۞ 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
قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَـٰلِكَ ٱلْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِى ٱلْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ ٱلْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Say, "O Allāh, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.
أَفَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضْوَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَنۢ بَآءَ بِسَخَطٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَأْوَىٰهُ جَهَنَّمُ ۚ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
So is one who pursues the pleasure of Allāh like one who brings upon himself the anger of Allāh and whose refuge is Hell? And wretched is the destination.
قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِىَ ٱلْكِبَرُ وَٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ ٱللَّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ
He said, "My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?" He [the angel] said, "Such is Allāh; He does what He wills."
وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ هُوَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۖ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ مِيرَٰثُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allāh has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allāh belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allāh, of what you do, is [fully] Aware.