Surah Al-Baqarah 2:62
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 62 of 286
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Translation
The [Muslim] believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabians- all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good- will have their rewards with their Lord. No fear for them, nor will they grieve.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This beautiful verse acts as a profound interjection amidst the discussion of the Children of Israel's past transgressions, offering a message of hope and divine justice. As Ibn Ashur notes, its placement here is a subtle act of mercy, opening a door to all who seek salvation after previous verses described anger and punishment. The opening particle, "إنّ" (Inna), meaning "indeed" or "surely," emphasizes the certainty and importance of the truth revealed in this statement.
Diverse Paths, One Criterion
Allah addresses several groups: "ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟" (those who believed), "ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟" (those who are Jews), "وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰ" (and the Christians), and "وَٱلصَّٰبِـِٔينَ" (and the Sābi'īn).
"ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟" refers to the Muslims, those who sincerely believed in Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. They are mentioned first, highlighting their status as a guide and example, as Ibn Ashur points out.
The term "ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟" (those who are Jews) is chosen over simply "the Jews" (al-Yahūd) to allude to their historical lineage from the tribe of Judah or their repentance, as per various scholarly views mentioned by Ibn Ashur and al-Razi. It signifies their adherence to the religion of the Torah.
"وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰ" (and the Christians) are so named, according to scholars like Ibn Ashur, due to their association with Nazareth, the hometown of Mary, mother of Jesus, or for having "helped" or supported Jesus (al-Zamakhshari, al-Razi).
The "وَٱلصَّابِـِٔينَ" (and the Sābi'īn) are a distinct group, whose name comes from "ṣabaʾa," meaning to turn away or emerge from one religion to another, as al-Razi and Ibn Ashur explain. Ibn Ashur provides extensive detail on their historical presence in Iraq, their belief in one God, their worship of celestial bodies as intermediaries, and their practice of purification and good deeds. Their inclusion demonstrates the Quran's comprehensive address to different existing faith traditions.
The Universal Condition for Salvation
The verse then establishes a singular, overarching criterion for salvation that applies to all these groups: "مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا" (whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does righteous deeds). The word "مَنْ" (man, "whoever") here functions as a conditional statement, encompassing all who fulfill these conditions.
Ibn Ashur clarifies a crucial point regarding the phrase "من آمن بالله" (whoever believes in Allah). After the advent of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, "complete faith" (الإيمان الكامل) necessarily includes believing in his message and following Islam. This means that for anyone alive after his prophecy, true belief in Allah and the Last Day requires accepting him as the final Prophet. The ayah, therefore, ensures justice for those righteous individuals from earlier communities who died before Islam's revelation, while also guiding those in the Prophet's time and thereafter to the path of truth.
The Everlasting Reward
For those who meet this criterion, the promise is clear: "فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ" (their reward is with their Lord, and no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve).
The phrase "عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ" (with their Lord) is not a physical location but a powerful expression of certainty, honor, and care, signifying that their reward is secured and guaranteed by the Most Generous Lord (Ibn Ashur, al-Razi).
The negation of "خَوْفٌ" (fear) and "يَحْزَنُونَ" (sorrow/grief) is a profound promise. Ibn Ashur notes the contrast with the fear and humiliation mentioned in previous verses. The wording "لا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ" uses a nominal sentence, implying a permanent, enduring absence of fear, while "وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ" uses a verbal sentence, emphasizing their absolute freedom from grief in the afterlife (Ibn Ashur, al-Razi). This means they will have complete peace and security, untouched by any future dread or regret over past worldly matters.
This verse, through its precise wording and contextual placement, highlights Allah's universal justice and mercy. It affirms that true faith and righteous deeds are the timeless keys to salvation, culminating in a state of eternal peace and joy in Allah's presence.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn
Worldly Mirror
This verse from Surah Al-Baqarah offers a profound reflection on the true essence of faith and divine justice, transcending mere labels and affiliations. Allah Himself is speaking here, addressing humanity with a timeless principle of salvation. The immediate situation is one of clarifying the criteria for ultimate success, offering both hope and a reminder of individual responsibility.
The True Measure
Allah states, "Indeed, those who believed, and those who were Jews, and Christians, and Sabians – whoever believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness – they will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve." (2:62) This ayah identifies several groups: "those who believed" (meaning the Muslims), "those who were Jews," "Christians," and "Sabians." The Sabians, as explained by Sayyid Qutb, were people who, before the Prophet Muhammad's advent, rejected their society's inherited idolatry and sought the truth of monotheism through their own reflection.
The core message is that salvation is not tied to a specific communal identity alone. Instead, it hinges on three fundamental pillars: sincere belief in Allah, belief in the Last Day, and the performance of righteous deeds. These are the elements that bring "their reward with their Lord," and free them from "fear" for the future and "grief" over the past.
Beyond Group Identity
This verse serves as a "worldly mirror," reflecting deeply on our communal and personal perceptions of faith. As Dr. Israr Ahmad and Tazkirul Quran highlight, it's a powerful reminder that merely belonging to a group, whether Muslim, Jewish, Christian, or Sabian, does not automatically guarantee divine favor. Allah has no special, exclusive relationship with any single group based on lineage or name. The emphasis is on one's individual character, on how sincerely one has aligned their thoughts and actions with God's will. It challenges us to look beyond tribalism and recognize the universal criteria for success in the afterlife.
Faith Across Time
However, understanding this verse fully requires appreciating the context of "time." Scholars like Dr. Israr Ahmad explain that the phrase "whoever believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness" implicitly means *in their respective eras*. This means that before Prophet Muhammad's advent, those who followed the true teachings of their prophets (like Musa or Isa, peace be upon them), believed in Allah and the Last Day, and performed good deeds, would find salvation. But after Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent as the final Prophet to all of humanity, belief in his message becomes an essential part of "belief in Allah and the Last Day" for everyone. Therefore, this verse isn't an invitation to disregard the final message of Islam, but rather a declaration of divine justice for all who genuinely sought and followed truth in their time.
A Call to the Heart
The Worldly Mirror lens encourages us to turn this reflection inward. It’s a spiritual diagnosis, inviting us to sincerely ask: Am I truly building my life upon sincere faith in Allah and the Last Day, combined with righteous actions? Or am I resting on the comfort of a label or inherited identity? This ayah inspires hope for anyone who lives with integrity and devotion to God, while also cautioning against the complacency of assuming salvation based on mere affiliation. It calls for humility, openness, and a constant striving to be reshaped by divine truth, ensuring our hearts are aligned with the principles that truly matter to Allah.
Sources: al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Tazkirul Quran, Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)
Connections
In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah often speaks to us about the Children of Israel. After recounting their history of blessings, disobedience, and the various consequences they faced, a profoundly hopeful and universal verse emerges: Surah 2, Verse 62.
This verse speaks to all who genuinely believe: the followers of Prophet Muhammad, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabians. It lays down a foundational principle: anyone among these groups who truly believes in Allah and the Last Day, and performs righteous deeds, will find their reward secured with their Lord, free from fear and grief. It's important to understand this promise in its context: it applied to those who lived before the prophethood of Muhammad, peace be upon him, and to all who embrace Islam after his advent.
Connecting to Previous Narratives
When we look at the verses leading up to this one, we find detailed accounts of the Children of Israel's repeated acts of ingratitude, rebellion, and the punishments that followed, such as the "disgrace and wretchedness" (الذلة والمسكنة) mentioned just before. As al-Sabuni notes, this verse acts as a powerful *contrast* to those tales of disobedience. It shifts our focus from their specific failings to a broader, universal statement of divine justice.
Al-Biqa'i observes that placing this verse amidst their stories corrects a potential misconception. Given that some earlier scriptures contained commands for the Children of Israel to deal harshly with other nations, one might mistakenly assume salvation was exclusive to them. This ayah clarifies that the true path to Allah's reward is through genuine faith and righteous deeds, not mere lineage or affiliation. Indeed, al-Wasit (Tantawi) highlights that this verse serves as a reminder that "no nation has superiority over another except through" sincere faith and righteous action.
The Universal Promise
The core of this promise lies in three conditions: sincere belief in Allah, conviction in the Last Day, and performing "righteous deeds" (عمل صالحا). Al-Wasit explains that for the believers of Prophet Muhammad's time, this means firm adherence to his message. For those before him, it meant following the true essence of their own prophet's teaching, without distinction between messengers, and striving for sincerity in intention and utmost effort in their actions, as al-Biqa'i emphasizes.
The reward promised is "their wage with their Lord" (أجرهم عند ربهم) – an assurance that their efforts are recognized and preserved. This reward guarantees "no fear upon them, nor will they grieve" (ولا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون), meaning security from the terrors of the Hereafter and freedom from sorrow over worldly losses.
An Enduring Principle
This verse doesn't just offer hope; it establishes a fundamental Quranic norm. As al-Wasit highlights, it underscores that true success with Allah is measured by sincere faith and righteous actions, not by ethnic or national identity. The ultimate connection is not to a specific group, but to these universal principles. This principle is made even clearer by the Prophet Muhammad's statement, cited by al-Wasit, that "If Musa were alive, he would have no option but to follow me." This beautifully ties the past and present, confirming that while all previous prophets delivered a message of monotheism and righteous living, Prophet Muhammad's message is the culminating and universal path for all humanity, abrogating prior laws.
Sources: al-Wasit (Tantawi), al-Biqa'i (Nazm al-Durar), al-Sabuni (Safwat al-Tafasir)
Wisdom
Surah al-Baqarah, verse 62, offers a profound and comforting principle, especially coming after Allah's account of the transgressions of some Israelites. This verse broadens our perspective, reminding us that Allah's justice and mercy are universal, not limited to one group. It is a timeless lesson about what truly matters for salvation and peace.
The Foundation of Reward
The verse states: "Indeed, those who believed and those who became Jews and the Christians and the Sabeans, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does righteous deeds, will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve."
Allah addresses various groups: the believers (Muslims), Jews, Christians, and Sabeans. The powerful core message, however, applies to *all* of them: "مَنْ آمَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا" (whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does righteous deeds). This establishes a fundamental, unchanging principle for winning Allah's favor. As al-Munir highlights, the basis of victory and salvation is correct faith coupled with righteous deeds. This principle promises those who fulfill these conditions their just reward with Allah, freedom from fear, and relief from sorrow.
True Faith in Every Era
While the verse mentions various religious communities, it's crucial to understand its application within the timeline of divine revelation. Mufti Shafi explains that this verse serves as a general principle, ensuring that no matter one's past, genuine submission to Allah's commandments, in belief and action, makes one acceptable to Him. However, after the advent of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the revelation of the Quran, "perfect obedience to Allah can only mean accepting Islam and following the Last Prophet Muhammad." Therefore, this verse acts as an invitation to all people to embrace Islam, clarifying that true salvation now requires believing in the Prophet and the complete message he brought.
Beyond Two Pillars
The verse specifically mentions belief in Allah and the Last Day. Mufti Shafi points out that this does not mean these are the *only* articles of faith required for salvation. Rather, they represent the foundational and ultimate points of belief. To truly believe in Allah requires acknowledging His messengers, His books, and His angels, as it's through them that we gain knowledge of Him and the Day of Judgment. Similarly, believing in the Last Day necessitates understanding resurrection and accountability, which are taught through prophecy. Thus, the verse implicitly calls for a comprehensive faith, from its beginning (Allah) to its end (the Last Day), encompassing all that lies between.
A Promise of Peace
The profound promise of "وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ" (no fear upon them, nor will they grieve) is a core takeaway. It means that those who truly embody this faith and righteous living will be secure in the afterlife, free from the terror of judgment, and untroubled by any worldly losses. This assurance provides immense motivation for believers to rectify their beliefs and actions, knowing that Allah's mercy and reward await those who sincerely turn to Him. It reassures new converts that their past transgressions are forgiven upon embracing Islam, making them worthy of divine reward.
The message of this ayah is ultimately one of hope and justice. It outlines a clear, timeless path to God's pleasure: sincere faith in Him and the Hereafter, expressed through righteous deeds, as fully understood and practiced through His final revelation, Islam.
Sources: Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Qurtubi (al-Jami li-Ahkam)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:62 is discussed in 6 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Baqarah 2:62 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.