وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لِرَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَىٰ بَيْنَهُمْ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ 38
Translations
And those who have responded to their Lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend,
Transliteration
Wa-alladhīna astajabu li-rabbihim wa-aqāmū as-salāta wa-amruhum shūrā baynahum wa-mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the qualities of true believers: they respond to their Lord's call, establish prayer, conduct their affairs through mutual consultation (shūrā), and spend from what Allah has provided them. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize that shūrā (consultation) is a foundational principle of Islamic governance and community life, reflecting a balance between obedience to Allah and collective wisdom, while spending (infāq) demonstrates their gratitude and commitment to social responsibility.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shuraa, a Meccan chapter that addresses fundamental Islamic principles and ethics. The broader context of this surah emphasizes the consultation principle as a divine method, with this particular ayah serving as a portrait of the ideal believing community—one that is spiritually committed, democratically engaged, and socially conscious.
Related Hadiths
The principle of shūrā is reflected in the hadith: 'No people deliberate together without Allah sending down wisdom among them' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the hadith about the Prophet's consultation with companions demonstrates the practical application: 'The best of you are those who consult with others' (attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islamic governance and community life require both vertical obedience to Allah and horizontal consultation among people, creating a holistic system where spiritual discipline, collective wisdom, and social generosity work together to build a just society. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes that true faith manifests not only in personal devotion but in inclusive leadership and financial responsibility toward others.
Related Ayahs
فَلِذَٰلِكَ فَٱدْعُ ۖ وَٱسْتَقِمْ كَمَآ أُمِرْتَ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ ۖ وَقُلْ ءَامَنتُ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن كِتَـٰبٍ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَعْدِلَ بَيْنَكُمُ ۖ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ ۖ لَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ ۖ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ ۖ ٱللَّهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
So to that [religion of Allāh] invite, [O Muḥammad], and remain on a right course as you are commanded and do not follow their inclinations but say, "I have believed in what Allāh has revealed of scripture [i.e., the Qur’ān], and I have been commanded to do justice among you. Allāh is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds, and for you your deeds. There is no [need for] argument between us and you. Allāh will bring us together, and to Him is the [final] destination."
وَتَرَىٰهُمْ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا خَـٰشِعِينَ مِنَ ٱلذُّلِّ يَنظُرُونَ مِن طَرْفٍ خَفِىٍّ ۗ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ فِى عَذَابٍ مُّقِيمٍ
And you will see them being exposed to it [i.e., the Fire], humbled from humiliation, looking from [behind] a covert glance. And those who had believed will say, "Indeed, the [true] losers are the ones who lost themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, the wrongdoers are in an enduring punishment."
وَلَمَن صَبَرَ وَغَفَرَ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ
And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِى يُبَشِّرُ ٱللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا ٱلْمَوَدَّةَ فِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ ۗ وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةً نَّزِدْ لَهُۥ فِيهَا حُسْنًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ
It is that of which Allāh gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muḥammad], "I do not ask you for it [i.e., this message] any payment [but] only good will through [i.e., due to] kinship." And whoever commits a good deed - We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Appreciative.