يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ أَرْضِى وَٰسِعَةٌ فَإِيَّـٰىَ فَٱعْبُدُونِ 56
Translations
O My servants who have believed, indeed My earth is spacious, so worship only Me.
Transliteration
Ya 'ibadi alladhina amanu inna ardi waasi'atun fa-iyyaya fa'budun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is Allah's address to His believing servants, reassuring them that His earth is vast and spacious, and commanding them to worship only Him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's directive to believers facing persecution or hardship to migrate to safer lands where they can practice their faith freely, while emphasizing that true worship transcends geographical boundaries—what matters is sincere devotion to Allah alone. The verse combines practical guidance (emigration as a permissible solution) with spiritual principle (exclusive worship of Allah).
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Meccan period when Muslims faced severe persecution from the Quraysh, providing both permission and encouragement for believers to emigrate (hijrah) to regions where they could worship safely. Within Surah Al-'Ankabut's broader context of testing faith and steadfastness, this verse serves as a compassionate reminder that Allah provides means of relief for His persecuted servants.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever leaves their home in the cause of Allah will find many places of refuge and abundance on earth' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet commanded emigration from lands of oppression: 'Whoever among you cannot establish the religion should emigrate' (related to various collections on hijrah).
Themes
Key Lesson
For believers facing oppression or inability to practice faith freely, Allah provides practical solutions and alternatives, yet the ultimate objective remains sincere, undivided worship of the Creator. This teaches modern Muslims that removing oneself from spiritually harmful environments is permissible and sometimes necessary, but the journey's purpose is always to draw closer to Allah.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْثَـٰنًا وَتَخْلُقُونَ إِفْكًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لَكُمْ رِزْقًا فَٱبْتَغُوا۟ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرِّزْقَ وَٱعْبُدُوهُ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لَهُۥٓ ۖ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
You only worship, besides Allāh, idols, and you produce a falsehood. Indeed, those you worship besides Allāh do not possess for you [the power of] provision. So seek from Allāh provision and worship Him and be grateful to Him. To Him you will be returned."
وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱتَّقُوهُ ۖ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
And [We sent] Abraham, when he said to his people, "Worship Allāh and fear Him. That is best for you, if you should know.
قَالَ إِنَّ فِيهَا لُوطًا ۚ قَالُوا۟ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن فِيهَا ۖ لَنُنَجِّيَنَّهُۥ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَهُۥ كَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ
[Abraham] said, "Indeed, within it is Lot." They said, "We are more knowing of who is within it. We will surely save him and his family, except his wife. She is to be of those who remain behind."
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلطُّوفَانُ وَهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ
And We certainly sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years minus fifty years, and the flood seized them while they were wrongdoers.