ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ 13
Translations
Allāh - there is no deity except Him. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
Transliteration
Allahu la ilaha illa huwa wa 'ala Allahi falyatawakkali al-mu'minun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is a foundational declaration of Islamic monotheism (tawhid) followed by an exhortation to place complete trust in Allah alone. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the affirmation 'there is no deity except Him' necessitates absolute reliance upon Allah in all affairs, as He alone possesses complete knowledge, power, and wisdom. Al-Qurtubi notes that tawakkul (trust/reliance) is not passive resignation but active dependence on Allah after taking reasonable means, reflecting the believers' acknowledgment of divine sovereignty.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the conclusion of Surah At-Taghabun, a Medinan surah that addresses themes of deception and loss in worldly matters. The broader context of the surah emphasizes that material losses and family separations should not deter believers from faith, making this ayah a fitting conclusion that directs believers to anchor their confidence in Allah's eternal attributes rather than transient worldly concerns.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'If you rely upon Allah with true reliance, He would provide for you just as He provides for the birds; they go out hungry in the morning and come back with full bellies.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2344). Additionally, 'Trust in Allah, but tie your camel,' emphasizing that tawakkul combines faith with reasonable effort.
Themes
Key Lesson
In an age of anxiety and competing claims for our trust, this ayah reminds believers that true peace comes from directing our complete reliance toward Allah alone, rather than placing ultimate confidence in material resources, institutions, or people. This principle transforms how we approach life's uncertainties, enabling believers to act with courage and wisdom while maintaining inner tranquility rooted in faith.
Related Ayahs
تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِن فَوْقِهِنَّ ۚ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
The heavens almost break from above them, and the angels exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Unquestionably, it is Allāh who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَـٰلِمُ غَيْبِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
Indeed, Allāh is Knower of the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and earth. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَآءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ ٱلْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنۢ بَعْدِى قَالُوا۟ نَعْبُدُ إِلَـٰهَكَ وَإِلَـٰهَ ءَابَآئِكَ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ إِلَـٰهًا وَٰحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ
Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob, when he said to his sons, "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac - one God. And we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."
ذَٰلِكُم بِأَنَّهُۥٓ إِذَا دُعِىَ ٱللَّهُ وَحْدَهُۥ كَفَرْتُمْ ۖ وَإِن يُشْرَكْ بِهِۦ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ فَٱلْحُكْمُ لِلَّهِ ٱلْعَلِىِّ ٱلْكَبِيرِ
[They will be told], "That is because, when Allāh was called upon alone, you disbelieved; but if others were associated with Him, you believed. So the judgement is with Allāh, the Most High, the Grand."