فَلَا تَهِنُوا۟ وَتَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلسَّلْمِ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَوْنَ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَكُمْ وَلَن يَتِرَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلَكُمْ 35
Translations
So do not weaken and call for peace while you are superior; and Allāh is with you and will never deprive you of [the reward of] your deeds.
Transliteration
Fala tahnu wa tadAAu ila alssalmi waantumu alaaAAalawna wallahu maAAakum walan yatirrakum aAAmalakum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers not to weaken or incline toward peace while they hold the upper hand in battle against their enemies, assuring them of Allah's support and that He will not leave their deeds unrewarded. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as divine encouragement to maintain strength and resolve when facing adversaries, while the promise that 'Allah is with you' emphasizes divine assistance in righteous struggle. The phrase 'He will not waste your deeds' reassures believers that their sacrifices and efforts in the path of Allah will be fully compensated.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Madinah during the period of armed conflict between the Muslims and their enemies. This specific ayah addresses the Muslim warriors at a time when they had achieved military superiority, warning them against premature capitulation or weakness that might embolden their adversaries. It forms part of the broader Medinan discourse on jihad and establishing the Islamic state.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are the best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895), related thematically to strength combined with justice. Additionally, Surah Al-Anfal 8:65 complements this theme: 'O Prophet, urge the believers to battle.'
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should maintain steadfastness and resolve when they possess strength and advantage, trusting in Allah's support and knowing their efforts will not be wasted. This teaches the importance of balanced courage—neither premature surrender nor arrogance—while relying on divine aid and justice.
Related Ayahs
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ ٱلْمُجَـٰهِدِينَ مِنكُمْ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ وَنَبْلُوَا۟ أَخْبَارَكُمْ
And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you [for the cause of Allāh] and the patient, and We will test your affairs.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تَنصُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ
O you who have believed, if you support Allāh, He will support you and plant firmly your feet.
فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوَىٰكُمْ
So know, [O Muḥammad], that there is no deity except Allāh and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women. And Allāh knows of your movement and your resting place.
فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَضَرْبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا۟ ٱلْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّۢا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَآءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ ٱلْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَا۟ بَعْضَكُم بِبَعْضٍ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ
So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure [their] bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allāh had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allāh - never will He waste their deeds.