وَنَجَّيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ 18
Translations
And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allāh.
Transliteration
Wa najjayna alladhina amanu wa kanu yattaqun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah saves and delivers those who believe and practice taqwa (God-consciousness). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that true belief must be accompanied by righteous action and fear of Allah—mere verbal profession is insufficient. The verse assures believers of divine protection and salvation as a reward for their faith and piety.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Fussilat (a Meccan surah), within a passage describing the Day of Judgment and the fates of believers versus disbelievers. It contextualizes the broader theme of the surah: that the Quran details and explains divine truths, and those who accept and practice upon it will be saved, while those who reject it face destruction.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Taqwa is here' (pointing to the heart) three times (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2409). Additionally, 'The most perfect of believers in faith are the best of them in character' (Sunan Abu Dawud 4682), reflecting the integration of belief and righteous conduct.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers are reminded that salvation is not achieved through faith alone, but through the combination of sincere belief and conscious obedience to Allah's commands. This encourages continuous self-examination and spiritual vigilance, reassuring the faithful that their efforts to maintain piety will result in Allah's protection and ultimate deliverance.
Related Ayahs
وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَـٰهُ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَيَقُولَنَّ هَـٰذَا لِى وَمَآ أَظُنُّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّجِعْتُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّىٓ إِنَّ لِى عِندَهُۥ لَلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ فَلَنُنَبِّئَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ
And if We let him taste mercy from Us after an adversity which has touched him, he will surely say, "This is [due] to me, and I do not think the Hour will occur; and [even] if I should be returned to my Lord, indeed, for me there will be with Him the best." But We will surely inform those who disbelieved about what they did, and We will surely make them taste a massive punishment.
وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ مِن فَوْقِهَا وَبَـٰرَكَ فِيهَا وَقَدَّرَ فِيهَآ أَقْوَٰتَهَا فِىٓ أَرْبَعَةِ أَيَّامٍ سَوَآءً لِّلسَّآئِلِينَ
And He placed on it [i.e., the earth] firmly set mountains over its surface, and He blessed it and determined therein its [creatures'] sustenance in four days without distinction - for [the information of] those who ask.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ فَٱخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ ۗ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍ
And We had already given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement. And if not for a word [i.e., decree] that preceded from your Lord, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Qur’ān], in disquieting doubt.
نُزُلًا مِّنْ غَفُورٍ رَّحِيمٍ
As accommodation from a [Lord who is] Forgiving and Merciful."