Surah Ash-Shura — Verse 23

Word Meanings:

• Al-Mawaddah (الْمَوَدَّةَ): Affection, love, and warmth.
• Al-Qurbā (الْقُرْبَى): Kinship, near relatives, or close ties of relationship.
• Yaqtarif (يَقْتَرِفْ): To earn, acquire, or commit (in this context, to do a good deed).
• Shakūr (شَكُور): The Most Appreciative — He who multiplies rewards and gives abundant thanks for even the smallest good.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This verse is a glorious announcement from Allah, the Most Merciful, to His believing servants. After describing the magnificent rewards and eternal bliss prepared for the righteous in Paradise, Allah says: "That is what Allah gives glad tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds." This is the ultimate good news — that faith coupled with good actions leads to a life of everlasting joy and divine pleasure. The believers are not left without hope; rather, they are promised a reward beyond imagination, a reward that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has ever conceived.

Then, Allah instructs His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to address those who doubted him, especially the polytheists of Quraysh: "Say: I do not ask you for it any payment — except the affection due to kinship." The Prophet (peace be upon him) conveyed the message of Islam purely for the sake of Allah, seeking no worldly compensation, no wealth, no status, and no favor. The only "payment" he requested was that people show love and kindness to him due to the bonds of kinship that existed between him and his people. This was not a personal request for his own benefit — rather, it was a gentle invitation to soften their hearts, to open a door of connection, and to remind them that the message he brought was rooted in compassion and care for their well-being. Some scholars also interpret this as a call to love the Prophet's family (Ahl al-Bayt) and to honor them, which is a duty upon every Muslim.

Finally, Allah opens the door of hope and encouragement: "And whoever earns a good deed, We will increase for him goodness therein." This means that every single good action — no matter how small — is multiplied by Allah, sometimes ten times, sometimes seven hundred times, and even more, up to an infinite measure by His boundless grace. A smile, a kind word, a charitable act, a prayer, a moment of patience — all are recorded and magnified. And then Allah concludes with two of His beautiful names: "Indeed, Allah is Ghafūr (Oft-Forgiving) and Shakūr (Most Appreciative)." He forgives sins for those who repent, and He appreciates and rewards even the tiniest acts of goodness. He does not let any good deed go to waste, nor does He turn away any sincere heart.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear reader, this verse carries a profound message of hope and love. Allah is not a distant, harsh judge; He is a loving Lord who sends glad tidings to His servants, who multiplies their good deeds, and who forgives their shortcomings. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked nothing from humanity except love and connection — so how can we not respond to such a noble call? Let us embrace this beautiful faith, let us love the Prophet and his family, and let us race toward good deeds, knowing that every step we take toward Allah is met with His appreciation and mercy. The door of forgiveness is wide open, and the reward is beyond measure. So why wait? Take that first step today, and let Allah's glad tidings fill your heart with peace and certainty.