سُوْرَةُ الْاَحْزَابِ
Surah Al-Ahzaab (33) — Ayah 21
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا ﴿21﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day, and remembers Allâh much.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
لَّقَدْ
laqad
Certainly
كَانَ
kāna
is
لَكُمْ
lakum
for you
فِى
fī
in
رَسُولِ
rasūli
(the) Messenger
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
(of) Allah
أُسْوَةٌ
us'watun
an excellent example
حَسَنَةٌۭ
ḥasanatun
an excellent example
لِّمَن
liman
for (one) who
كَانَ
kāna
has
يَرْجُوا۟
yarjū
hope
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
(in) Allah
وَٱلْيَوْمَ
wal-yawma
and the Day
ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ
l-ākhira
the Last
وَذَكَرَ
wadhakara
and remembers
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
كَثِيرًۭا
kathīran
much
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
21. (O Muslims!) Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah ﷺ you have an excellent example [29] for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day [30] and remembers Allah often.
[29]
The Conduct of the Prophet ﷺ During Battle. He is a Mandatory Example for All Muslims:
The greatest responsibility in war lies upon the commander-in-chief. The commander-in-chief of the Muslims was none other than the Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself. The enemy’s overwhelming numbers, the severe shortage of food, and the gravity of the situation did not cause the slightest wavering in the steadfastness of this Prophet. In every circumstance, he placed his trust in Allah, remained hopeful of Allah’s help, and awaited His assistance. Yet, at the same time, with utmost dedication, he participated alongside you in every task of the battle, shoulder to shoulder with you. O Muslims! Your conduct should be the same, and you should keep the person of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ before you as a model. In terms of the context, this sentence means just that, but this command is general: not only in war, but in every situation, and not only in military commands and strategies, but in every aspect of life, the person of the Messenger should be kept as a model before you. Thus, in this brief sentence, both the obedience and the following of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ have been made obligatory and mandatory upon all Muslims.
[30]
What Kind of People Do Not Follow Him?
At the same time, Allah Almighty has also made it clear that only those people can follow the Messenger who possess three qualities: first, that they have sincere faith in Allah; second, that they also have faith in the Day of Judgment and hope for a good reward for their deeds from Allah; and third, that they remember Allah at all times. In other words, those who do not take the person of the Messenger as a model for themselves, or deviate from any of his sayings or actions, or do not consider his obedience and following as mandatory and obligatory—in reality, neither do they have faith in Allah nor in the Day of Judgment. This verse is a clear and strong proof of the obligation of unconditional obedience and following of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
[29]
The Conduct of the Prophet ﷺ During Battle. He is a Mandatory Example for All Muslims:
The greatest responsibility in war lies upon the commander-in-chief. The commander-in-chief of the Muslims was none other than the Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself. The enemy’s overwhelming numbers, the severe shortage of food, and the gravity of the situation did not cause the slightest wavering in the steadfastness of this Prophet. In every circumstance, he placed his trust in Allah, remained hopeful of Allah’s help, and awaited His assistance. Yet, at the same time, with utmost dedication, he participated alongside you in every task of the battle, shoulder to shoulder with you. O Muslims! Your conduct should be the same, and you should keep the person of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ before you as a model. In terms of the context, this sentence means just that, but this command is general: not only in war, but in every situation, and not only in military commands and strategies, but in every aspect of life, the person of the Messenger should be kept as a model before you. Thus, in this brief sentence, both the obedience and the following of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ have been made obligatory and mandatory upon all Muslims.
[30]
What Kind of People Do Not Follow Him?
At the same time, Allah Almighty has also made it clear that only those people can follow the Messenger who possess three qualities: first, that they have sincere faith in Allah; second, that they also have faith in the Day of Judgment and hope for a good reward for their deeds from Allah; and third, that they remember Allah at all times. In other words, those who do not take the person of the Messenger as a model for themselves, or deviate from any of his sayings or actions, or do not consider his obedience and following as mandatory and obligatory—in reality, neither do they have faith in Allah nor in the Day of Judgment. This verse is a clear and strong proof of the obligation of unconditional obedience and following of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
