۞ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 171
Translations
They receive good tidings of favor from Allāh and bounty and [of the fact] that Allāh does not allow the reward of believers to be lost -
Transliteration
Yastabshirūna bi-ni'matin min-Allāhi wa-fadlin wa-anna Allāha lā yudī'u ajra al-mu'minīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the martyrs (Shahada) rejoicing in the grace and favor of Allah bestowed upon them, and reassures believers that Allah never wastes the reward of those who have faith. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the martyrs of Uhud who are alive with their Lord, receiving provision and experiencing joy in the presence of Allah. The ayah emphasizes that sincere faith and sacrifice are never lost in Allah's sight, providing profound comfort to the believers left behind.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the context following the Battle of Uhud (3 AH), where seventy Muslims were killed. The passage consoles the living believers regarding the status of those who died in service of Allah's cause, assuring them that their sacrifices are honored and rewarded by the Almighty. This thematic context runs through Surah Ali 'Imran, addressing the trials and triumphs of the Muslim community in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The ayah relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The martyr does not feel the pain of being slain except like one of you feels the pinch of a pinch.' Additionally, in Surah 2:154, Allah states 'And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah, 'They are dead.' Rather, they are alive, but you perceive it not.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that sincere efforts and sacrifices made in the path of Allah are never wasted, and that those who give their lives for their faith experience a joy and reward incomprehensible to the living world. It encourages trust in Allah's justice and promises, providing solace during times of loss and strengthening conviction in the eternal value of faithful service.
Related Ayahs
۞ قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَٰجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ
Say, "Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allāh will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allāh. And Allāh is Seeing [i.e., aware] of [His] servants -
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ
Those to whom people [i.e., hypocrites] said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allāh, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
So by mercy from Allāh, [O Muḥammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allāh. Indeed, Allāh loves those who rely [upon Him].
فَرِحِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَيَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوا۟ بِهِم مِّنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Rejoicing in what Allāh has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them - that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.