Surah Al-Ahzab 33:47
سُورَةُ الأَحۡزَابِ · Medinan · Verse 47 of 73
وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ فَضْلًۭا كَبِيرًۭا
Translation
Give the believers the good news that great bounty awaits them from God.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
Maani AI invites you to reflect on Surah 33, Ayah 47.
This beautiful verse is a direct command from Allah to His Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It instructs him to "give good tidings to the believers," specifically about a profound blessing awaiting them. This isn't just a general statement; it's a call to action for the Prophet, asking him to deliver a specific message of hope and immense generosity from Allah.
The Prophet's Glad Tidings
The opening phrase, وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (And give good tidings to the believers), is more than a simple instruction. As Imam al-Razi points out, this command reinforces the Prophet's role as a *mubashshir*, a bearer of good news, which was previously mentioned as one of his key missions. It underscores Allah's immense generosity, for these tidings are not a duty from Allah, but a pure act of grace and benevolence to His servants. It is an order for the Prophet to actively convey this joyful promise to those who have faith.
What is "A Great Favor"?
The core of the tidings is فَضْلًا كَبِيرًا (a great favor). What exactly is this "favor" or "bounty"? Scholars offer rich insights. Al-Zamakhshari suggests *al-fadl* (favor) can be understood as something *extra* that Allah bestows upon believers, beyond the usual reward (*thawab*) for their deeds. This implies an overflowing generosity that exceeds what one might expect or earn. Ibn Ashur echoes this, explaining that *al-fadl* is a gift that is *added* to the promised recompense for good actions. It's a bonus, a surplus of blessing from the Lord, much like the "increase" mentioned in other Quranic verses (10:26).
The word كَبِيرًا (great) further emphasizes the magnitude of this favor. It means something excellent, of high standing, and immense in its nature. It’s not just a favor, but an extraordinary, unparalleled favor. Imam al-Razi highlights that if the favor *itself* is described as great simply because it comes *from Allah*, imagine the true greatness of what it entails! Scholars like al-Jalalayn and Ibn Ashur, referencing Surah Ash-Shura 42:22, clarify that this "great favor" ultimately refers to the gardens of Paradise, where believers will have everything they desire with their Lord.
From Allah
The phrase مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ (from Allah) is crucial. It firmly anchors the source of this magnificent bounty. This isn't a favor from any worldly power or individual; it's a direct, certain, and immeasurable gift from the Almighty Creator. Knowing that such a great favor originates from Allah Himself elevates its significance, making it the most precious and reliable of promises for the believers.
The verse, through its specific wording, assures believers of Allah's boundless generosity, promising them not just a reward, but an abundant, extraordinary favor directly from Him, culminating in the ultimate joy of Paradise.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Wisdom
Surah Al-Ahzab (33:47) presents a profound and comforting message from Allah. In this verse, Allah addresses Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, commanding him to deliver joyous news:
A Message of Immense Hope
The verse states, "وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ فَضْلًۭا كَبِيرًۭا" (And give glad tidings to the believers, that for them from Allah is a great bounty). Here, the command to "بَشِّرِ" (give glad tidings) is directed at the Prophet, asking him to convey a powerful message of hope to "ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ" (the believers). These believers, as al-Saadi explains, are those whose faith is complete with righteous deeds.
The core of this glad tiding is "فَضْلًۭا كَبِيرًۭا" (a great bounty or immense favor) from Allah. This isn't just any reward, but something vast and immeasurable. Al-Qurtubi and Ibn al-Jawzi clarify that this "great bounty" refers ultimately to Paradise, where believers will have whatever they desire. Al-Saadi expands on this, describing it as a bounty that encompasses victory in this world, spiritual guidance, the forgiveness of sins, relief from distress, abundant provision, and most importantly, gaining Allah's pleasure and salvation from His punishment. This comprehensive promise is designed to invigorate those who strive in faith, helping them remain steadfast on the straight path. The verse was revealed, as al-Munir notes, to reassure believers about their own reward after earlier verses highlighted the Prophet's unique standing.
What "Great Bounty" Means for You
This ayah transcends its original context, offering a timeless principle for every believer: sincere faith and good deeds are met with Allah's boundless generosity. In a world that often values immediate returns and tangible gains, this verse serves as a reminder that the true, lasting reward comes from Allah, and it is far greater than anything we can imagine.
For us today, this verse elicits a deep sense of hope and gratitude. It encourages us to persevere in our acts of worship and kindness, even when challenges arise or results are not immediately apparent. Knowing that Allah has promised such an immense favor should motivate us to prioritize our spiritual journey and trust that our efforts are seen and appreciated by the Most Generous. A practical application is to consciously reflect on this promise during moments of difficulty or doubt, asking Allah for strength to continue striving for His "great bounty" in our daily lives.
Sources: al-Qurtubi (al-Jami li-Ahkam), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Ahzab 33:47 is discussed in 2 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
- Glad Tidings (Bushra) (key verse)
- Prophet Muhammad
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Ahzab 33:47 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.