وَلَئِن قُتِلْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْ مُتُّمْ لَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَحْمَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ 157
Translations
And if you are killed in the cause of Allāh or die - then forgiveness from Allāh and mercy are better than whatever they accumulate [in this world].
Transliteration
Wa-la'in qutiltum fi sabīlillāhi aw mittum lamagfiratun minallāhi wa rahmatun khayrun mimmā yajma'ūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah assures believers that if they are killed or die in the way of Allah (in jihad or striving for His cause), they will receive forgiveness and mercy from Allah, which is far superior to any worldly wealth and possessions they might accumulate. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a divine consolation to the Muslims, especially those at the Battle of Uhud, emphasizing that martyrdom (shahādah) in Allah's cause brings eternal reward that vastly outweighs temporary material gains.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within the context of Surah Ali 'Imran, which addresses lessons from the Battle of Uhud (3 AH/625 CE). The surah discusses the trials faced by believers and encourages steadfastness despite military setbacks. This particular verse serves to comfort and motivate believers to prioritize the afterlife over worldly accumulation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The martyr (shahīd) does not feel the pain of death except like one of you feels the prick of a thorn' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1663). Additionally, 'No one who dies and finds good from Allah wishes to return to this world, even if he were given all that is on the earth' (Sahih Muslim 2877).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to prioritize eternal reward over temporary material wealth and to accept trials with faith, knowing that sacrifice in Allah's cause brings divine mercy that far exceeds any worldly possession. It encourages a spiritual perspective where loss of life in righteousness is transformed into gain in the eternal realm.