فَـَٔامَنُوا۟ فَمَتَّعْنَـٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ 148
Translations
And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment [of life] for a time.
Transliteration
Fa-āmanū fa-mattaʿnāhum ilā ḥīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the people of Jonah (Yunus) who believed in his message, and Allah granted them respite and enjoyment of life for a appointed time. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this was a special mercy upon them—unlike other nations who rejected their prophets and were destroyed, the people of Nineveh were spared and allowed to live out their lifespans. The phrase 'to an appointed time' (ilā ḥīn) indicates that while they were granted reprieve and worldly comfort, all life ultimately has a predetermined end according to Allah's decree.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah As-Saffat's discussion of various prophets and their peoples. Specifically, it follows the account of Prophet Jonah (Yunus) and the people of Nineveh. When Jonah preached to them and they believed, Allah accepted their repentance—a unique case in Quranic narrative where an entire nation repented before divine punishment. This surah emphasizes divine justice and mercy in dealing with different communities.
Related Hadiths
The general theme relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) said that when a people repent sincerely, Allah accepts their repentance. Additionally, Surah Yunus (10:98) directly addresses this same incident: 'So why was there not a city that believed so that their faith would have benefited them except the people of Jonah?'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that sincere repentance and belief can turn away divine punishment, and that Allah's mercy encompasses those who return to Him truthfully. It reminds believers that worldly provision and comfort are temporary blessings granted by Allah's will, and should inspire gratitude and continued righteousness throughout one's appointed lifespan.
Related Ayahs
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ صَبَرُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ تَخْرُجَ إِلَيْهِمْ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And if they had been patient until you [could] come out to them, it would have been better for them. But Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَإِذَا جَآءَكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَقُلْ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةَ ۖ أَنَّهُۥ مَنْ عَمِلَ مِنكُمْ سُوٓءًۢا بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَنَّهُۥ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And when those come to you who believe in Our verses, say, "Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself - indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful."
رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفَّـٰرُ
Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver."
إِلَّا مَن ظَلَمَ ثُمَّ بَدَّلَ حُسْنًۢا بَعْدَ سُوٓءٍ فَإِنِّى غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Otherwise, he who wrongs, then substitutes good after evil - indeed, I am Forgiving and Merciful.