ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ 7
Translations
Those who disbelieve will have a severe punishment, and those who believe and do righteous deeds will have forgiveness and great reward.
Transliteration
Alladhina kafaroo lahum adhābun shadīd, wa-alladhina āmanoo wa-amiloo as-sālihāt lahum maghfirah wa-ajrun kabīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a stark contrast between two groups: those who reject faith (the disbelievers) who will face severe punishment, and those who believe and perform righteous deeds who will receive forgiveness and tremendous reward. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this verse encapsulates the fundamental Islamic principle of divine justice—that actions have eternal consequences, with disbelief leading to punishment and faith combined with good deeds leading to divine mercy and abundant reward.
Revelation Context
Surah Fatir is a Meccan surah addressing the polytheists of Mecca who rejected the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This ayah appears in the context of warnings about the consequences of kufr (disbelief) and encouragement for believers, reflecting the early Meccan period's emphasis on monotheism and accountability in the afterlife.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Actions are but by intentions, and each person shall have but that which he intended' (Sahih Bukhari 1). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the seven categories of people shaded by Allah's throne on the Day of Judgment emphasizes that righteous deeds coupled with faith bring divine protection and reward.
Themes
Key Lesson
Faith without righteous action is incomplete; believers must pair their belief with good deeds to attain forgiveness and divine reward. This ayah reminds us that our choices have eternal significance and encourages consistent moral conduct as an expression of sincere faith in Allah.