وَنَجَّيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ 18
Translations
And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allāh.
Transliteration
Wa najjayna alladhina amanu wa kanu yattaqun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah saves and delivers those who believe and practice taqwa (God-consciousness). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that true belief must be accompanied by righteous action and fear of Allah—mere verbal profession is insufficient. The verse assures believers of divine protection and salvation as a reward for their faith and piety.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Fussilat (a Meccan surah), within a passage describing the Day of Judgment and the fates of believers versus disbelievers. It contextualizes the broader theme of the surah: that the Quran details and explains divine truths, and those who accept and practice upon it will be saved, while those who reject it face destruction.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Taqwa is here' (pointing to the heart) three times (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2409). Additionally, 'The most perfect of believers in faith are the best of them in character' (Sunan Abu Dawud 4682), reflecting the integration of belief and righteous conduct.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers are reminded that salvation is not achieved through faith alone, but through the combination of sincere belief and conscious obedience to Allah's commands. This encourages continuous self-examination and spiritual vigilance, reassuring the faithful that their efforts to maintain piety will result in Allah's protection and ultimate deliverance.
Related Ayahs
فَإِن يَصْبِرُوا۟ فَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَّهُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا۟ فَمَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُعْتَبِينَ
So [even] if they are patient, the Fire is a residence for them; and if they ask to appease [Allāh], they will not be of those who are allowed to appease.
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِ ٱلَّيْلُ وَٱلنَّهَارُ وَٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ ۚ لَا تَسْجُدُوا۟ لِلشَّمْسِ وَلَا لِلْقَمَرِ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُنَّ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allāh, who created them, if it should be Him that you worship.
وَلَا تَسْتَوِى ٱلْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌ
And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِٱلذِّكْرِ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَكِتَـٰبٌ عَزِيزٌ
Indeed, those who disbelieve in the message [i.e., the Qur’ān] after it has come to them... And indeed, it is a mighty Book.