يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ تِجَـٰرَةٍ تُنجِيكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ 10
Translations
O you who have believed, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment?
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu hal adullukum ala tijarah tunjeekum min adhaabin aleem
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses the believers with an urgent rhetorical question, offering them a profitable spiritual trade that will save them from painful punishment. This ayah introduces the concept of imaan (faith) and righteous deeds as the greatest transaction, wherein believers exchange their worldly pursuits for eternal salvation. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this 'trade' refers specifically to believing in Allah and His Messenger, coupled with striving in His cause (as detailed in the following ayah), which guarantees protection from Hell's torment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah As-Saf, a Medinan chapter that addresses the Muslim community directly. The surah deals with the importance of consistency between belief and action, and this particular ayah marks a pivotal call to the believers, inviting them to prioritize their spiritual investment over material concerns. The context suggests it was revealed to motivate the early Muslim community toward sincere commitment and jihad fi sabilillah (striving in Allah's cause).
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best wealth is a good wife' and emphasized that faith is the greatest gain. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, there is a hadith where the Prophet describes belief and righteous deeds as the best provision, relating directly to this ayah's metaphor of beneficial trade.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true profit lies not in accumulating worldly wealth, but in investing in one's faith and obedience to Allah. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder to reassess priorities and recognize that spiritual commitment is the most valuable 'business' one can undertake in this life.