دَرَجَـٰتٍ مِّنْهُ وَمَغْفِرَةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا 96
Translations
Degrees [of high position] from Him and forgiveness and mercy. And Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Darajatin minhu wa maghfirah wa rahmah; wa kana Allahu ghafuran rahima
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the discussion on jihad and those who strive in the way of Allah, promising them elevated ranks (degrees) from Allah, along with His forgiveness and mercy. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as referring to the rewards granted to the mujahideen and those who sacrifice in Allah's cause—both in this life through honor and dignity, and in the Hereafter through Paradise. The ayah emphasizes that despite human shortcomings, Allah's attribute as the Ever-Forgiving and Ever-Merciful ensures that sincere believers will receive His mercy alongside their earned ranks.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa's discussion on warfare and the divisions between those who strive in jihad and those who remain behind (verses 95-100). It was revealed in the Medinan period when the Muslim community faced military threats and needed encouragement to defend their faith. The broader context addresses the virtue of the mujahideen and clarifies that Allah rewards those who exert effort in His path.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people are those who strive in the way of Allah with their wealth and their souls' (related to the context of 4:95). Additionally, Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet emphasized that 'whoever dies without having fought or having intended to fight, dies upon a branch of hypocrisy.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that sincere effort and sacrifice in the way of Allah brings tangible spiritual elevation and divine favor in both worlds, while reminding us that Allah's mercy encompasses all sincere believers regardless of their station. It encourages modern Muslims to understand that meaningful contribution to their faith—whether through struggle against evil, moral fortitude, or service to others—elevates one in Allah's sight.
Related Ayahs
لَّعَنَهُ ٱللَّهُ ۘ وَقَالَ لَأَتَّخِذَنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِكَ نَصِيبًا مَّفْرُوضًا
Whom Allāh has cursed. For he had said, "I will surely take from among Your servants a specific portion.
وَإِنِ ٱمْرَأَةٌ خَافَتْ مِنۢ بَعْلِهَا نُشُوزًا أَوْ إِعْرَاضًا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَآ أَن يُصْلِحَا بَيْنَهُمَا صُلْحًا ۚ وَٱلصُّلْحُ خَيْرٌ ۗ وَأُحْضِرَتِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ ٱلشُّحَّ ۚ وَإِن تُحْسِنُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
And if a woman fears from her husband contempt or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them - and settlement is best. And present in [human] souls is stinginess. But if you do good and fear Allāh - then indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.
وَمَن يَكْسِبْ خَطِيٓـَٔةً أَوْ إِثْمًا ثُمَّ يَرْمِ بِهِۦ بَرِيٓـًٔا فَقَدِ ٱحْتَمَلَ بُهْتَـٰنًا وَإِثْمًا مُّبِينًا
But whoever earns an offense or a sin and then blames it on an innocent [person] has taken upon himself a slander and manifest sin.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَظَلَمُوا۟ لَمْ يَكُنِ ٱللَّهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَلَا لِيَهْدِيَهُمْ طَرِيقًا
Indeed, those who disbelieve and commit wrong [or injustice] - never will Allāh forgive them, nor will He guide them to a path,