وَلِكُلٍّ وِجْهَةٌ هُوَ مُوَلِّيهَا ۖ فَٱسْتَبِقُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ ۚ أَيْنَ مَا تَكُونُوا۟ يَأْتِ بِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 148
Translations
For each [religious following] is a [prayer] direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allāh will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
Transliteration
Wa likullin wijhatun huwa muwallīhā, fastabiqū al-khayrāt, ayna mā takūnū ya'ti bikum Allāhu jamī'an, inna Allāha 'alā kulli shay'in qadīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the dispute among early Muslims regarding the direction of prayer (qiblah), affirming that each community has a direction they are responsible for, but what truly matters is the race toward good deeds. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that while external practices have specific rulings, the essence of faith lies in competing in righteous actions. The ayah reassures believers that Allah will ultimately gather all people and judge them according to their deeds, emphasizing Allah's complete power and omniscience.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period following the change of the qiblah from Jerusalem to Mecca (2:142-150). The context addresses confusion among Jews, Christians, and Muslims about the proper direction of prayer. Rather than dwelling on this external difference, the ayah redirects focus toward the universal principle of striving in good deeds regardless of one's location.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best deeds are those done with the most ihsān (excellence)' (Sahih Muslim). Additionally, the hadith 'Actions are judged by intentions' (Sahih Bukhari) relates to the principle that internal sincerity matters more than external observances alone.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that believers should prioritize sincere righteous action and moral excellence over disputes about external matters, understanding that Allah observes all intentions and actions regardless of location or circumstance. It invites Muslims to transcend sectarian or cultural divisions by uniting in the pursuit of good deeds.