مَّآ أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَآ أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ۚ وَأَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا 79
Translations
What comes to you of good is from Allāh, but what comes to you of evil, [O man], is from yourself. And We have sent you, [O Muḥammad], to the people as a messenger, and sufficient is Allāh as Witness.
Transliteration
Maa asaabaka min hasanatin famin Allah wa maa asaabaka min sayyiatin famin nafsik wa arsalnaka lil-naasi rasuula wa kafa billahi shahida
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that all good (blessings, benefits) comes from Allah alone, while evil and harm result from one's own actions and shortcomings—emphasizing divine justice and human accountability. Ibn Kathir notes this teaches that we should attribute gratitude to Allah for goodness while reflecting upon ourselves when facing difficulties, not blaming Allah. The ayah concludes by affirming the Prophet's mission to all mankind and that Allah's testimony suffices regarding his prophethood.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina, this ayah appears within the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of justice, rights, and social conduct. It addresses the believers' tendency to attribute misfortune to external forces while providing theological clarity on causation and divine wisdom, helping the Muslim community understand trials and tribulations in light of their faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer' (Sahih Muslim 2664), emphasizing personal responsibility in spiritual development. Additionally, 'No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick of a thorn, but Allah expiates some of his sins for that' (Sahih Bukhari 5641).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should cultivate gratitude and humility by recognizing blessings come from Allah while examining themselves when facing hardships, fostering both spiritual growth and moral development. This ayah empowers us to take responsibility for our actions while maintaining trust in Allah's ultimate wisdom and justice.
Related Ayahs
يَوْمَ تَشْهَدُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ وَأَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
On a Day when their tongues, their hands and their feet will bear witness against them as to what they used to do.
وَإِذَا حُشِرَ ٱلنَّاسُ كَانُوا۟ لَهُمْ أَعْدَآءً وَكَانُوا۟ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ كَـٰفِرِينَ
And when the people are gathered [that Day], they [who were invoked] will be enemies to them, and they will be deniers of their worship.
وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ
And every soul will be fully compensated [for] what it did; and He is most knowing of what they do.
أَكُفَّارُكُمْ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكُمْ أَمْ لَكُم بَرَآءَةٌ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ
Are your disbelievers better than those [former ones], or have you immunity in the scriptures?