لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لِرَبِّهِمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَهُۥ لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُۥ مَعَهُۥ لَٱفْتَدَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلْحِسَابِ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ 18
Translations
For those who have responded to their Lord is the best [reward], but those who did not respond to Him - if they had all that is in the earth entirely and the like of it with it, they would [attempt to] ransom themselves thereby. Those will have the worst account, and their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place.
Transliteration
Lilladhina istajaboo lirabbihim al-husna wa alladhina lam yastajiboo lahu law anna lahum ma fi al-ardi jameeaan wa mithlahuhu maahu lafftadaw bihi oolaaika lahum soouu al-hisab wa maawaahum jahhannam wa bissa al-mihad
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a stark contrast between two categories of people: those who responded to Allah's call and obey His commands will receive al-husna (the best reward in this life and Paradise in the next), while those who rejected Allah's guidance will face severe punishment. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the ayah emphasizes that even if the rejectors possessed all the wealth on earth and its equivalent, they would ransom themselves with it on the Day of Judgment, but such ransom will not be accepted. Their fate is a bad reckoning and Hell as their abode.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Ra'd is a Medinan surah that addresses the polytheists and those who rejected the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This particular ayah comes in the context of explaining the consequences of accepting or rejecting divine guidance, reinforcing the themes of accountability and divine justice that permeate the surah.
Related Hadiths
The concept is supported by Sahih Muslim (hadith on the Day of Judgment where the disbeliever wishes to ransom himself): 'On the Day of Resurrection, when the disbeliever sees the punishment, he will wish to ransom himself with his children, wealth, and everything dear to him.' Additionally, Surah Al-Imran 3:91 contains a parallel concept about ransom being rejected.
Themes
Key Lesson
Responding positively to Allah's commands with sincere obedience brings goodness in both worlds, while rejection of faith renders all worldly possessions worthless on the Day of Judgment. For believers today, this serves as a reminder that true success lies not in accumulating wealth but in establishing a sincere relationship with the Creator through obedience and faith.