وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 191
Translations
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.
Transliteration
Wa-inna rabbaka la-huwa al-'Azīzu ar-Rahīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah is both Al-'Azīz (The Mighty/Invincible) and Ar-Rahīm (The Merciful), emphasizing His perfect balance of power and compassion. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement comes at the conclusion of the surah to reassure believers that despite the mockery of the disbelievers (who are the subject of the preceding verses), Allah possesses the supreme might to punish wrongdoers and the infinite mercy to forgive the repentant. This pairing of attributes is particularly significant as it refutes any notion that Allah's justice contradicts His mercy.
Revelation Context
Surah Ash-Shu'ara was revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad from the Quraysh. The surah contains stories of previous prophets facing rejection and mockery from their people. This concluding ayah serves to strengthen the believers' faith by reminding them that despite the apparent strength of the disbelievers, Allah's power and mercy remain supreme and will ultimately prevail.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'My mercy encompasses all things' (Quran 7:156), which is related in the context of Allah's Rahma. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized that 'Allah is more merciful to His servants than a mother is to her child,' illustrating the practical manifestation of Ar-Rahīm.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers facing opposition or hardship should remember that Allah possesses both the absolute power to protect them and the infinite mercy to guide them toward goodness. This balance of might and compassion should inspire both reverence and hope, encouraging reliance on Allah rather than fear of worldly opposition.