Surah Ash-Sharh 94:7
سُورَةُ الشَّرۡحِ · Meccan · Verse 7 of 8
فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ
Translation
The moment you are freed [of one task] work on,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
In Surah Ad-Duha, Allah reminds the Prophet, peace be upon him, of the tremendous blessings He has bestowed upon him and promises him ease after hardship. This verse, "فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ" (Fa-idhā faraghta fa-nsab), comes as a powerful instruction, guiding the Prophet and by extension all believers, on how to respond to such divine grace.
The Flow of Action
The verse begins with "فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ" (fa-idhā faraghta), meaning "when you finish" or "when you are free." What is particularly striking, as scholar Ibn Ashur points out, is that the verse doesn't specify *what* you should be finished with. This omission is intentional and profound. It implies a general principle: whether you conclude a worldly task, a congregational prayer, a period of struggling in Allah's cause, or any significant responsibility, the instruction applies.
Following this, the command comes: "فَانصَبْ" (fa-nsab). This word means to exert oneself, to strive, to become tired from effort. Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi explain it as "fat'ab" (to make effort, to tire oneself). It's a call to immediate, purposeful action. The "fa" (then) connecting "faraghta" and "fansab" underscores the continuous nature of a believer's life. There is no void of idleness; one task should flow into another.
A Life of Continuous Effort
This verse teaches us a fundamental rhythm of a purposeful life. After finishing one important task, do not fall into idleness, but rather transition immediately into another form of striving, especially in worship and devotion to Allah. Various early scholars offered examples: some said it means to engage in earnest supplication (du'a) after finishing prayer (Ibn Abbas, al-Jalalayn); others said it means to move from worldly affairs to prayer (Mujahid); or from fighting in a battle to engaging in worship (Al-Hasan). The overarching message, as summarized by al-Razi, is to connect different acts of worship and never leave a moment devoid of purpose.
Ibn Ashur notes that this ayah is from the "jawami' al-kalim" (concise, comprehensive words) of the Quran, because it encapsulates so many meanings. It is an invitation to gratitude through action, a reminder that the believer's life is one of ongoing dedication and striving, ever moving from one beneficial engagement to the next. Just as Allah continuously bestows blessings, so too should the believer continuously respond with effort and devotion.
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)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ash-Sharh 94:7 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Ash-Sharh 94:7 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.