أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُزَكُّونَ أَنفُسَهُم ۚ بَلِ ٱللَّهُ يُزَكِّى مَن يَشَآءُ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا 49
Translations
Have you not seen those who claim themselves to be pure? Rather, Allāh purifies whom He wills, and injustice is not done to them, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed].
Transliteration
Alam tara ila alladhina yuzakkun anfusahum, bal Allahu yuzakki man yasha wa la yuzlamun fatilan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who claim spiritual purity and righteousness for themselves, asserting that true purification and elevation of the soul comes only from Allah's grace. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir interpret this as a rebuke to the pre-Islamic Arabs who boasted of their lineage and deeds, and also to those who falsely claim spiritual superiority. The phrase 'nor will they be wronged even by the extent of a thread' emphasizes that Allah's judgment is perfectly just—those who seek purification from Him will be granted it fairly, while those who rely on self-aggrandizement will find no shortcoming in Allah's justice.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah during the early Islamic period, this ayah addresses the attitude of certain groups—particularly some Christians, Jews, and pagan Arabs—who claimed inherent righteousness based on lineage, wealth, or supposed spiritual status. It falls within the broader context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of proper conduct, social justice, and correct belief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those with the best character' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet warned against self-deception by stating: 'Do not consider yourselves pure; Allah knows best those who are righteous' (referencing Surah An-Najm 53:32).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to approach Allah with humility, recognizing that true spiritual growth comes through divine grace rather than self-proclamation or pride in one's deeds. It serves as a powerful reminder that sincere seeking of Allah's guidance and purification is far more valuable than outward claims of righteousness.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًا كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَـٰهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses - We will drive them into a fire. Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.
فَقَـٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُكَلَّفُ إِلَّا نَفْسَكَ ۚ وَحَرِّضِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَكُفَّ بَأْسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَشَدُّ بَأْسًا وَأَشَدُّ تَنكِيلًا
So fight, [O Muḥammad], in the cause of Allāh; you are not held responsible except for yourself. And encourage the believers [to join you] that perhaps Allāh will restrain the [military] might of those who disbelieve. And Allāh is greater in might and stronger in [exemplary] punishment.
وَلَهَدَيْنَـٰهُمْ صِرَٰطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا
And We would have guided them to a straight path.
وَلْيَخْشَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَوْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةً ضِعَـٰفًا خَافُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ فَلْيَتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلْيَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا
And let those [executors and guardians] fear [injustice] as if they [themselves] had left weak offspring behind and feared for them. So let them fear Allāh and speak words of appropriate justice.