وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ 4
Translations
And raised high for you your repute.
Transliteration
Wa rafaʿnā laka dhikraka
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah Most High declares that He has elevated and exalted the mention (dhikr) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in this world and the next. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as Allah's promise that the Prophet's name, legacy, and remembrance would be perpetually honored—mentioned in the call to prayer (adhan), in the Shahādah, and throughout Muslim hearts until the Day of Judgment. This ayah affirms that whenever Allah is remembered, His Messenger is remembered alongside Him, fulfilling the divine covenant of honor bestowed upon him.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ash-Sharh, a Meccan surah that console the Prophet ﷺ during the difficult early years of his mission when he faced rejection and hardship from the Quraysh. In this context, Allah reassures him that despite present opposition, his remembrance would be elevated and immortalized, contrasting temporary worldly difficulties with eternal spiritual honor.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever sends blessings upon me, Allah will send blessings upon him tenfold' (Sahih Muslim 384). Additionally, the Prophet stated: 'My name and the name of my followers will be mentioned together until the Day of Judgment' (a theme reflected in various authentic hadith collections regarding the exaltation of his mention).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that honoring the Prophet ﷺ through remembrance, following his Sunnah, and spreading his teachings is itself a fulfillment of Allah's divine promise. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes that our role in perpetuating the Prophet's legacy and maintaining his elevated remembrance in our hearts and communities is part of our covenant with Allah.