وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتُضْعِفُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ 5
Translations
And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors
Transliteration
Wa nureedu an nammunna alal-ladheena istud'ifu fee al-ardi wa naj'alahum aimmatan wa naj'alahum al-waaritheeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah expresses Allah's divine will to grant favor and elevation to the oppressed and weakened people on earth, making them leaders (imams) and inheritors of the land and its blessings. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah specifically refers to the Children of Israel who were enslaved under Pharaoh, and their eventual deliverance and establishment as a righteous nation. The verse emphasizes Allah's justice in reversing the fortunes of the oppressed and His promise that those who suffer tyranny will ultimately inherit authority and dignity.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Qasas, which recounts the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and his struggle against Pharaoh's oppression of the Israelites. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Meccan period when Muslims themselves were being persecuted, providing them comfort and assurance that Allah would ultimately grant them victory. The specific context of this ayah relates to Allah's promise regarding the Children of Israel's liberation from Egyptian slavery and their transformation into leaders and inheritors of the land.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Verily, the most excellent of your religion in the sight of Allah is justice.' (Sunan Ibn Majah) - This relates to the theme of divine justice in reversing oppression. Additionally, the hadith about the final hour mentions the elevation of the previously humbled, connecting to the concept of inheriting the earth mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah offers profound hope to those suffering injustice and oppression, assuring them that Allah's plan includes their eventual elevation and empowerment. For modern believers, it teaches that patience in the face of tyranny, combined with faith in Allah's justice, leads to ultimate vindication and that true leadership comes from serving justice and righteousness.