قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ 14
Translations
He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself
Transliteration
Qad aflaha man tazakka
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that whoever purifies themselves spiritually and morally has achieved true success. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret 'tazakka' (purification) as the cleansing of the soul from sins, arrogance, and worldly attachments through obedience to Allah and righteous deeds. The ayah emphasizes that genuine success is not material prosperity but spiritual elevation and closeness to the Divine.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-A'la is a Meccan surah focused on glorifying Allah and the themes of remembrance and purification of the soul. This ayah appears near the conclusion of the surah and encapsulates its central message: that true felicity comes through tazkiyah (spiritual purification), not through wealth or status. It serves as an answer to the human tendency to measure success by worldly standards.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The most beloved of you to me and the closest of you to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those of you with the best character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Bukhari) relates to the inner purification that leads to success.
Themes
Key Lesson
True success in life is measured by spiritual purity and righteousness, not by material wealth or worldly achievements. Believers should focus on continuously purifying their hearts and souls from vice, arrogance, and attachment to the temporal world, recognizing that such inner transformation is the foundation of lasting happiness and divine approval.