَخَذْنَ مِنكُم مِّيثَـٰقًا غَلِيظًا
And how could you take it while you have gone in unto each other and they have taken from you a solemn covenant?
وَرُسُلًا قَدْ قَصَصْنَـٰهُمْ عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَرُسُلًا لَّمْ نَقْصُصْهُمْ عَلَيْكَ ۚ وَكَلَّمَ ٱللَّهُ مُوسَىٰ تَكْلِيمًا
And [We sent] messengers about whom We have related [their stories] to you before and messengers about whom We have not related to you. And Allāh spoke to Moses with [direct] speech.