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
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ شَهِيدٌ عَلَىٰ مَا تَعْمَلُونَ
Say, "O People of the Scripture, why do you disbelieve in the verses of Allāh while Allāh is Witness over what you do?"
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمْ وَقَعَدُوا۟ لَوْ أَطَاعُونَا مَا قُتِلُوا۟ ۗ قُلْ فَٱدْرَءُوا۟ عَنْ أَنفُسِكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Those who said about their brothers while sitting [at home], "If they had obeyed us, they would not have been killed." Say, "Then prevent death from yourselves, if you should be truthful."
إِن يَمْسَسْكُمْ قَرْحٌ فَقَدْ مَسَّ ٱلْقَوْمَ قَرْحٌ مِّثْلُهُۥ ۚ وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنكُمْ شُهَدَآءَ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
If a wound should touch you - there has already touched the [opposing] people a wound similar to it. And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people so that Allāh may make evident those who believe and [may] take to Himself from among you martyrs - and Allāh does not like the wrongdoers -
بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِۦ وَٱتَّقَىٰ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
But yes, whoever fulfills his commitment and fears Allāh - then indeed, Allāh loves those who fear Him.