ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ 20
Translations
The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allāh with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allāh. And it is those who are the attainers [of success].
Transliteration
Alladhīna āmanū wa-hājarū wa-jāhadū fī sabīli-llāhi bi-amwālihim wa-anfusihim a'ẓamu darajatan 'inda-llāh. Wa-ulā'ika humu-l-fā'izūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the elevated spiritual rank of those who combine faith (īmān), migration (hijrah), and striving in Allah's cause (jihād) by sacrificing both their wealth and lives. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah particularly honors the Muhājirūn (those who migrated from Mecca to Madinah) and those who fought alongside the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), as they embodied all three qualities. The verse concludes that such individuals are the true winners (al-fā'izūn) in this life and the Hereafter, having attained success through complete submission and sacrifice.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah during the period of military expeditions and jihād, this ayah was contextualized by the struggles of early Muslims who left their homes, possessions, and families to establish Islam in Madinah. It specifically honors the Muhājirūn and the Ansār (helpers) who sacrificed materially and physically, distinguishing their merit from those who merely professed faith without action.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people is a believer who strives in the way of Allah with his life and wealth' (Jāmi' at-Tirmidhī). Additionally, 'Whoever emigrates for the sake of Allah will find on earth many resources and abundance' (Sahīh al-Bukhārī 2520).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that sincere faith must be accompanied by concrete action and sacrifice; true devotion to Allah's cause is measured not by words alone but by willingness to give up worldly comforts and security. For modern readers, this teaches that meaningful spiritual achievement requires commitment, effort, and sometimes difficult choices in service of one's values and faith.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَجَـٰهِدُوا۟ مَعَ رَسُولِهِ ٱسْتَـْٔذَنَكَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلطَّوْلِ مِنْهُمْ وَقَالُوا۟ ذَرْنَا نَكُن مَّعَ ٱلْقَـٰعِدِينَ
And when a sūrah was revealed [enjoining them] to believe in Allāh and to fight with His Messenger, those of wealth among them asked your permission [to stay back] and said, "Leave us to be with them who sit [at home]."
لَوْ خَرَجُوا۟ فِيكُم مَّا زَادُوكُمْ إِلَّا خَبَالًا وَلَأَوْضَعُوا۟ خِلَـٰلَكُمْ يَبْغُونَكُمُ ٱلْفِتْنَةَ وَفِيكُمْ سَمَّـٰعُونَ لَهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Had they gone forth with you, they would not have increased you except in confusion, and they would have been active among you, seeking [to cause] you fitnah [i.e., chaos and dissension]. And among you are avid listeners to them. And Allāh is Knowing of the wrongdoers.
لَوْ كَانَ عَرَضًا قَرِيبًا وَسَفَرًا قَاصِدًا لَّٱتَّبَعُوكَ وَلَـٰكِنۢ بَعُدَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلشُّقَّةُ ۚ وَسَيَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَوِ ٱسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَكُمْ يُهْلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
Had it been a near [i.e., easy] gain and a moderate trip, they [i.e., the hypocrites] would have followed you, but distant to them was the journey. And they will swear by Allāh, "If we were able, we would have gone forth with you," destroying themselves [through false oaths], and Allāh knows that indeed they are liars.
فَلَمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦ بَخِلُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَتَوَلَّوا۟ وَّهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
But when He gave them from His bounty, they were stingy with it and turned away while they refused.