What Is Meant by the “Most Hopeful Verse” in the Quran?

Answered by Shaykh Anas Al-Mousa

Question

What is meant by the “most hopeful verse” in The Quran, and is there such a verse?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The “most hopeful verse” refers to a verse in the Book of Allah (Most High) that signifies His mercy towards His servants. It shows that Allah (Most High) is forgiving and merciful, responding to His hopeful, fearful, and desperate servants – supporting them and instilling hope in their hearts more than any other verse.

There have been differing opinions on which verse is the “most hopeful” in the Book of Allah (Most High). Zarkashi and Suyuti mentioned that there are more than a dozen opinions on this matter. In reality, there may even be more. [Zarkashi, Al-Burhan fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an, 1.446; Suyuti, Al-Itqan fi ‘Ulum al-Quran, 4.149]

Here are some interpretations of the “most hopeful verse” from various Tafsir (Quranic exegesis) books:

• “And ˹surely˺ your Lord will give so much to you that you will be pleased.” [Quran, 93: 5] Here, Allah promises His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) that He will grant him what pleases him. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) will not be satisfied if anyone from his Ummah is in Hellfire. Mohammad bin Ali Al-Baqir said: “We, the Ahlul Bayt, say that the most hopeful verse in the Book of Allah is: ‘And ˹surely˺ your Lord will give so much to you that you will be pleased.’”

And by Allah, He will grant Intercession for the adherents of ‘There is no deity but Allah’ until Allah’s Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) says: ‘My Lord, I am satisfied.’ And you have given me more for my Ummah from my Ummah.” [Wahidi, Al-Tafsir al-Wasit, 4.510; Ghazali, Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din, 4.147; Baghawi, Tafsir al-Baghawi, 8.455; Ibn ‘Atiyya, Al-Muharrar al-Wajiz, 4.173; Qurtubi, Al-Jami’ li Ahkam al-Qur’an, 12.209].

• Some said the most hopeful verse is “Whoever commits evil or wrongs themselves then seeks Allah’s forgiveness will certainly find Allah All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran, 4:110]

It is said that this verse is general for all sins; it is the most hopeful verse in the Quran. This is the opinion of Ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him).

[Al-Maturidi, Tafsir Al-Maturidi (Ta’wilat Ahl al-Sunnah), 10.559; Abu Hafs al-Nasafi, Al-Taysir fi al-Tafsir, 5.188]

• “This is because Allah is the Patron of the believers while the disbelievers have no patron.” [Quran, 47:11]

Imam Al-Qushayri said: “It is correct to say that this is the most hopeful verse in the Quran because Allah Most High says: ‘Allah is the Patron of the believers.’ He did not specify the ascetics, the worshippers, the people of devotion and diligence. Thus, a believer – even if sinful – is among ‘those who have believed.’” [Al-Qushayri, Lata’if al-Isharat, 3.406].

• Allah (Most High) said, “It has indeed been revealed to us that the punishment will be upon whoever denies ˹the truth˺ and turns away.’” [Quran 20:48].

The verse denotes destruction and devastation in this world and eternal damnation in Hell in the Hereafter, for those who denied the Prophets of Allah and turned away, showing indifference to faith. Ibn’ Abbas said: “This is the most hopeful verse for the monotheists because they did not deny the Prophets and did not turn away.” [Al-Wahidi, Al-Tafsir al-Basit, 14.413; Abu Hafs al-Nasafi, Al-Taysir fi al-Tafsir, 10.295; Al-Qurtubi, Al-Jami’ li Ahkam al-Qur’an, 11.204]

• Allah (Most High) said, “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him ˹in worship˺, but forgives anything else of whoever He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah has indeed committed a grave sin.” and “Surely Allah does not forgive associating ˹others˺ with Him ˹in worship˺,1 but forgives anything else of whoever He wills. Indeed, whoever associates ˹others˺ with Allah has clearly gone far astray. [Quran, 4:48,116]

Ibn’ Umar (Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘We used to pronounce judgment on those who committed major sins to remain eternally in the Hellfire, until this verse was revealed, and then we stopped (meaning we refrained from declaring that someone who commits a major sin will remain eternally in the Fire).’ Al-Baghawi said in his interpretation: ‘It was narrated from Ali (Allah be pleased with him) that this verse is the most hopeful verse in the Quran.’ [Al-Sam’ani, Tafsir Abu al-Muzaffar al-Sam’ani, 1.434; Al-Baghawi, Tafsir al-Baghawi, 2.232]

• The phrase “Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful” appears in about twenty verses in various chapters.

Among them:

“But if they cease, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran, 2:192]

“As for those who repent afterwards and mend their ways, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran 3:89]

This saying has been narrated by Abu Uthman al-Nahdi. 

[Sam’ani, Tafsir Abu al-Muzaffar al-Sam’ani, 2.345]

• “Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ ‘O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” [Quran, 39:53]

It is said that this is the most hopeful verse in the Qur’an for the people of monotheism (Tawhid). [Al-‘Iraqi, Tarh al-Tathrib, 3.270; Bursawi, Tafsir Ruh al-Bayan, 8.127]

• “Do not let the people of virtue and affluence among you swear to suspend donations to their relatives, the needy, and the emigrants in the cause of Allah. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love to be forgiven by Allah? And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [An-Nur: 22]

Habban bin Musa said that Abdullah bin Mubarak stated this is the most hopeful verse in the Book of Allah. [Muslim, Sahih Muslim, 2770; Ibn ‘Atiyya, Al-Muharrar al-Wajiz fi Tafsir al-Kitab al-‘Aziz, 4.173; Tha’alabi, Al-Jawahir al-Hisan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an, 4.177]

• “Give good news to the believers that they will have a great bounty from Allah.” [Quran, 33:47]

Allah (Most High) has said in another verse: “…those who believe and do good will be in the lush Gardens of Paradise. They will have whatever they desire from their Lord. That is ˹truly˺ the greatest bounty.” [Quran, 42:22]

Allah Most High explained the great bounty in this verse and gave glad tidings to the believers in the other verse. [Ibn ‘Atiyyah, Al-Muharrar al-Wajiz, 4/173]

• “…Surely your Lord is full of forgiveness for people, despite their wrongdoing…” [Quran, 13:6] Ibn Abbas said that this is the most hopeful verse in the Book of Allah Most High.
• Another verse is “the Forgiver of sin and Accepter of repentance…” [Quran, 40:3]
• “Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘Everyone acts in their own way. But your Lord knows best whose way is rightly guided.’” [Quran, 17:84]

Many others could be described as the most hopeful verse in the Book of Allah Most High. However, we cannot determine the most hopeful verse in the Book of Allah unless there’s a specific text from the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace). Therefore, everyone interprets a verse according to their understanding. When a verse deeply touches their heart, making them feel the mercy of Allah Most High and His favor upon His servants, they consider it the most hopeful verse for them. Allah knows best.

Lastly, from the grace and blessings of Allah (Most High) upon us is that His mercy precedes His wrath. In fact, His mercy encompasses everything and extends to all living beings. Allah says: “But My mercy encompasses everything” [Quran, 7:156]

O Allah, have mercy on us with Your grace. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our leader and Messenger, Muhammad, his family, and companions.