لَّـٰكِنِ ٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ مِنْهُمْ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ وَٱلْمُقِيمِينَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ وَٱلْمُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ سَنُؤْتِيهِمْ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا 162
Translations
But those firm in knowledge among them and the believers believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and what was revealed before you. And the establishers of prayer [especially] and the givers of zakāh and the believers in Allāh and the Last Day - those We will give a great reward.
Transliteration
Lākinir-rāsikhoona fil-'ilmi minhum wal-mu'minoona yu'minoona bimā unzila ilayka wa mā unzila min qablika wal-muqīmīnas-salāta wal-mu'toona az-zakāta wal-mu'minoona billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhir ulā'ika sanyu'tīhim ajran 'azīmā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah contrasts those who reject faith with the truly righteous believers, describing them as those well-grounded in knowledge who accept the revelation sent to Prophet Muhammad and the scriptures before him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'those firmly rooted in knowledge' (ar-rāsikhoona fil-'ilm) refers to the learned believers whose understanding enables them to accept all of Allah's messages, and the ayah promises such believers a tremendous reward for their faith combined with righteous action (establishing prayer, paying zakat, and believing in Allah and the Last Day).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nisa's discussion of the People of the Book and their relationship to Islamic teachings. It comes after verses describing some of the People of the Book's rejection of truth, and it serves to highlight that among them and among believers generally, those who combine knowledge with faith and righteous deeds are the truly blessed ones.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever follows a path to seek knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2646).
Themes
Key Lesson
True belief is not merely intellectual assent but requires combining knowledge with action—those who understand Allah's message must manifest it through worship, charity, and unwavering faith in the Hereafter. This ayah teaches that learning Islamic knowledge should naturally lead to greater piety and obedience, making us witnesses to truth rather than mere observers of it.
Related Ayahs
۞ فَمَا لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ فِئَتَيْنِ وَٱللَّهُ أَرْكَسَهُم بِمَا كَسَبُوٓا۟ ۚ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَهْدُوا۟ مَنْ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُۥ سَبِيلًا
What is [the matter] with you [that you are] two groups concerning the hypocrites, while Allāh has made them fall back [into error and disbelief] for what they earned. Do you wish to guide those whom Allāh has sent astray? And he whom Allāh sends astray - never will you find for him a way [of guidance].
وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَتَبَدَّلُوا۟ ٱلْخَبِيثَ بِٱلطَّيِّبِ ۖ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حُوبًا كَبِيرًا
And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا لِيُطَاعَ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ جَآءُوكَ فَٱسْتَغْفَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا
And We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by permission of Allāh. And if, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you, [O Muḥammad], and asked forgiveness of Allāh and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allāh Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.
وَإِنَّ مِنكُمْ لَمَن لَّيُبَطِّئَنَّ فَإِنْ أَصَـٰبَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالَ قَدْ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىَّ إِذْ لَمْ أَكُن مَّعَهُمْ شَهِيدًا
And indeed, there is among you he who lingers behind; and if disaster strikes you, he says, "Allāh has favored me in that I was not present with them."