يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ إِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِى ۙ فَمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ وَأَصْلَحَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ 35
Translations
O children of Adam, if there come to you messengers from among you relating to you My verses [i.e., scriptures and laws], then whoever fears Allāh and reforms - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
Transliteration
Ya bani adama amma ya'tinannakum rusulun minkum yaqussun alaikum ayati, faman ittaqa wa aslaha fala khawfun alaihim wa la hum yahzanun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the children of Adam, assuring them that whenever messengers from among themselves come to them reciting Allah's signs, those who fear Allah (taqwa) and reform their deeds will have no fear or grief in this life or the hereafter. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this verse emphasizes that righteousness combined with adherence to divine guidance guarantees spiritual security and peace, while the rejection of messengers leads to punishment and despair.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-A'raf (a Meccan surah revealed in the middle Meccan period), which discusses the history of prophets and peoples. This particular verse is situated within a passage addressing humanity's responsibility to accept the messengers sent to them, establishing the principle that divine guidance is accessible to all generations through prophets from their own kind.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3.125) where the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: 'The best of you are those with the best character' relates to the concept of 'aslaha' (reform/righteousness). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim about taqwa being the closest thing to piety underscores the reward mentioned in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
True security and peace come not from worldly possessions or status, but from cultivating taqwa (consciousness of Allah) and actively reforming one's character and deeds. The accessibility of divine guidance through messengers places responsibility on humanity to seek and follow truth, knowing that obedience brings tranquility while rejection brings only regret.