وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 122
Translations
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.
Transliteration
Wa-inna rabbaka la-huwa al-'Azīzu ar-Rahīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah is both the Mighty (Al-'Azīz) and the Merciful (Ar-Rahīm), emphasizing His supreme power and justice combined with His infinite compassion. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this divine attribute reassures believers that Allah's might is exercised with mercy, and His punishment is always tempered by wisdom. The pairing of these two names underscores that Allah's dominion is absolute yet benevolent.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears at the conclusion of the account of Prophet Nuh (Noah) in Surah Ash-Shu'ara, following the description of the flood that destroyed his people. It serves as a reminder that despite the severity of divine punishment against those who rejected the message, Allah's actions are rooted in both justice (power/might) and mercy (guidance and opportunity given before judgment).
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'My mercy prevails over My wrath' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the hadith emphasizing that 'Allah is more merciful to His servants than a mother is to her child' (Sahih Muslim) reflects this balance of divine attributes.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should trust that Allah's authority over creation is exercised with perfect justice and mercy, finding comfort in knowing that divine punishment is never arbitrary but always accompanied by wisdom and prior opportunities for repentance. This encourages believers to fear Allah appropriately while maintaining hope in His boundless compassion.