ذُرِّيَّةًۢ بَعْضُهَا مِنۢ بَعْضٍ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 34
Translations
Descendants, some of them from others. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
Transliteration
Dhurriyyatan ba'duhaa min ba'd. Wa-Allahu samee'un aleem.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the righteous descendants of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Imran—emphasizing that they are connected through lineage and shared commitment to monotheism. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as highlighting the continuity of the prophetic message through generations, where each righteous generation produces offspring who maintain faith and guidance. The concluding phrase 'Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing' underscores that Allah is fully aware of the deeds and intentions of these chosen lineages.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the families of the prophets, specifically following the mention of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Imran as chosen servants. The thematic context emphasizes Allah's selection of righteous individuals and families throughout history to bear the message of monotheism, contrasting them with those who rejected faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the concept of righteous progeny is referenced in the Prophet's teaching that 'When a person dies, all their deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that benefits others, and righteous children who pray for them' (Sahih Muslim).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that righteousness is not merely individual but can be cultivated within families and transmitted across generations through conscious effort and divine guidance. For modern believers, it emphasizes the importance of nurturing faith in our children and communities, trusting that Allah hears and knows our sincere intentions in this endeavor.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَن تُغْنِىَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ وَقُودُ ٱلنَّارِ
Indeed, those who disbelieve - never will their wealth or their children avail them against Allāh at all. And it is they who are fuel for the Fire.
إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمُ ۗ وَمَا ٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْعِلْمُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ
Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allāh is Islām. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allāh, then indeed, Allāh is swift in [taking] account.
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
But as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards, and Allāh does not like the wrongdoers.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَن تُغْنِىَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۚ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve - never will their wealth or their children avail them against Allāh at all, and those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.