قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ ۗ وَأَرْضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٰسِعَةٌ ۗ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ 10
Translations
Say, "O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world is good, and the earth of Allāh is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account [i.e., limit]."
Transliteration
Qul ya 'ibadi alladhina amanu ittaqu rabbakum. Lilladhina ahsanu fi hadhihi ad-dunya hasanah. Wa ardhu allahi waasi'ah. Innama yuwaff as-sabirun ajrahum bighayri hisab.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to address the believers, urging them to fear their Lord, for those who do good in this world will receive goodness in return, and the earth of Allah is vast—implying believers should not feel constrained and may migrate or seek lawful sustenance elsewhere. The concluding statement emphasizes that the patient ones will receive their full reward without measure on the Day of Judgment, as noted by Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, highlighting divine generosity toward those who persevere in obedience despite hardship.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Az-Zumar's broader themes of monotheism and divine justice. It was revealed in Mecca during a period when Muslims faced persecution, and the phrase 'the earth of Allah is vast' served as encouragement for believers to migrate (hijrah) to safer lands if necessary, particularly referencing the early migrations to Abyssinia and eventually to Medina.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Verily, the greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves people, He tests them. Whoever is content, for him is contentment; and whoever is discontent, for him is discontent.' This relates to the concept of patience (sabr) and receiving boundless reward.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers are encouraged to maintain piety and excel in their actions, trusting that Allah's earth is spacious enough for their needs and that patient perseverance in faith yields immeasurable divine rewards. This ayah teaches that hardship and constraint are temporary, and that trust in Allah's provision and plan provides both spiritual and practical liberation.