وَٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ 22
Translations
And those who are patient, seeking the face [i.e., acceptance] of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good - those will have the good consequence of [this] home -
Transliteration
Wa alladhina sabaru ibtighaa wajhi rabbihim wa aqamoo assalata wa anfaqoo mimma razaqnahum sirran wa allaniyata wa yadraoona bil hasanati assayyiata ulaika lahum uqba ad-dar
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristics of those who will attain the ultimate reward in the Hereafter: they exercise patience seeking Allah's pleasure, establish prayer, spend from their sustenance both secretly and openly, and repel evil with good. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, these verses outline the comprehensive qualities of the righteous—combining internal spiritual devotion (patience and sincere intention), outward acts of worship (prayer and charity), and excellent moral character (responding to harm with virtue). The phrase 'repel evil with good' (yadraoona bil hasanati assayyiata) is understood by classical scholars as addressing harm and aggression with kindness and patience.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Ra'd is a Medinan surah that addresses themes of faith, patience, and divine providence in the face of opposition. This particular ayah appears in a section (verses 19-24) describing the attributes of believers and the contrast between those who obey Allah and those who disobey, providing guidance to the Muslim community during their early struggles in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The strongest among you is the one who controls his anger' (Sunan Ibn Majah and Sunan At-Tirmidhi), directly relating to the theme of repelling evil with good. Additionally, 'Actions are by intentions' (Sahih Bukhari) connects to the opening phrase about patience for seeking Allah's face.
Themes
Key Lesson
True spiritual success requires integrating inner virtue (patience and sincere devotion) with outer actions (prayer and generosity) while maintaining exemplary character even when wronged. This ayah teaches that believers should respond to life's trials and interpersonal conflicts not with retaliation but with kindness, trusting that Allah will grant them the ultimate reward.
Related Ayahs
۞ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِىَ صَبْرًا
[Al-Khiḍr] said, "Did I not tell you that with me you would never be able to have patience?"
فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلْإِبْكَـٰرِ
So be patient, [O Muḥammad]. Indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And ask forgiveness for your sin and exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning.
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allāh?" Unquestionably, the help of Allāh is near.
وَلَمَن صَبَرَ وَغَفَرَ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ
And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.