قُل لَّن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلْفِرَارُ إِن فَرَرْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْمَوْتِ أَوِ ٱلْقَتْلِ وَإِذًا لَّا تُمَتَّعُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا 16
Translations
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Never will fleeing benefit you if you should flee from death or killing; and then [if you did], you would not be given enjoyment [of life] except for a little."
Transliteration
Qul lan yanfa'akumu al-firaru in farartum mina al-mawti awi al-qatli wa-idhan la tumat-ta'un illa qalilan
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah instructs the Prophet (peace be upon him) to inform the believers that fleeing from death or being killed will not benefit them, as their appointed time (ajal) is predetermined and cannot be escaped. If they were to flee, they would only enjoy a brief respite before inevitably facing their end. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this ayah emphasizes the futility of running from one's divinely ordained destiny and the importance of accepting Allah's decree with courage and faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed during the Battle of the Confederates (Ghazwah al-Ahzab) in 5 AH, when the Muslims faced overwhelming combined forces and some showed fear or hesitation. The surah addresses the believers' anxieties and emphasizes trust in Allah's plan, encouraging steadfastness rather than cowardice in the face of danger.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever dies will be saved from the trials of the dajjal [false messiah]' (Sahih Muslim 2937), emphasizing that death is a relief from worldly tribulations. Additionally, the hadith 'No soul dies except by Allah's permission at an appointed time' (Sunan Ibn Majah 4271) reinforces the concept of predetermined lifespan mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true security comes not from running away from challenges or death, but from submitting to Allah's will and having faith in His wisdom. It encourages believers to face life's difficulties with courage and acceptance, knowing that all timings and outcomes are in Allah's hands alone.