Surah Ali 'Imran 3:194
سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ · Medinan · Verse 194 of 200
رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Translation
Our Lord! Bestow upon us all that You have promised us through Your messengers- do not humiliate us on the Day of Resurrection- You never break Your promise.’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
In this profound supplication (du'a), we hear the heartfelt words of those with sound intellect (ulu al-albab), turning to their Creator after reflecting on the wonders of creation. This verse, a direct prayer to Allah, reveals deep spiritual posture through its precise wording.
The Heartfelt Call: "Rabbana"
The prayer begins with رَبَّنَا (Rabbana), meaning "Our Lord." This tender and repeated address to Allah throughout this section of the Surah (mentioned five times in these verses, as Ibn Ashur notes) signifies the intense need and profound humility of the supplicants. It is a direct appeal to the One who nurtures, sustains, and guides, establishing a tone of utter reliance and sincere closeness.
The Grounded Request: "What You Promised Us Through Your Messengers"
The believers ask, "وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ" (wa atina ma wa'adtana ala rusulika), meaning "and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers." The phrase "عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ" (ala rusulika) is particularly rich. Scholars like al-Jalalayn and al-Razi explain it as "on the tongues of Your messengers," meaning the promises delivered through their divine messages. It also carries the sense of promises given "on the condition of belief in Your messengers," as al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi point out. This grounding of the request in Allah's explicit promises, conveyed through His chosen ones, shows that the prayer is not based on wishful thinking but on faith in revealed truth. Ibn Ashur even suggests that "messengers" here could refer specifically to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, as a form of magnification for his role in delivering the message.
The Deepest Fear: "Do Not Disgrace Us"
Immediately following the request for what was promised, they plead, "وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ" (wa la tukhzina yawm al-Qiyamah), which means "and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection." The word تُخْزِنَا (tukhzina) comes from a root indicating humiliation, shame, or abasement. Al-Razi explains that this request is not merely about avoiding physical punishment, but also about averting the profound "spiritual torment" (عذاب روحاني) of extreme regret and shame on the Day of Judgment, when one's true state is revealed. Ibn Ashur emphasizes the public nature of this shame, a "humiliation and abasement in the sight of people," making the request even more poignant. It highlights that the fear of public disgrace and the deep sorrow of failing Allah's expectations are powerful anxieties for the sincere believer.
The Unshakable Trust: "Indeed, You Do Not Break the Promise"
The prayer concludes with the powerful affirmation, "إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ" (innaka la tukhlifu al-mi'ad), meaning "Indeed, You do not break the promise." The particle إِنَّكَ (innaka - indeed You) emphasizes absolute certainty. Why would they ask for something they affirm Allah will not break? Scholars offer beautiful insights. Al-Razi, al-Zamakhshari, and Ibn Ashur explain that this is not a request born of doubt, but an act of profound humility and submission. It is like prophets asking for forgiveness even when they know they are already forgiven; it is an expression of utter dependence and adoration. Al-Razi adds that it is a prayer for divine enablement (tawfiq) to perform the righteous deeds that make them worthy of the promise, and for protection from actions that would lead to disgrace. It is a plea for Allah to ensure they remain among those who are qualified to receive His promised blessings, signifying a deep awareness of human weakness and constant need for Allah's grace.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ali 'Imran 3:194 is discussed in 4 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
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