Surah Al-A'raf — Verse 87

Word Meanings:

• طَائِفَةٌ (Ta'ifah): A group or party of people.
• آمَنُوا (Amanu): Believed, had faith.
• فَاصْبِرُوا (Fasbiru): Be patient, wait, or await.
• يَحْكُمَ (Yahkuma): He judges, decides, or passes a verdict.
• خَيْرُ الْحَاكِمِينَ (Khayru al-Hakimin): The Best of Judges, the Most Just of all who judge.

Explanation of the Verse:

This noble verse was addressed by Prophet Shu'ayb (peace be upon him) to his people, the people of Madyan, after they had split into two factions regarding his message. Some among them believed in what he was sent with — the Oneness of Allah, worship of Him alone, and the call to justice and fairness in trade — while others rejected and disbelieved.

Shu'ayb (peace be upon him) said to the disbelievers: "If a group among you has believed in what I was sent with, and another group has not believed, then wait patiently — you who deny — until Allah passes His judgment between us." This is not a command to remain upon disbelief, but rather a solemn warning and a declaration of certainty. It means: the matter will not remain unsettled forever. Allah, the All-Wise, will surely decide between the believers and the disbelievers, and His decision is inevitable. He will save the believers and destroy the disbelievers, as His justice demands.

And Allah is the Best of Judges — His judgment is absolute, His wisdom is perfect, and His justice is beyond any flaw. No human judge can compare to Him, for He knows what is hidden and what is manifest, and He never wrongs anyone, not even by the weight of an atom.

A Da'wah Reflection:

This verse carries a profound lesson for every believer: when truth is clear and yet some people choose to reject it, the believer should not despair or lose hope. Instead, he should place his trust in Allah, the Best of Judges, and remain steadfast upon the truth. The outcome is always with Allah — and His judgment is always the most just and the most beautiful.

It also teaches us the etiquette of disagreement: even when facing rejection, the believer speaks with dignity, clarity, and firmness, leaving the final verdict to Allah rather than resorting to anger or despair. This is the character of the prophets — they delivered the message, they clarified the truth, and they entrusted the outcome to Allah alone.

So, dear reader, if you find yourself among those who believe, hold fast to your faith with patience and certainty. And if you are still searching for the truth, know that the door of mercy is open — the same Allah who judges with perfect justice also accepts the repentance of those who turn to Him sincerely. Do not delay, for the judgment of Allah is near, and His mercy is vast.