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
وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَلَدًا
And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken [for Himself] a son."
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allāh, Lord of the worlds.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
Do you not see [i.e., know] that Allāh causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term, and that Allāh, of whatever you do, is Aware?
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلنَّهَارَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَنْ إِلَـٰهٌ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِلَيْلٍ تَسْكُنُونَ فِيهِ ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ
Say, "Have you considered: if Allāh should make for you the day continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allāh could bring you a night in which you may rest? Then will you not see?"