وَٱعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ ٱلْيَقِينُ 99
Translations
And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty [i.e., death].
Transliteration
Wa'bud rabbaka hatta ya'tiyaka al-yaqin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (and by extension, all believers) to worship Allah continuously until death arrives, referred to as 'al-yaqin' (certainty), which scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret as death itself—the absolute certainty that will come to every soul. The command emphasizes that worship and servitude to Allah should be a lifelong commitment without interruption, as death is the only valid reason for cessation of this obligation. This ayah encapsulates the Islamic principle that a believer's relationship with their Lord should endure throughout their entire lifetime without wavering.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes Surah Al-Hijr and serves as the final verse of guidance in this Meccan surah. It comes within a broader context of the surah addressing the Prophet's mission and the importance of steadfastness in conveying the message, providing a fitting conclusion that emphasizes perpetual devotion as the ultimate requirement for the believer and the messenger alike.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of deeds is that which is done continuously, even if it is little' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, Aisha reported that the Prophet asked, 'Which deed is most beloved to Allah?' He replied, 'The most continuous and regular, even if it were little' (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that sincere worship should be a constant practice throughout life, not sporadic or conditional, and that maintaining consistency in our relationship with Allah—however modest—is far superior to intermittent intense devotion. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that spiritual growth is a marathon, not a sprint, and that dedication to faith and ethical living should remain unwavering regardless of life's circumstances.