وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱلْحَىِّ ٱلَّذِى لَا يَمُوتُ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِهِۦ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِۦ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًا 58
Translations
And rely upon the Ever-Living who does not die, and exalt [Allāh] with His praise. And sufficient is He to be, with the sins of His servants, [fully] Aware -
Transliteration
Wa-tawakkal 'alal-Hayy alladhī lā yamūt wa-sabbih bihamdih. Wa-kafā bihī bidhunūb 'ibādih khabīrā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to place complete trust in Allah, the Ever-Living One who never dies, and to glorify Him with His praise. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the phrase "The Ever-Living who dies not" emphasizes Allah's eternal existence and self-sufficiency, making Him the only worthy object of reliance. The final clause affirms that Allah is fully aware of His servants' sins—He knows their nature, circumstances, and intentions—implying His perfect ability to forgive, punish justly, or show mercy as He wills.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the Meccan period of Surah Al-Furqan, which deals with themes of monotheism, the prophethood of Muhammad, and refutation of polytheistic arguments. It comes in a section addressing the Prophet during a time of intense opposition from the Quraysh, providing spiritual consolation and encouragement to rely solely on Allah's eternal nature and infinite knowledge rather than the machinations of opponents.
Related Hadiths
The concept of tawakkul (reliance on Allah) is extensively covered in hadith literature. A relevant example is in Jami' at-Tirmidhi where the Prophet said, 'Trust in Allah as if you have no need of anyone, and be cautious as if you expect harm from everyone.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah records that trusting in Allah with sincerity is among the greatest means of attaining sustenance and divine protection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true peace and security come not from worldly circumstances or human support, but from absolute trust in Allah's eternal existence and perfect knowledge. For modern believers facing difficulties or uncertainty, the message is to redirect anxieties toward Allah alone, glorify Him sincerely, and trust that He is fully aware of every hardship and transgression—aware in a way that encompasses perfect wisdom, mercy, and justice.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous."
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ بُشْرًۢا بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَحْمَتِهِۦ ۚ وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً طَهُورًا
And it is He who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy [i.e., rainfall], and We send down from the sky pure water
تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَـٰلَمِينَ نَذِيرًا
Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His Servant that he may be to the worlds a warner -
لَّهُمْ فِيهَا مَا يَشَآءُونَ خَـٰلِدِينَ ۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ وَعْدًا مَّسْـُٔولًا
For them therein is whatever they wish, [while] abiding eternally. It is ever upon your Lord a promise [worthy to be] requested.