وَمَآ أَصَـٰبَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُوا۟ عَن كَثِيرٍ 30
Translations
And whatever strikes you of disaster - it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much.
Transliteration
Wa mā asābakum min musībatin fa-bimā kasabat aydīkum wa-ya'fū 'an kathīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah teaches that calamities and afflictions that befall people are consequences of their own actions and deeds, as stated by classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi. However, the verse also emphasizes Allah's mercy by noting that He pardons and overlooks many of the sins and shortcomings of His servants—meaning that Muslims experience only a portion of the consequences they truly deserve due to Allah's forbearance and grace. This balance between divine justice and divine mercy serves as both a warning against wrongdoing and an encouragement toward repentance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shuraa, a Meccan surah that addresses fundamental Islamic principles and the nature of divine wisdom. The verse fits within the broader thematic context of the surah's discussion of consultation, divine guidance, and the relationship between human responsibility and divine decree. It serves to clarify that while Muslims should consult with one another in matters, ultimate outcomes rest with Allah's justice and mercy.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'No fatigue, illness, worry, grief, hurt, or distress befalls a Muslim, not even a thorn pricks him, but Allah expiates some of his sins because of it' (Sahih Bukhari 5640). This hadith complements the ayah by explaining that even small afflictions serve as expiation for sins.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah encourages believers to reflect on their actions and their consequences while maintaining hope in Allah's boundless mercy and forgiveness. It teaches that we should accept hardships with patience and wisdom, recognizing them as opportunities for spiritual growth and expiation, rather than as arbitrary misfortunes.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَإِذَا صُرِفَتْ أَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ تِلْقَآءَ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And when their eyes are turned toward the companions of the Fire, they say, "Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people."
لَا يَسْتَوِىٓ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ وَأَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۚ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ
Not equal are the companions of the Fire and the companions of Paradise. The companions of Paradise - they are the attainers [of success].
عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أَحْضَرَتْ
A soul will [then] know what it has brought [with it].
فَإِن يَصْبِرُوا۟ فَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَّهُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا۟ فَمَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُعْتَبِينَ
So [even] if they are patient, the Fire is a residence for them; and if they ask to appease [Allāh], they will not be of those who are allowed to appease.