Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62:3
سُورَةُ الجُمُعَةِ · Medinan · Verse 3 of 11
وَءَاخَرِينَ مِنْهُمْ لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا۟ بِهِمْ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Translation
to them and others yet to join them. He is the Almighty, the Wise:
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
In this profound verse, Allah extends the reach of His Messenger's mission, revealing the expansive nature of His divine plan through precise and powerful words.
The Universal Reach
The verse begins with وَءَاخَرِينَ مِنْهُمْ (wa ākharīna minhum), meaning "and others among them." This phrase immediately broadens the scope from the initial group of illiterate Arabs mentioned in the previous verse. Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi explain that these "others" include those who would come after the Prophet's Companions, reaching all who embrace Islam until the Day of Judgment. Ibn Ashur notes that the wording implies a prophetic miracle, foretelling the spread of Islam to various non-Arab nations like the Persians, Romans, Turks, and Chinese, encompassing all who would join the fold.
"Not Yet Joined"
The core of this broadening is in the phrase لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ (lammā yalḥaqū bihim), "who have not yet joined them." The word لَمَّا (lamma) is crucial here. As Ibn Ashur points out, in Arabic, when لَمَّا is used for negation, it carries the strong implication that the action *is expected to happen* in the future. It’s not simply "they have not joined," but rather "they have not *yet* joined, but they *will*." This isn't just a statement of fact; it's a divine promise, full of certainty and anticipation for the future growth of the Muslim community. The joining itself signifies not merely physical presence but spiritual connection and adherence to the faith.
The word مِنْهُمْ (minhum), "among them," also invites reflection. Ibn Ashur suggests it indicates that these "others" will eventually connect with the initial believers and become part of their greater community. It subtly hints at the unity of the global Muslim Ummah, transcending origins and generations.
Allah's Power and Wisdom
The verse concludes with وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ (wa Huwa al-'Azīzu al-Hakīm), "And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." This powerful ending serves as a divine seal, affirming that this vast, universal mission and its expansion are by Allah's absolute power and perfect wisdom. Al-Zamakhshari notes that it highlights Allah's ability to empower an illiterate Messenger with such an immense task and ensure its global reach. Ibn Ashur beautifully describes this as a "tadhyil" (concluding statement) to express wonder at Allah's plan for the propagation of this religion across all nations, a plan that nothing can overcome because He is al-Aziz (the All-Mighty), and one enacted with precise order because He is al-Hakim (the All-Wise).
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62:3 is discussed in one study guide on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62:3 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.