مَّن يُصْرَفْ عَنْهُ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمَهُۥ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْمُبِينُ 16
Translations
He from whom it is averted that Day - [Allāh] has granted him mercy. And that is the clear attainment.
Transliteration
Man yusraf 'anhu yawma'idhin faqad rahamahu, wa dhalika al-fawz al-mubin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Day of Judgment, stating that whoever is spared or averted from punishment on that Day has indeed been shown mercy by Allah, and this is the clear/manifest success. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse emphasizes that deliverance from the punishment of the Day of Resurrection is the greatest mercy and the ultimate victory, as it represents salvation from eternal torment. The 'turning away' (sarf) of punishment is understood as divine protection and forgiveness.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-An'am, a Meccan surah that extensively discusses monotheism, the resurrection, and the Day of Judgment. Verse 6:16 is part of a passage (verses 15-16) contrasting the desires of disbelievers with the true success of believers, emphasizing that worldly gains pale in comparison to salvation on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever is forgiven by Allah on the Day of Resurrection, he is indeed successful' (related concept in various hadith collections). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet emphasizes that 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' - showing that merciful treatment in this life reflects Allah's mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that the greatest success is not material wealth or worldly achievement, but rather Allah's mercy and protection from His punishment on the Day of Judgment. It should motivate us to prioritize our relationship with Allah and righteousness over fleeting worldly pursuits, recognizing that ultimate victory lies only in divine forgiveness and salvation.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتَكُمْ إِنْ أَتَىٰكُمْ عَذَابُ ٱللَّهِ بَغْتَةً أَوْ جَهْرَةً هَلْ يُهْلَكُ إِلَّا ٱلْقَوْمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
Say, "Have you considered: if the punishment of Allāh should come to you unexpectedly or manifestly, will any be destroyed but the wrongdoing people?"
وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۚ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَادِرٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يُنَزِّلَ ءَايَةً وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And they say, "Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, "Indeed, Allāh is Able to send down a sign, but most of them do not know."
قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
Say, "Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."
وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَحَاقَ بِٱلَّذِينَ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by that which they used to ridicule.