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 رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
And when those who wronged see the punishment, it will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved.
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَـٰلِدِينَ
But those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups until, when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, "Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein," [they will enter].
تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱللَّهِ نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلْمًا لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
These are the verses of Allāh. We recite them to you, [O Muḥammad], in truth; and Allāh wants no injustice to the worlds [i.e., His creatures].
فَيَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا يُعَذِّبُ عَذَابَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ
So on that Day, none will punish [as severely] as His punishment,