ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْمَرْحَمَةِ 17
Translations
And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion.
Transliteration
Thumma kāna mina alladhīna āmanū wa-tawāsaw bi-al-sabri wa-tawāsaw bi-al-marhamah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristics of those who are truly on the right path: they possess faith (īmān), and they mutually enjoin one another to patience (sabr) and mercy (rahmah). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, these are the essential spiritual qualities that accompany genuine belief—not merely intellectual acceptance, but active commitment to patience through trials and compassion toward others. Al-Tabari emphasizes that 'tawāsaw' (mutual enjoining) indicates a community of believers who strengthen each other morally and spiritually, making these virtues collective responsibilities rather than individual pursuits.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Balad was revealed in Mecca and addresses the struggle of the early Muslim community facing persecution and hardship. This particular ayah comes at the conclusion of the surah (verses 17-20) and represents the climax of the message: identifying those who will truly succeed are those who combine faith with practical virtues of endurance and compassion—qualities essential for surviving the trials of early Islamic life.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa-sallam) said: 'The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are like one body. When one limb suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.' (Sahih Bukhari 5665). Additionally, 'He is not a believer whose stomach is full while his neighbor is hungry' (Sunan Ibn Majah 3682) relates to the theme of mercy and mutual care.
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith is not a passive state but an active engagement—believers must cultivate patience through life's difficulties and extend mercy to others, strengthening one another in both virtues. In our modern context, this reminds us that spiritual growth is communal; we are responsible for uplifting and encouraging others toward righteousness and compassion, creating communities of mutual moral support.