ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ 156
Translations
Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allāh, and indeed to Him we will return."
Transliteration
Alladhina idha asabathum musibatun qalu inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the believers who, when afflicted with calamity or hardship, respond with the words 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return' (Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this statement reflects complete submission to Allah's decree, acknowledging His ownership of all things and their own mortality and inevitable return to Him. This response demonstrates spiritual maturity and patient acceptance of divine wisdom, transforming grief into a means of drawing closer to Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the broader context of Surah Al-Baqarah (a Medinan chapter) which establishes foundational principles of Islamic belief and practice. While no specific asbab al-nuzul (revelation occasion) is documented for this particular verse, it is thematically connected to the trials and tribulations faced by the early Muslim community in Medina, serving as guidance for enduring hardship with faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'When a Muslim is afflicted with hardship and says 'Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un,' Allah will surely recompense him for his loss and grant him something better in return' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, it is narrated that the Prophet encouraged this utterance during times of grief and loss.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true faith involves accepting Allah's will with grace during hardship, transforming suffering into spiritual growth by recognizing our dependence on Allah and our ultimate return to Him. For modern readers, this verse provides solace and a practical spiritual practice—the recitation of this sacred phrase—that redirects the heart toward Allah during life's inevitable trials.