وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا۟ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۚ إِنَّمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ 95
Translations
And do not exchange the covenant of Allāh for a small price. Indeed, what is with Allāh is best for you, if only you could know.
Transliteration
Wa lā tashtarū bi-'ahdi -llāhi thaman qalīlā. Innamā 'inda -llāhi huwa khayrun lakum in kuntum ta'lamūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah prohibits believers from exchanging Allah's covenant (which includes His religion, promises, and commandments) for a small or trivial price—whether material gain, worldly status, or personal comfort. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a warning against compromising one's faith, breaking oaths, or betraying Islamic principles for temporary worldly benefits. The ayah assures that what Allah offers (eternal reward, dignity, and true guidance) far surpasses any fleeting material gain.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nahl, which addresses various aspects of divine guidance and moral conduct. The broader thematic context emphasizes covenant-keeping, honesty in dealings, and loyalty to Allah's commands. Some classical commentators relate this to believers who were tempted to abandon Islamic principles during the Meccan period of persecution.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895), emphasizing covenant-keeping in relationships. Additionally, 'Whoever breaks a covenant has disbelieved' (related to covenant-breaking) reflects the severity of violating agreements with Allah and others.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should never sacrifice their religious principles, integrity, or divine obligations for temporary material benefits or social pressure, as the eternal reward and divine pleasure from Allah immeasurably surpass any worldly gain. This ayah calls us to recognize that true prosperity lies in faithfulness to Allah's covenant, not in expedient compromises.
Related Ayahs
وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَبْكَمُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوْلَىٰهُ أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ ۖ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى هُوَ وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۙ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And Allāh presents an example of two men, one of them dumb and unable to do a thing, while he is a burden to his guardian. Wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to one who commands justice, while he is on a straight path?
۞ وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ ۚ قَالُوا۟ خَيْرًا ۗ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ ۚ وَلَدَارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ ۚ وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
And it will be said to those who feared Allāh, "What did your Lord send down?" They will say, "[That which is] good." For those who do good in this world is good; and the home of the Hereafter is better. And how excellent is the home of the righteous -
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ۚ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تِبْيَـٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect among every nation a witness over them from themselves [i.e., their prophet]. And We will bring you, [O Muḥammad], as a witness over these [i.e., your nation]. And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.
مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ ۖ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ بَاقٍ ۗ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوٓا۟ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Whatever you have will end, but what Allāh has is lasting. And We will surely give those who were patient their reward according to the best of what they used to do.