وَإِنَّهُمْ عِندَنَا لَمِنَ ٱلْمُصْطَفَيْنَ ٱلْأَخْيَارِ 47
Translations
And indeed they are, to Us, among the chosen and outstanding.
Transliteration
Wa-innahum 'indana lamina al-mustafawna al-akhyar
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the righteous servants mentioned in the preceding context (Ishmael, Idris, and Dhul-Kifl) are indeed among the chosen and best of people in Allah's sight. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's testimony to their elevated spiritual status and virtue, emphasizing that their selection was based on their piety, obedience, and moral excellence. The terms al-mustafawna (the chosen) and al-akhyar (the best) denote both divine election and personal merit in fulfilling their prophetic missions.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter portion of Surah Saad, which is a Meccan surah addressing the polytheists of Mecca regarding the reality of prophethood and divine guidance. The ayah contextually follows mentions of specific prophets and righteous servants, emphasizing their honored status to challenge the Meccan rejection of the Prophet Muhammad and the message of monotheism. The broader theme reinforces that Allah's chosen servants possess remarkable spiritual qualities worthy of emulation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding the chosen servants: 'The best of people are those of my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them' (Sahih Bukhari 3650). Additionally, the Quran establishes in Surah An-Nisa (4:69) that whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be with the prophets and righteous ones in Paradise, demonstrating the honor bestowed upon the chosen.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true honor and distinction in Allah's eyes come not from worldly status or lineage, but from piety, obedience, and moral character. We should aspire to emulate the qualities of these chosen servants—steadfastness, righteousness, and sincere devotion—as these are the criteria by which Allah measures human worth.