نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَآؤُكُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِىٓ أَنفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ 31
Translations
We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter. And you will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you request [or wish]
Transliteration
Nahnu awliyaa'ukum fil-hayatid-dunya wa fil-aakhirah wa lakum fiha ma tashtaha anfusukum wa lakum fiha ma taddaun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the words of the angels addressing the righteous believers, declaring themselves as their protectors and allies in both this life and the Hereafter. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the angels promise that in Paradise, the believers will have whatever their souls desire and whatever they call for, emphasizing the eternal reward and complete fulfillment awaiting the pious. Al-Qurtubi notes this ayah highlights the special relationship between angels and those who obey Allah, serving as both spiritual comfort and motivation for righteous conduct.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Fussilat (a Meccan surah revealed during the early Meccan period) in the context of describing the fate of different groups on the Day of Judgment. The ayah specifically describes the conversation between angels and the inhabitants of Paradise, providing encouragement to the believers facing persecution in Mecca by reminding them of the ultimate reward awaiting them.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'For every deed there is a recompense, and Allah's recompense for good deeds is Paradise.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi) Additionally, the hadith: 'In Paradise, there are things which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has ever conceived' (Sahih Bukhari 3244) directly parallels the promise in this ayah of unlimited fulfillment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that obedience to Allah brings divine protection both in this worldly life through the guardianship of angels and in the Hereafter through eternal Paradise. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that the temporary struggles of maintaining faith and righteousness are insignificant compared to the infinite and perfect reward awaiting those who remain devoted to Allah.