Surah Al-Maaida 5:98 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah Al-Maaida, Ayah 98
Arabic Text
اعۡلَمُوۡۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِيۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ وَاَنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِيۡمٌؕ
Transliteration
IAAlamoo anna Allaha shadeedu alAAiqabiwaanna Allaha ghafoorun raheem
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
Al-Ma'idah 5:98 establishes the perfect balance between divine justice and mercy, declaring 'Know that Allah is severe in punishment and that Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.' According to classical Islamic scholarship, this verse follows the discussion of sacred symbols and divine laws to remind believers of Allah's dual nature as both the ultimate judge and the source of infinite compassion. The phrase 'shadeed al-iqab' (severe in punishment) emphasizes that Allah's justice is absolute and inescapable for those who persistently disobey and defy His commandments, particularly after receiving clear guidance. The tafsir explains that Allah, who has perfect knowledge of everything in the heavens and earth and is never unaware of human deeds whether public or secret, implements justice with complete wisdom and fairness. However, the verse immediately balances this stern warning with 'ghafoor raheem' (oft-forgiving, most merciful), indicating that Allah's default nature is mercy and forgiveness for those who genuinely repent and seek His pardon. This divine balance serves multiple purposes: it deters transgression while encouraging hope, maintains moral order while providing pathways to redemption, and reflects the perfect wisdom underlying Islamic law. The commentary emphasizes that Allah does not punish instantly for forgetfulness or unintentional errors; instead, the doors of divine forgiveness remain open for those who repent sincerely and feel ashamed of their actions. This verse teaches that the prescribed injunctions of halal (lawful) and haram (unlawful) are based on ideal wisdom and divine consideration - obedience brings blessing while deliberate defiance invites severe consequences. The balance between divine severity and mercy demonstrates that Allah's justice serves to maintain cosmic order and moral accountability, while His mercy provides hope and motivation for human spiritual growth. This teaching encourages believers to fear Allah's justice enough to avoid sin while trusting in His mercy enough to seek forgiveness, creating the perfect psychological and spiritual framework for righteous living and genuine repentance.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Tafsir & Context
Detailed tafsir and context for Surah Al-Maaida Ayah 98 will be available soon.
Verse Wallpapers & Visual Content
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah Al-Maaida Ayah 98
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓Why does Allah mention both severe punishment and forgiveness in the same verse?
This verse establishes the perfect balance between divine justice and mercy. The mention of severe punishment serves as a deterrent against transgression and maintains moral order, while the promise of forgiveness provides hope and encourages repentance. This dual nature reflects Allah's complete wisdom - He is just enough to punish persistent disobedience yet merciful enough to forgive those who sincerely repent.
❓What does 'severe in punishment' (shadeed al-iqab) mean in Islamic context?
The phrase 'shadeed al-iqab' means that Allah's justice is absolute, inescapable, and perfectly measured for those who persistently disobey and defy His commandments after receiving clear guidance. It emphasizes that Allah, who has perfect knowledge of all deeds public and secret, will implement justice with complete wisdom and fairness, particularly for repeat offenders who show no remorse.
❓How does Allah's forgiveness (ghafoor raheem) work according to Islamic teaching?
Allah's forgiveness operates through His attributes of being 'ghafoor' (oft-forgiving) and 'raheem' (most merciful). According to the verse's context, Allah does not punish instantly for forgetfulness or unintentional errors. Instead, the doors of divine forgiveness remain open for those who repent sincerely, feel ashamed of their actions, and seek His pardon with genuine remorse and intention to reform.
❓What is the wisdom behind balancing justice and mercy in Islamic law?
The balance between divine justice and mercy serves multiple purposes: it deters transgression while encouraging hope, maintains cosmic moral order while providing pathways to redemption, and creates the perfect psychological framework for righteous living. This teaches believers to fear Allah's justice enough to avoid sin while trusting in His mercy enough to seek forgiveness when they err.
❓When does Allah show severe punishment versus when He shows mercy?
According to Islamic scholarship, Allah shows severe punishment to those who persistently disobey and defy His commandments after receiving clear guidance, particularly repeat offenders who show no remorse. He shows mercy to those who obey His commands, those who commit sins forgetfully or unintentionally, and especially those who repent sincerely and seek His forgiveness with genuine remorse.
❓How should believers respond to this verse about divine justice and mercy?
Believers should develop a balanced spiritual attitude that includes both reverential fear (taqwa) of Allah's justice and hopeful trust in His mercy. This means striving to obey Allah's commands to avoid punishment while maintaining confidence in His forgiveness when seeking repentance. The verse encourages neither despair nor complacency, but rather conscious righteousness combined with humble reliance on divine mercy.
❓What does this verse teach about the nature of Islamic law and divine wisdom?
This verse teaches that Islamic law (halal and haram rulings) is based on ideal wisdom and divine consideration. Obedience to these laws brings blessing and goodness, while deliberate defiance invites severe consequences. The balance of justice and mercy in the law demonstrates that Allah's commandments serve both to maintain moral order and to guide human spiritual development.
❓How does this verse relate to Allah's perfect knowledge mentioned in the previous verse?
This verse directly follows the mention of Allah's complete knowledge of everything in the heavens and earth. It shows that because Allah has perfect awareness of all human deeds - public and secret - His implementation of justice and mercy is perfectly calibrated. His knowledge ensures that punishment and forgiveness are dispensed with absolute wisdom, fairness, and perfect timing according to each individual's circumstances and intentions.
Translations & Commentary
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