وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لِرَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَىٰ بَيْنَهُمْ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ 38
Translations
And those who have responded to their Lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend,
Transliteration
Wa-alladhīna astajabu li-rabbihim wa-aqāmū as-salāta wa-amruhum shūrā baynahum wa-mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the qualities of true believers: they respond to their Lord's call, establish prayer, conduct their affairs through mutual consultation (shūrā), and spend from what Allah has provided them. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize that shūrā (consultation) is a foundational principle of Islamic governance and community life, reflecting a balance between obedience to Allah and collective wisdom, while spending (infāq) demonstrates their gratitude and commitment to social responsibility.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shuraa, a Meccan chapter that addresses fundamental Islamic principles and ethics. The broader context of this surah emphasizes the consultation principle as a divine method, with this particular ayah serving as a portrait of the ideal believing community—one that is spiritually committed, democratically engaged, and socially conscious.
Related Hadiths
The principle of shūrā is reflected in the hadith: 'No people deliberate together without Allah sending down wisdom among them' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the hadith about the Prophet's consultation with companions demonstrates the practical application: 'The best of you are those who consult with others' (attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islamic governance and community life require both vertical obedience to Allah and horizontal consultation among people, creating a holistic system where spiritual discipline, collective wisdom, and social generosity work together to build a just society. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes that true faith manifests not only in personal devotion but in inclusive leadership and financial responsibility toward others.
Related Ayahs
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُنَزِّلُ ٱلْغَيْثَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوا۟ وَيَنشُرُ رَحْمَتَهُۥ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْوَلِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ
And it is He who sends down the rain after they had despaired and spreads His mercy. And He is the Protector, the Praiseworthy.
۞ وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا أَوْ مِن وَرَآئِ حِجَابٍ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ رَسُولًا فَيُوحِىَ بِإِذْنِهِۦ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ
And it is not for any human being that Allāh should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger [i.e., angel] to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise.
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا ۖ فَإِن يَشَإِ ٱللَّهُ يَخْتِمْ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ ۗ وَيَمْحُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْبَـٰطِلَ وَيُحِقُّ ٱلْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
Or do they say, "He has invented about Allāh a lie"? But if Allāh willed, He could seal over your heart. And Allāh eliminates falsehood and establishes the truth by His words. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
لَهُۥ مَقَالِيدُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is, of all things, Knowing.