وَيَقُولُونَ سُبْحَـٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِن كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفْعُولًا 108
Translations
And they say, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, the promise of our Lord has been fulfilled."
Transliteration
Wa-yaqūlūna subḥāna rabbinā in kāna wa'du rabbinā la-maf'ūlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the believers' response upon hearing the Qur'an—they glorify Allah and affirm their conviction that Allah's promise is certainly to be fulfilled. Ibn Kathir explains that this verse demonstrates the believers' awe and reverence for Allah's word, acknowledging that His promises regarding the Day of Judgment and Paradise are absolutely certain and will come to pass without doubt.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Isra (verses 107-109), which describes the reactions of different groups to the Qur'an. The preceding verses mention those who disbelieve, while this verse highlights the faithful believers who respond with glorification and certainty in Allah's promise. It reflects the Meccan period when the Qur'an was being rejected by the disbelievers while believers affirmed their faith.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (7:151) emphasizes the importance of testifying to Allah's unity and affirming His promises. Additionally, the hadith from Tirmidhi about the characteristics of the believers who hear the Qur'an and their hearts tremble with fear of Allah relates to the spiritual state described in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
True believers respond to the divine message not with doubt or hesitation, but with complete conviction in Allah's promises and humble glorification of His majesty. This ayah teaches us that firm belief in Allah's word should manifest in our actions and speech, declaring His transcendence and certainty in His ultimate justice.
Related Ayahs
أَوْ خَلْقًا مِّمَّا يَكْبُرُ فِى صُدُورِكُمْ ۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ مَن يُعِيدُنَا ۖ قُلِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۚ فَسَيُنْغِضُونَ إِلَيْكَ رُءُوسَهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هُوَ ۖ قُلْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَرِيبًا
Or [any] creation of that which is great within your breasts." And they will say, "Who will restore us?" Say, "He who brought you forth the first time." Then they will nod their heads toward you and say, "When is that?" Say, "Perhaps it will be soon -
سُنَّةَ مَن قَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَا ۖ وَلَا تَجِدُ لِسُنَّتِنَا تَحْوِيلًا
[That is Our] established way for those We had sent before you of Our messengers; and you will not find in Our way any alteration.
وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا
And from [part of] the night, pray with it [i.e., recitation of the Qur’ān] as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّى ٱلْقَتْلِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورًا
And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which Allāh has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].