وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ عَذَابِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ 27
Translations
And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord -
Transliteration
Wa alladhina hum min adhabi rabbihim mushfiqun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the believers who are in a constant state of fear and awe of their Lord's punishment, maintaining vigilance over their deeds and hearts. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this fear (khawf) is not paralyzing despair but rather a healthy reverence that motivates righteous action and prevents complacency in worship. Such fear, combined with hope in Allah's mercy, is considered a hallmark of the pious believers whom Allah loves.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Ma'arij is a Meccan surah revealed during a period of intense persecution of Muslims in Mecca. This ayah appears within a passage (verses 22-35) describing the characteristics of true believers, contrasting them with those who deny the afterlife and indulge in worldly pleasures. The context emphasizes that genuine faith is characterized by consciousness of accountability before Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Fear Allah wherever you are, for it is the foundation of all good' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet stated: 'The most perfect believer in faith is the one who has the best character' and this includes maintaining fear of Allah's punishment while doing good deeds (Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should cultivate a reverent fear of Allah's justice while maintaining hope in His mercy—this balanced awareness prevents both despair and complacency, inspiring consistent righteousness in daily life. This fear is not meant to paralyze but to purify the heart and motivate conscious obedience to Allah's commands.