Page 278
wa-lā tashtarū bi-ʿahdi llāhi thamanan qalīlan ʾinnamā ʿinda llāhi huwa khayrun lakum ʾin kuntum taʿlamūna
Do not sell Allah’s covenants for a paltry gain. Indeed, what is with Allah is better for you, should you know.
— Ali Quli Qarai
16An-NaḥlالنحلVerse 95 of 128
The Bee16. An-Naḥlالنحل
Al Naḥl
The Bee
MeccanVerse 95 of 128
Surah An-Nahl – Verse 95
95. “And do not sell Allah’s covenant for a meagre price; for verily that which is with Allah is better for you, if you only know.”
The Occasion of the Revelation
As for the occasion of the revelation of this noble verse and the two consecutive verses, it has been reported that: a man from among the inhabitants of ‘Hadar-Maut’ came up to the Prophet (S) and said:
O’ Messenger of Allah! I have got a neighbour called ’Imra’-ul-Qays who has usurped part of my land.
Summoning ’Imra’-ul-Qays, the Prophet (S) questioned him about the subject and made him go through the process of oath taking when he denied everything. As soon as he stood up to deliver his oath, the Prophet (S), respiting him, reminded him of thinking about the oath at first and then swearing. The two then returned and it was then that the verse was revealed. He warned them against the dire consequences of the wrong and false taking of oaths. When the Prophet (S) recited these two verses for them, ’Imra’-ul-Qays said:
“It is true. I have usurped part of his land though I do not know the exact scale of usurpation. Such being the case, he can have it back, and besides that he may take the equal of it for the use I have made during the period of usurpation.
It was at this time that verse 97 was revealed and gave good tidings of /hay at-i-tayyibah/ (good life) for those whose good acts are coupled with their faith.”
Following the previous verses in connection with the nasty and evil act of breaking one’s promise and of lying by oath, this verse stresses the same subject. The only difference being that the motive for breaking promise and swearing falsely was being threatened as against the majority in terms of numerical matters, while, in here, the issue is the motive of insignificant and scanty material benefits. Therefore, the Holy Qur’an implies that you should not exchange Allah’s covenant for an insignificant price; that is, whatever of pricing you name is unmatched and insignificant in comparison with the worth of one moment in fulfilling the pledges which you have made with Allah even if all the world were to be given to you.
The verse says:
“And do not sell Allah’s covenant for a meagre price…”
To offer further proofs, the Qur’an adds implying that whatever is with Allah, is best for you if you know, that is, if you are aware of the difference between what is right and what is wrong. The verse continues saying:
“…for verily that which is with Allah is better for you, if you only know.”