وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَمَا ٱسْتَخْلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱرْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِى لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِى شَيْـًٔا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ 55
Translations
Allāh has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient.
Transliteration
Wa'ada Allahu alladhina amanu minkum wa'amilu as-salihat layastakhlifannahum fil-ard kama istakhlafu alladhina min qablihim wa layumakkinan lahum dinnahum alladhir-tada lahum wa layubaddilannah min ba'da khawfihim amnan ya'budunni la yushrikun bi shay'an wa man kafara ba'da dhalika fa-ula'ika hum al-fasiqun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah contains Allah's covenant with the believers that He will grant them authority and leadership on earth, establish their religion, and replace their fear with security—on the condition that they worship Him alone without associating partners. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this verse promises success and dominion to those who combine faith with righteous deeds, while warning that those who reject after receiving this promise are considered transgressors (al-fasiqun). The conditions attached underscore that Allah's promises are not unconditional but depend on the believers' steadfastness in tawhid and obedience.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Nur is a Medinan surah revealed during a period when the Muslim community faced persecution and instability. This ayah is understood in the context of strengthening the believers' resolve by reminding them of Allah's promise of eventual triumph and establishment of Islamic governance, providing hope during times of difficulty and vulnerability.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart' (Sahih Muslim 49). This relates to believers' responsibility in establishing and maintaining the deen promised in this ayah. Also relevant is the hadith in Sunan Abu Dawud about the succession of the prophetic method and caliphate after the Prophet's time.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that success in this life and honor are achieved through genuine faith combined with righteous action, and that the establishment of Islam is a divine promise contingent upon the ummah's commitment to tawhid and moral integrity. For modern readers, it emphasizes that the promotion of Islamic values and community strength requires personal spiritual commitment, not merely passive belief.