مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ 97
Translations
Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.
Transliteration
Man amila salihan min dhakarin aw untha wa huwa mu'minun falanahyiyannahu hayatan tayyibatan wa lanajziyannnahum ajrahum bi-ahsan ma kanu ya'malun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that righteous deeds coupled with faith guarantee a good and wholesome life in this world, along with the best reward in the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'hayat tayyibah' (good life) encompasses physical sustenance, peace of heart, spiritual contentment, and honor, regardless of external circumstances. The ayah's inclusion of both male and female believers underscores the universal applicability of this divine promise and the equality of reward based on action and sincerity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan portion of Surah An-Nahl and addresses the early Muslim community facing persecution and hardship. It provides comfort and reassurance to believers that despite their worldly struggles, Allah guarantees them a good life through faith and righteous conduct. The broader context of the surah discusses divine blessings and guidance, making this ayah a central message of hope and divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Richness is not in having many possessions, but richness is the richness of the soul' (Sahih Bukhari 6446). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Whoever among you wakes up secure in their family, healthy in their body, and has food for the day, it is as if the whole world has been given to them' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2346), reflecting the concept of 'hayat tayyibah.'
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should understand that true wealth and a good life stem from sincere faith combined with righteous action, not from material accumulation alone. This ayah encourages both men and women to pursue good deeds with unwavering belief, trusting that Allah will provide both earthly peace and eternal reward beyond their expectations.