لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِيهِمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ 6
Translations
There has certainly been for you in them an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day. And whoever turns away - then indeed, Allāh is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.
Transliteration
Laqad kana lakum feehim uswatun hasanatun liman kana yarjoo Allaha wa-alyawma al-akhira wa-man yatawalla fa-inna Allaha huwa al-ghanniyyu al-hameed
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the believers who migrated with the Prophet Muhammad as exemplars of faith for those who hope in Allah and the Day of Judgment. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the 'good example' (uswah hasanah) refers specifically to Prophet Abraham and his followers who abandoned idolatry and their families for Allah's sake, as mentioned in the preceding verses (60:4). The ayah concludes by warning that whoever turns away from this guidance should know that Allah is Self-Sufficient (al-Ghanni) and Praiseworthy (al-Hamid), requiring no one's obedience.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in the Medinan period regarding the case of believers who had non-Muslim relatives, particularly addressing the emigration (hijrah) of the Prophet's companions and their separation from idolatrous families. The context of verses 60:4-6 specifically relates to the example set by Abraham and the believers who preceded the Prophet Muhammad, establishing that sacrificing family ties for monotheism is a noble precedent.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (#3612) wherein the Prophet said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family,' relates thematically to the importance of balanced relationships. Additionally, Tirmidhi reports that the Prophet emphasized following the example of the prophets before him.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should view the commitment of those who sacrificed worldly ties for faith as inspiration for their own spiritual journey, understanding that true devotion to Allah sometimes requires difficult choices. The ayah reminds us that following righteous examples is not obligatory for everyone, but only for those whose hearts genuinely hope in Allah and the Hereafter.