وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ 35
Translations
But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].
Transliteration
Wa mā yuallaqāhā illā alladhīna sabaru wa mā yuallaqāhā illā dhū haẓẓin ʿaẓīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that excellent character and noble conduct (الحسنى - al-ḥusnā, referring to the best and most beautiful attributes) can only be attained by those who exercise patience (ṣabr) and perseverance. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this gift of excellent character is granted only to those who possess great fortune and divine favor (ḥaẓẓ ʿaẓīm). The verse establishes patience as the prerequisite virtue for achieving moral excellence and spiritual elevation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Fussilat, a Meccan chapter revealed during the early period of Islam when the Prophet (ﷺ) and believers faced significant trials and opposition. The surah's broader context emphasizes Allah's signs, patience through adversity, and the spiritual rewards for those who maintain righteousness despite difficulties. This verse specifically addresses the believers' need to cultivate patience as a means of developing superior moral character.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever is given patience, is given abundant good (خير).' (Sahih Muslim 1053). Additionally, the Prophet stated: 'There is no gift better and more encompassing than patience.' (Sunan Ibn Majah 4259, Jami' at-Tirmidhi 4176).
Themes
Key Lesson
True excellence of character is not achieved easily or by everyone, but exclusively by those who cultivate patience through life's challenges. Modern believers should understand that developing noble character requires sustained effort and perseverance, treating difficulties as opportunities to strengthen both faith and moral integrity.
Related Ayahs
وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَدْعُونَ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَظَنُّوا۟ مَا لَهُم مِّن مَّحِيصٍ
And lost from them will be those they were invoking before, and they will be certain that they have no place of escape.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ فَٱخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ ۗ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍ
And We had already given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement. And if not for a word [i.e., decree] that preceded from your Lord, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Qur’ān], in disquieting doubt.
وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَتِرُونَ أَن يَشْهَدَ عَلَيْكُمْ سَمْعُكُمْ وَلَآ أَبْصَـٰرُكُمْ وَلَا جُلُودُكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن ظَنَنتُمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَعْلَمُ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
And you were not covering [i.e., protecting] yourselves, lest your hearing testify against you or your sight or your skins, but you assumed that Allāh does not know much of what you do.
ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَهِىَ دُخَانٌ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ ٱئْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًا قَالَتَآ أَتَيْنَا طَآئِعِينَ
Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, "Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly."