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
۞ إِلَيْهِ يُرَدُّ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ ۚ وَمَا تَخْرُجُ مِن ثَمَرَٰتٍ مِّنْ أَكْمَامِهَا وَمَا تَحْمِلُ مِنْ أُنثَىٰ وَلَا تَضَعُ إِلَّا بِعِلْمِهِۦ ۚ وَيَوْمَ يُنَادِيهِمْ أَيْنَ شُرَكَآءِى قَالُوٓا۟ ءَاذَنَّـٰكَ مَا مِنَّا مِن شَهِيدٍ
To Him [alone] is attributed knowledge of the Hour. And fruits emerge not from their coverings nor does a female conceive or give birth except with His knowledge. And the Day He will call to them, "Where are My 'partners'?" they will say, "We announce to You that there is [no longer] among us any witness [to that]."
وَقَالُوا۟ لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنطَقَنَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
And they will say to their skins, "Why have you testified against us?" They will say, "We were made to speak by Allāh, who has made everything speak; and He created you the first time, and to Him you are returned.
بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا فَأَعْرَضَ أَكْثَرُهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ
As a giver of good tidings and a warner; but most of them turn away, so they do not hear.
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَٱسْتَقِيمُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ۗ وَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "I am only a man like you to whom it has been revealed that your god is but one God; so take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness." And woe to those who associate others with Allāh