وَٱصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ 127
Translations
And be patient, [O Muḥammad], and your patience is not but through Allāh. And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they conspire.
Transliteration
Wasabir wa maa sabrika illa billah wa la tahzan alayhim wa la taku fee dayqin mimma yamkuroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to be patient, emphasizing that true patience is only achieved through reliance upon Allah. The ayah further instructs him not to grieve over the disbelievers' rejection and not to be distressed by their schemes and plots against him. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse acknowledges the emotional burden of da'wah while affirming that Allah's support and the ultimate victory belong to the believers, not to the machinations of the disbelievers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the conclusion of Surah An-Nahl and addresses the Prophet during the Meccan period when he faced intense persecution and ridicule from the Quraysh. The surah frequently emphasizes divine signs and the consequences of rejection, making this verse a consoling reminder amid opposition. The context reflects the challenges faced by the early Muslim community as they propagated monotheism against entrenched pagan resistance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything, and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity comes to him, he is grateful to Allah, and if adversity befalls him, he perseveres' (Sahih Muslim 2999). Additionally, the Quran repeatedly emphasizes patience (sabr) as in 2:153: 'O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer' (Sahih Bukhari 1469).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that genuine patience is not mere endurance but rather a conscious reliance upon Allah's power and wisdom, transforming hardship into spiritual strength. Modern Muslims facing difficulties—whether in spreading their faith, confronting injustice, or personal trials—are reminded that anxiety and grief about worldly setbacks contradict trust in Allah, whose plans are always better than human schemes.