Surah Al-Baqarah 2:62
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 62 of 286
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّٰبِـِٔينَ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا 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
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.