مَّآ أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَآ أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ۚ وَأَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا 79
Translations
What comes to you of good is from Allāh, but what comes to you of evil, [O man], is from yourself. And We have sent you, [O Muḥammad], to the people as a messenger, and sufficient is Allāh as Witness.
Transliteration
Maa asaabaka min hasanatin famin Allah wa maa asaabaka min sayyiatin famin nafsik wa arsalnaka lil-naasi rasuula wa kafa billahi shahida
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that all good (blessings, benefits) comes from Allah alone, while evil and harm result from one's own actions and shortcomings—emphasizing divine justice and human accountability. Ibn Kathir notes this teaches that we should attribute gratitude to Allah for goodness while reflecting upon ourselves when facing difficulties, not blaming Allah. The ayah concludes by affirming the Prophet's mission to all mankind and that Allah's testimony suffices regarding his prophethood.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina, this ayah appears within the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of justice, rights, and social conduct. It addresses the believers' tendency to attribute misfortune to external forces while providing theological clarity on causation and divine wisdom, helping the Muslim community understand trials and tribulations in light of their faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer' (Sahih Muslim 2664), emphasizing personal responsibility in spiritual development. Additionally, 'No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick of a thorn, but Allah expiates some of his sins for that' (Sahih Bukhari 5641).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should cultivate gratitude and humility by recognizing blessings come from Allah while examining themselves when facing hardships, fostering both spiritual growth and moral development. This ayah empowers us to take responsibility for our actions while maintaining trust in Allah's ultimate wisdom and justice.
Related Ayahs
وَلَئِن مُّتُّمْ أَوْ قُتِلْتُمْ لَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
And whether you die or are killed, unto Allāh you will be gathered.
يَوْمَئِذٍ يُوَفِّيهِمُ ٱللَّهُ دِينَهُمُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ ٱلْمُبِينُ
That Day, Allāh will pay them in full their true [i.e., deserved] recompense, and they will know that it is Allāh who is the manifest Truth [i.e., perfect in justice].
إِنَّهُۥ مَن يَأْتِ رَبَّهُۥ مُجْرِمًا فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ جَهَنَّمَ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحْيَىٰ
Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal - indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live.
تَرَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ وَهُوَ وَاقِعٌۢ بِهِمْ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فِى رَوْضَاتِ ٱلْجَنَّاتِ ۖ لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَضْلُ ٱلْكَبِيرُ
You will see the wrongdoers fearful of what they have earned, and it will [certainly] befall them. And those who have believed and done righteous deeds will be in lush regions of the gardens [in Paradise] having whatever they will in the presence of their Lord. That is what is the great bounty.