Surah An-Nahl 16:127
سُورَةُ النَّحۡلِ · Meccan · Verse 127 of 128
وَٱصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيْقٍۢ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ
Translation
So [Prophet] be steadfast: your steadfastness comes only from God. Do not grieve over them; do not be distressed by their scheming,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This profound verse, addressed directly to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), offers solace and a clear path for resilience in the face of adversity. Approaching it with an open heart allows us to uncover its deep guidance.
A Firm Command for Patience
The verse begins with the direct command: وَٱصْبِرْ (Wa-ṣbir), "And be patient." This isn't just a suggestion, but a firm directive. Ibn Ashur notes that this specific command to the Prophet highlights his elevated status and the immense challenges he faced. It signals that his commitment to patience, despite the severe trials from the disbelievers, was paramount and a source of strength for all believers.
The Divine Source of Strength
Immediately following the command for patience is a powerful declaration: وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ (Wa mā ṣabruka illā billāh), "And your patience is only by Allah." This structure, using "ma... illa," emphasizes exclusivity. It means that the Prophet's (and by extension, our) ability to be patient does not come from his own strength or will alone, but *only* through Allah's help, enabling, and strengthening of the heart. Scholars like al-Jalalayn and al-Razi explain that this refers to Allah's divine facilitation and support, binding one's heart with firmness. Ibn Ashur calls this an interjection, appearing between other commands, which underscores its vital importance as the foundational truth for all patience.
Beyond Sadness and Distress
The verse continues with two prohibitions that address the Prophet's emotional state, a testament to his deep care and humanity: وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ (Wa lā taḥzan ‘alayhim), "And do not grieve over them," and وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيْقٍۢ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ (Wa lā taku fī ḍayqin mimmā yamkurūn), "And do not be in distress from what they plot."
The first phrase, "do not grieve over them," is understood by scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Jalalayn to refer to the disbelievers who rejected the Prophet's call or the martyrs who were harmed, as mentioned in some narrations about the battle of Uhud by al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi. It acknowledges the natural human tendency to feel sadness over the loss or the misguidance of others, but Allah guides the Prophet away from excessive sorrow, reminding him that the ultimate outcome is with Allah.
The second prohibition, وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيْقٍۢ (Wa lā taku fī ḍayqin), "And do not be in distress," uses a shortened form of the verb "takan" (you are), which is common in commands and prohibitions, making the phrasing concise and impactful. The word ضَيْقٍ (ḍayq, with a *fatḥa* on the ḍād, or *ḍīq* with a *kasra* as in Ibn Kathir's reading) literally means "tightness" or "constriction." Al-Razi explains that to be "in ضيق" is a powerful metaphor: it's as if distress is an enveloping garment, surrounding and overwhelming a person. Allah is instructing the Prophet not to let the plotting of his enemies surround and suffocate his spirit. The phrase مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ (mimmā yamkurūn), "from what they plot," uses a verbal noun construction, emphasizing the *continuous and renewed nature* of their scheming, as highlighted by Ibn Ashur. Despite their ongoing plots, Allah commands resilience against emotional constriction.
Through these precise words, Allah not only commands patience but also provides its essential source, and then shields the Prophet's heart from sorrow and the suffocating pressure of enemy schemes. It is a profound lesson in reliance and spiritual fortitude for anyone facing hardship.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Nahl 16:127 is discussed in 9 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah An-Nahl 16:127 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.