أَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أَقْسَمْتُمْ لَا يَنَالُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ ۚ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَآ أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ 49
Translations
[Allāh will say], "Are these the ones whom you [inhabitants of Hell] swore that Allāh would never offer them mercy? Enter Paradise, [O people of the Elevations]. No fear will there be concerning you, nor will you grieve."
Transliteration
A-hā'ulā'i alladhīna aqsamtum lā yanāluhumu allāhu bi-raḥmah. Ādkhulū al-jannata lā khawfun 'alaykum wa-lā antum taḥzanūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts the vindication of the poor believers on the Day of Judgment, addressing those arrogant wealthy disbelievers who had sworn that Allah would never grant mercy to the believing poor. The righteous believers enter Paradise while being told they have nothing to fear or grieve, affirming that worldly status has no bearing on Allah's judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this ayah refutes the false assumptions of the wealthy Quraysh who despised early believers like Bilal, Khabbab, and other slaves and poor converts.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Al-A'raf that discusses the Day of Judgment and the separation between the righteous and the wicked. It specifically addresses the arrogance of wealthy Meccan disbelievers (particularly from Quraysh) who looked down upon poor Muslim converts, believing their low social status reflected divine displeasure. The context shows how such worldly prejudices will be completely inverted on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The concept is reflected in the hadith: 'The best among you are those with the best character' (Jāmi' at-Tirmidhi). Also relevant is the hadith where the Prophet ﷺ said to Bilal (a formerly enslaved believer): 'O Bilal, tell me of the best deed you have done in Islam, for I heard the sound of your footsteps in Paradise' (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah's favor is not determined by wealth, social status, or worldly position, but by piety (taqwa) and righteous deeds. Believers should never judge others' worth by material circumstances and should recognize that ultimate justice belongs only to Allah, who sees the hearts of all people.