فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُۥ 7
Translations
So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it,
Transliteration
Faman ya'mal mithqala dharratin khayran yarah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah conveys that whoever performs even the smallest good deed—equivalent in weight to an atom—will see its reward on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this establishes the principle of divine justice and accountability, where no deed is insignificant in Allah's sight. The ayah encourages believers to perform good deeds regardless of their apparent smallness, knowing that Allah's recompense is both certain and all-encompassing.
Revelation Context
Surah Az-Zalzalah was revealed in Medina and describes the events of the Day of Judgment, particularly the earthquake that will shake the earth. This ayah appears in the context of Allah's perfect justice on that Day, assuring believers that their deeds—whether great or small—will be witnessed and rewarded. It forms part of the surah's broader theme of divine accountability and the balance of deeds.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever performs a good deed, even if it is as small as a mustard seed, Allah will bring it forth on the Day of Judgment' (a similar concept to this ayah, supported by various hadith collections). Also related is the hadith: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), emphasizing the value of small consistent good deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no good action is ever wasted or insignificant in the eyes of Allah; even the smallest act of kindness, sincerity, or obedience carries weight and will be rewarded. For modern believers, this is a powerful reminder to perform consistent good deeds with intention, knowing that Allah sees and values every effort, no matter how humble it may appear.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَتَمَتَّعُونَ وَيَأْكُلُونَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمُ وَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَّهُمْ
Indeed, Allāh will admit those who have believed and done righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow, but those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as grazing livestock eat, and the Fire will be a residence for them.
وَمَا يُكَذِّبُ بِهِۦٓ إِلَّا كُلُّ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ
And none deny it except every sinful transgressor.
وَذَرُوا۟ ظَـٰهِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَبَاطِنَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ ٱلْإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَقْتَرِفُونَ
And leave [i.e., desist from] what is apparent of sin and what is concealed thereof. Indeed, those who earn [blame for] sin will be recompensed for that which they used to commit.
أَوَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتِيَهُم بَأْسُنَا ضُحًى وَهُمْ يَلْعَبُونَ
Or did the people of the cities feel secure from Our punishment coming to them in the morning while they were at play?