Tafsir & Commentary
The Poets (الشعراء) · Meccan
وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ217
26:217
Translation — Sahih International
And rely upon the Exalted in Might, the Merciful,
Transliteration
Wa-tawakkal 'alal-'Azeez ar-Raheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to place his complete trust and reliance upon Allah, who is described as Al-'Azeez (The Mighty/Invincible) and Ar-Raheem (The Merciful). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this instruction came during the Meccan period when the Prophet faced fierce opposition and persecution, reminding him that despite the apparent power of his enemies, Allah's might is supreme and His mercy encompasses all affairs. The combination of these two divine attributes emphasizes that Allah possesses both the power to protect His messenger and the compassion to guide His creation.
Revelation Context (Asbab al-Nuzul)
This ayah appears near the end of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which addresses the mockery and rejection the Prophet faced from the Meccan polytheists who denied his message. The surah contextualizes this command within the narratives of previous prophets (Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot, and Shu'ayb) who similarly endured opposition, establishing a pattern of divine support for messengers who remain steadfast in their mission.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The strongest believer is the one who relies upon Allah' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Trust in Allah, but tie your camel' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), illustrating that tawakkul (reliance) combines trust in Allah with prudent human effort.
Themes
Key Lessons
True tawakkul involves placing our hearts' reliance entirely upon Allah's power and mercy while facing life's challenges, which liberates us from fear of worldly opposition and sustains us through adversity. This principle remains vital for modern believers navigating opposition to their faith, as it anchors confidence in Allah's ultimate authority and compassionate wisdom rather than in material circumstances.