أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ 5
Translations
Those are on [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.
Transliteration
Ulaa'ika alaa hudan min rabbihim wa ulaa'ika humul muflichoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those who believe in the unseen and establish prayer and spend from what Allah has provided them—they are upon guidance from their Lord and they are the successful ones. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse describes the characteristics of the truly pious believers whose deeds align with their faith, and assures them of divine guidance and ultimate success in both worlds. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that true success (falah) is exclusively reserved for those who combine belief with righteous action.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the opening section of Surah Luqman (a Meccan surah), which describes the qualities of the believers who truly benefit from the Quran. It follows the description of those who heed the divine message and precedes the famous moral teachings of Luqman to his son, establishing the foundation that true guidance and success come from adhering to Islamic principles.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whoever Allah allows to go astray, none can guide' (Sahih Muslim 2653), emphasizing that guidance is from Allah alone.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true worldly and spiritual success is not measured by wealth or status, but by being guided by Allah's wisdom and living according to His commandments. It invites believers to reflect on whether their actions align with their faith, as genuine success comes only through sincere belief paired with consistent righteous deeds.