فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُۥ 7
Translations
So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it,
Transliteration
Faman ya'mal mithqala dharratin khayran yarah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah conveys that whoever performs even the smallest good deed—equivalent in weight to an atom—will see its reward on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this establishes the principle of divine justice and accountability, where no deed is insignificant in Allah's sight. The ayah encourages believers to perform good deeds regardless of their apparent smallness, knowing that Allah's recompense is both certain and all-encompassing.
Revelation Context
Surah Az-Zalzalah was revealed in Medina and describes the events of the Day of Judgment, particularly the earthquake that will shake the earth. This ayah appears in the context of Allah's perfect justice on that Day, assuring believers that their deeds—whether great or small—will be witnessed and rewarded. It forms part of the surah's broader theme of divine accountability and the balance of deeds.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever performs a good deed, even if it is as small as a mustard seed, Allah will bring it forth on the Day of Judgment' (a similar concept to this ayah, supported by various hadith collections). Also related is the hadith: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), emphasizing the value of small consistent good deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no good action is ever wasted or insignificant in the eyes of Allah; even the smallest act of kindness, sincerity, or obedience carries weight and will be rewarded. For modern believers, this is a powerful reminder to perform consistent good deeds with intention, knowing that Allah sees and values every effort, no matter how humble it may appear.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَقَيَّضْنَا لَهُمْ قُرَنَآءَ فَزَيَّنُوا۟ لَهُم مَّا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلُ فِىٓ أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِينَ
And We appointed for them companions who made attractive to them what was before them and what was behind them [of sin], and the word [i.e., decree] has come into effect upon them among nations which had passed on before them of jinn and men. Indeed, they [all] were losers.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally."
وَمَا يُغْنِى عَنْهُ مَالُهُۥٓ إِذَا تَرَدَّىٰٓ
And what will his wealth avail him when he falls?
وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ فِى يَتَـٰمَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّـٰتِى لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ وَأَن تَقُومُوا۟ لِلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمًا
And they request from you, [O Muḥammad], a [legal] ruling concerning women. Say, "Allāh gives you a ruling about them and [about] what has been recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them - and [yet] you desire to marry them - and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for orphans [their rights] in justice." And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing of it.