An-Nisa · Madani · ayah 96 of 176

An-Nisa 4:96

دَرَجَـٰتٍ مِّنْهُ وَمَغْفِرَةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

“Degrees [of high position] from Him and forgiveness and mercy. And Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.”

Saheeh International

Essence

The striver's great reward is degrees given from Allah, with forgiveness and mercy beside them, for even the best still need to be covered.

A reflection

Degrees from Him, and forgiveness for the best

This ayah unfolds the 'great reward' just promised to those who strive. Darajātin minhu wa-maghfiratan wa-raḥmah: degrees from Him, and forgiveness, and mercy. Then it closes: wa-kāna Allāhu ghafūran raḥīmā. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.

Notice the small word minhu: from Him. One classical commentator says it marks how vast those degrees are. They are not a ladder the striver built. They are given from above.

Then notice what sits beside the degrees. Forgiveness. These are people who gave their wealth and their very selves. Yet their reward still includes being forgiven. Another commentator says it covers the faults they fall into along the way.

That humbles every achiever's ego. No one climbs high enough to stop needing forgiveness. The best deeds in the world still arrive before Allah with something in them that needs covering.

Picture a retired head teacher at her ninetieth birthday tea. Former pupils have come from three continents. A grandson asks what she would like everyone to pray for. She does not hesitate. Forgiveness, she says. The room is puzzled; she did so much good. She smiles. That is exactly why. I know what went into it.

Does Allah call Himself Forgiving and Merciful because He wants praise? Nothing in the ayah gives Him anything. The names describe what pours out towards us. A spring is not boasting when water flows from it. One classical commentator says He stays merciful to believers even when they go against His command.

The humble striver works as hard as he can. Then he asks to be forgiven for how he worked.

The full entry has 5 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.