لِّيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ 4
Translations
That He may reward those who believe and do righteous deeds. Those will have forgiveness and noble provision.
Transliteration
Liyajziya alladhina amanu wa amiloo assalihati, ulaika lahum maghfiratun wa rizqun karim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah's purpose in creating the heavens and earth with precise measure is to reward those who believe and perform righteous deeds with forgiveness of sins and generous provision in Paradise. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse demonstrates the divine justice and mercy of Allah—that faith combined with righteous action guarantees both spiritual reward (forgiveness) and material blessings. The connection between belief, action, and reward reflects the Quranic principle that genuine faith must be accompanied by righteous conduct.
Revelation Context
Surah Saba is a Meccan surah that addresses the disbelievers' rejection of the resurrection and divine justice. This ayah appears in a passage refuting those who denied Allah's power and wisdom in creation, emphasizing that the cosmic order (creation of heavens and earth in measure) serves a divine purpose: to reward the faithful and punish the wicked. The context underscores Allah's justice in the hereafter as a logical consequence of His perfect creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should perform good deeds,' (Sahih Bukhari 13). Additionally, '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 3895) emphasizes that belief must manifest in righteous action.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that faith without righteous action is incomplete, and that both are essential for receiving Allah's mercy and provision. For modern readers, it emphasizes that sincere belief in Allah must translate into ethical conduct, community service, and moral integrity to gain both divine forgiveness and a dignified provision in this life and the next.