۞ 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
لَيْسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ شَىْءٌ أَوْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ أَوْ يُعَذِّبَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ
Not for you, [O Muḥammad, but for Allāh], is the decision whether He should [cut them down] or forgive them or punish them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers.
وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِثْمًا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Those who say, "Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire,"
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ لَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَـٰبٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِۦ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُۥ ۚ قَالَ ءَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُمْ إِصْرِى ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَقْرَرْنَا ۚ قَالَ فَٱشْهَدُوا۟ وَأَنَا۠ مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
And [recall, O People of the Scripture], when Allāh took the covenant of the prophets, [saying], "Whatever I give you of the Scripture and wisdom and then there comes to you a messenger confirming what is with you, you [must] believe in him and support him." [Allāh] said, "Have you acknowledged and taken upon that My commitment?" They said, "We have acknowledged it." He said, "Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses."