وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱهْتَدَوْا۟ زَادَهُمْ هُدًى وَءَاتَىٰهُمْ تَقْوَىٰهُمْ 17
Translations
And those who are guided - He increases them in guidance and gives them their righteousness.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina ihtadaw zādahum hudā wa-ātāhum taqwāhum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that those who are guided (have accepted faith and followed the right path) Allah increases them in guidance and grants them their taqwā (God-consciousness and piety). Ibn Kathir explains that this represents a divine principle where sincere seekers of truth receive continuous spiritual elevation—Allah rewards their initial commitment with deeper understanding and stronger faith. Al-Qurtubi notes that taqwāhum refers to what they need of God-consciousness, indicating that guidance and piety are interconnected blessings that Allah grants to the sincere believers progressively.
Revelation Context
Surah Muhammad is a Medinan chapter revealed during the later Islamic period, addressing the Muslim community's spiritual development. This ayah appears in a section discussing the responses of believers and disbelievers to the message, emphasizing how receptiveness to guidance leads to continuous spiritual advancement—a theme particularly relevant to the established Muslim community in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever sincerely seeks guidance, Allah will guide him' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'The best among you are those with the best character' (Sahih Bukhari) relates to the attainment of taqwā mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that faith is not static but progressive—those who genuinely seek guidance and embrace Islam with sincere hearts will experience continuous spiritual growth. It encourages believers that their commitment to righteousness attracts divine support, and that piety develops through persistent adherence to guidance from Allah.
Related Ayahs
هَـٰذَا بَيَانٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
This [Qur’ān] is a clear statement to [all] the people and a guidance and instruction for those conscious of Allāh.
۞ وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ رُشْدَهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِۦ عَـٰلِمِينَ
And We had certainly given Abraham his sound judgement before, and We were of him well-Knowing
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَىٰهُ لَآ أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰٓ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِىَ حُقُبًا
And [mention] when Moses said to his boy [i.e., servant], "I will not cease [traveling] until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period."
وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَرْضِعِيهِ ۖ فَإِذَا خِفْتِ عَلَيْهِ فَأَلْقِيهِ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِى وَلَا تَحْزَنِىٓ ۖ إِنَّا رَآدُّوهُ إِلَيْكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
And We inspired to the mother of Moses, "Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers."