فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ ۚ فَإِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ 77
Translations
So be patient, [O Muḥammad]; indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And whether We show you some of what We have promised them or We take you in death, it is to Us they will be returned.
Transliteration
Fasbir inna wa'da Allahi haqqun fa-imma nuriyannaka ba'da allathi na'iduhum aw natawaffaynnak fa-ilayna yurja'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to be patient, assuring him that His promise is true and will certainly come to pass. This ayah indicates that whether the Prophet witnesses the punishment of the disbelievers in his lifetime or is taken by death before that, the ultimate return and judgment of all people belongs to Allah alone. As Ibn Kathir explains, this verse provides reassurance during persecution: the promise of victory is certain whether realized in this life or the next, and accountability ultimately rests with the Almighty.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ghafir, which addresses the persecution faced by believers in Mecca. It was revealed to console the Prophet Muhammad and early Muslims during their trials, emphasizing patience and trust in Allah's promise of eventual vindication and the disbelievers' punishment, whether witnessed in this world or the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Book of Patience, 76:470) where the Prophet said: 'Whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. No one is given a better or greater gift than patience.' This reinforces the command to patience in this ayah. Additionally, the hadith about the Dajjal and the Hour in Sahih Muslim relates to the certainty of Allah's promises coming to fruition.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that patience in the face of adversity is essential, for Allah's promises are guaranteed to be fulfilled regardless of when we witness them. The practical lesson is to maintain unwavering faith in divine justice and avoid despair, knowing that ultimate justice and accountability belong to Allah alone, and we will all return to Him.