ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ 13
Translations
Allāh - there is no deity except Him. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
Transliteration
Allahu la ilaha illa huwa wa 'ala Allahi falyatawakkali al-mu'minun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is a foundational declaration of Islamic monotheism (tawhid) followed by an exhortation to place complete trust in Allah alone. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the affirmation 'there is no deity except Him' necessitates absolute reliance upon Allah in all affairs, as He alone possesses complete knowledge, power, and wisdom. Al-Qurtubi notes that tawakkul (trust/reliance) is not passive resignation but active dependence on Allah after taking reasonable means, reflecting the believers' acknowledgment of divine sovereignty.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the conclusion of Surah At-Taghabun, a Medinan surah that addresses themes of deception and loss in worldly matters. The broader context of the surah emphasizes that material losses and family separations should not deter believers from faith, making this ayah a fitting conclusion that directs believers to anchor their confidence in Allah's eternal attributes rather than transient worldly concerns.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'If you rely upon Allah with true reliance, He would provide for you just as He provides for the birds; they go out hungry in the morning and come back with full bellies.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2344). Additionally, 'Trust in Allah, but tie your camel,' emphasizing that tawakkul combines faith with reasonable effort.
Themes
Key Lesson
In an age of anxiety and competing claims for our trust, this ayah reminds believers that true peace comes from directing our complete reliance toward Allah alone, rather than placing ultimate confidence in material resources, institutions, or people. This principle transforms how we approach life's uncertainties, enabling believers to act with courage and wisdom while maintaining inner tranquility rooted in faith.
Related Ayahs
وَلَقَدْ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should associate [anything] with Allāh, your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers.
قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ
[Moses] said, "The Lord of the heavens and earth and that between them, if you should be convinced."
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ فَالِقُ ٱلْحَبِّ وَٱلنَّوَىٰ ۖ يُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَمُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتِ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤْفَكُونَ
Indeed, Allāh is the cleaver of grain and date seeds. He brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living. That is Allāh; so how are you deluded?
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا لِّيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ ۗ فَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلِمُوا۟ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُخْبِتِينَ
And for every [religious] community We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allāh over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. For your god is one God, so to Him submit. And, [O Muḥammad], give good tidings to the humble [before their Lord]