إِنَّآ أَخْلَصْنَـٰهُم بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى ٱلدَّارِ 46
Translations
Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter].
Transliteration
Inna akhlasnāhum bi-khālisati dhikrā ad-dār
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah has chosen and purified these righteous servants (Prophets Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, mentioned in the preceding verses) by granting them the remembrance and mention of the Hereafter—meaning they were distinguished by their constant awareness of the afterlife and their prioritization of eternal concerns over worldly matters. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes how Allah selected these prophets specifically for their sincere devotion and their focus on the eternal home (ad-dār), making them exemplars of those who remember Allah and the Day of Judgment constantly.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Sad, which is Meccan and focuses on establishing monotheism and the reality of the Hereafter. The verses preceding 38:46 mention the righteous prophets Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, praising their faith and perseverance. The context celebrates how Allah honored these prophets by making them constant rememberers of the Hereafter, setting them apart as models for believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who remember Allah the most' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized that 'whoever remembers Allah much will find ease in all their affairs,' which aligns with the theme of continuous remembrance of the Hereafter mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true distinction before Allah comes not from worldly status or possessions, but from purifying one's heart and maintaining constant awareness of the Hereafter. Modern believers should cultivate a similar consciousness of eternity, letting the remembrance of the Final Day guide their priorities and actions in daily life.