إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَذَكَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَٱنتَصَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا۟ ۗ وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَىَّ مُنقَلَبٍ يَنقَلِبُونَ 227
Translations
Except those [poets] who believe and do righteous deeds and remember Allāh often and defend [the Muslims] after they were wronged. And those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be returned.
Transliteration
Illa alladhina amanu wa 'amilū aṣ-ṣāliḥāti wa dhakaru Allāha kathīran wa antaṣaru min ba'da mā ẓulimū; wa sayya'lamu alladhina ẓalamū ayya munqalaban yanqalibūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents an exception to the preceding condemnation of poets (verses 224-226), establishing that those who believe, perform righteous deeds, remember Allah abundantly, and seek justice after being wronged are distinguished from idle poets. Classical exegetes like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse rehabilitates the character of righteous poets and those who use speech for noble purposes, distinguishing between those whose words serve Allah and morality versus those who pursue vain desires. The concluding promise assures believers that the wrongdoers will ultimately face the consequences of their oppression, affirming divine justice.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which opens with criticism of poets who speak without knowledge and follow falsehood (verses 224-226). The surah's broader context addresses various rejecters of the Qur'an and warnings to the Meccan polytheists. This final ayah provides a balanced perspective, acknowledging that poetry and eloquent speech themselves are not inherently sinful—only their misuse is condemned—while simultaneously reassuring believers of Allah's ultimate justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The most truthful thing a poet has said is the verse of Labid: 'Verily, everything besides Allah is false' (Jāhiliyyah poetry acknowledged by the Prophet). Also relevant: 'The best of you are those who have good manners' (Tirmidhi), connecting to the emphasis on righteous deeds alongside faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that our intentions and moral character determine the value of our words and actions—eloquence and knowledge are gifts from Allah meant to serve righteousness, not vain desires. It also reassures believers facing oppression that patience combined with faith and action, along with seeking legitimate redress, ultimately leads to vindication through Allah's perfect justice.