ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ 20
Translations
The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allāh with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allāh. And it is those who are the attainers [of success].
Transliteration
Alladhīna āmanū wa-hājarū wa-jāhadū fī sabīli-llāhi bi-amwālihim wa-anfusihim a'ẓamu darajatan 'inda-llāh. Wa-ulā'ika humu-l-fā'izūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the elevated spiritual rank of those who combine faith (īmān), migration (hijrah), and striving in Allah's cause (jihād) by sacrificing both their wealth and lives. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah particularly honors the Muhājirūn (those who migrated from Mecca to Madinah) and those who fought alongside the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), as they embodied all three qualities. The verse concludes that such individuals are the true winners (al-fā'izūn) in this life and the Hereafter, having attained success through complete submission and sacrifice.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah during the period of military expeditions and jihād, this ayah was contextualized by the struggles of early Muslims who left their homes, possessions, and families to establish Islam in Madinah. It specifically honors the Muhājirūn and the Ansār (helpers) who sacrificed materially and physically, distinguishing their merit from those who merely professed faith without action.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people is a believer who strives in the way of Allah with his life and wealth' (Jāmi' at-Tirmidhī). Additionally, 'Whoever emigrates for the sake of Allah will find on earth many resources and abundance' (Sahīh al-Bukhārī 2520).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that sincere faith must be accompanied by concrete action and sacrifice; true devotion to Allah's cause is measured not by words alone but by willingness to give up worldly comforts and security. For modern readers, this teaches that meaningful spiritual achievement requires commitment, effort, and sometimes difficult choices in service of one's values and faith.
Related Ayahs
وَلَا تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُهُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُعَذِّبَهُم بِهَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَتَزْهَقَ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَهُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ
And let not their wealth and their children impress you. Allāh only intends to punish them through them in this world and that their souls should depart [at death] while they are disbelievers.
فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ نِفَاقًا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يَلْقَوْنَهُۥ بِمَآ أَخْلَفُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْذِبُونَ
So He penalized them with hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they will meet Him - because they failed Allāh in what they promised Him and because they [habitually] used to lie.
وَمَا كَانَ ٱسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَآ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُۥٓ أَنَّهُۥ عَدُوٌّ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ ۚ إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لَأَوَّٰهٌ حَلِيمٌ
And the request of forgiveness of Abraham for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became apparent to him [i.e., Abraham] that he [i.e., the father] was an enemy to Allāh, he disassociated himself from him. Indeed was Abraham compassionate and patient.
يَوْمَ يُحْمَىٰ عَلَيْهَا فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكْوَىٰ بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمْ وَجُنُوبُهُمْ وَظُهُورُهُمْ ۖ هَـٰذَا مَا كَنَزْتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا۟ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْنِزُونَ
The Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell and seared therewith will be their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, [it will be said], "This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you used to hoard."