إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 218
Translations
Indeed, those who have believed and those who have emigrated and fought in the cause of Allāh - those expect the mercy of Allāh. And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Inna alladhina amanu wa alladhina hajaru wa jahadu fi sabil illah ula'ika yarjun rahmata illah wa illahu ghafurun rahimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that those who believe in Allah, and those who emigrated (made hijrah) and strived in the way of Allah have hope in His mercy. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse specifically honors the believers who made sacrifices through hijrah and jihad, assuring them that despite the hardships they endured, they remain within the scope of Allah's forgiveness and mercy. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the verse encompasses all believers, but gives special mention to those who emigrated and struggled, as their actions demonstrate the sincerity of their faith.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina during a period when the Muslim community faced opposition and persecution, necessitating migration from Mecca. This ayah was revealed in the context of encouraging the believers who had sacrificed their homes, wealth, and safety for their faith, assuring them of divine reward and mercy for their struggle in Allah's cause.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people is a believer who strives with his wealth and his self in the way of Allah' (Tirmidhi). Also, 'Whoever migrates for the sake of Allah will find many places of refuge and abundance on earth' (Sahih Bukhari 2521).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere belief combined with sacrifice and struggle in Allah's cause does not go unnoticed, and that Allah's mercy encompasses those who strive earnestly. For modern believers, it reminds us that every sacrifice made for faith—whether through emigration, dawah, or personal struggle against one's desires—is recorded by Allah and deserves His infinite compassion and reward.
Related Ayahs
۞ أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ وَهُمْ أُلُوفٌ حَذَرَ ٱلْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مُوتُوا۟ ثُمَّ أَحْيَـٰهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
Have you not considered those who left their homes in many thousands, fearing death? Allāh said to them, "Die"; then He restored them to life. And Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the people, but most of the people do not show gratitude.
وَمِنْهُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّآ أَمَانِىَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ
And among them are unlettered ones who do not know the Scripture except [indulgement in] wishful thinking, but they are only assuming.
لِلْفُقَرَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ ٱلْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَـٰهُمْ لَا يَسْـَٔلُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ
[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allāh, unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَٰتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُهْتَدُونَ
Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.