"Who Are the Mufliḥūn?

Verse: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:5)

Arabic:

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًۭى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ

Transliteration:

Ūlāʾika ʿalā hudan min rabbihim wa-ʾūlāʾika humu l-mufliḥūn

Translation:

"It is they who are upon guidance from their Lord, and it is they who will be successful."

1. Context of the Verse

This verse is the fifth ayah of Surah Al-Baqarah, the longest chapter in the Qur'an. Verses 2–5 form a complete passage describing the characteristics of the righteous believers (al-muttaqūn) — those who truly benefit from the guidance of the Qur'an.

The previous verses highlight their qualities:

Belief in the unseen,

Establishment of prayer,

Spending from what Allah provided,

Belief in divine scriptures (past and present),

Certainty in the Hereafter.

Verse 5 then comes as a divine conclusion and praise, affirming the spiritual position and reward of such people.

2. Linguistic Analysis

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ (Ūlāʾika)

This is a demonstrative pronoun used for emphasis and distinction. It singles out the group described earlier and sets them apart as special, elevated, and honored.

عَلَىٰ هُدًۭى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ (ʿalā hudan min rabbihim)

ʿAlā (على): Literally means upon. It indicates firmness, as if they are standing firmly upon guidance — not loosely following it, but being grounded in it.

Hudan (هُدًى): Guidance, but not just any guidance. It is a clear, divine, purposeful direction that leads to Allah’s pleasure.

Min Rabbihim (مِن رَّبِّهِمْ): "From their Lord." This signifies the source of guidance — it is not man-made, not based on opinion or philosophy, but from the Creator, who knows His creation best.

This phrase together emphasizes that the righteous are not just guided — they are firmly anchored in divine direction sent specifically from their Sustainer.

وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ (wa-ʾūlāʾika humu l-mufliḥūn)

Repetition of Ūlāʾika serves to stress their special rank.

Humu (هُمُ): A pronoun of emphasis — they and they alone are successful.

Al-Mufliḥūn (ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ): Comes from falāḥ, which means true success, prosperity, victory, and safety.

This kind of success:

Cannot be bought

Cannot be faked

Is not only worldly, but eternal

Includes both achieving the goal (Paradise) and being saved from loss (Hellfire)

3. Classical Tafsir Perspective

Ibn Kathir:

He states that this verse is a conclusive praise for the righteous, declaring their state and reward. Their traits mentioned earlier (belief in the unseen, prayer, etc.) are proofs of their sincerity. Therefore, Allah confirms they are:

Upon guidance that is not speculative but certain and divine

Truly successful, both in this life and the next

Al-Tabari:

He emphasizes that being "on guidance" means they are not misguided in any respect. He compares it to someone riding a strong mount on a clear path — stable and confident.

Fakhr al-Din al-Razi:

He notes the structure of repetition ("Ūlāʾika... Ūlāʾika") to emphasize the exclusivity of their success. He also highlights the fact that the Qur’an begins its journey of defining humanity by first praising those who accept its message.

4. Thematic and Spiritual Lessons

🟩 A. Success Is Redefined

In a world where "success" is often measured by wealth, status, or fame, this verse redirects our understanding. The real mufliḥūn are those who:

Live with belief

Act with sincerity

Seek the Hereafter

Are anchored in the guidance of their Lord

🟩 B. Guidance Is a Divine Gift

The verse clearly attributes guidance to Allah alone. While humans are responsible for seeking and accepting it, the ultimate source is divine:

"They are upon guidance from their Lord..."

This humility prevents arrogance and reminds believers to constantly seek guidance through duʿā and righteous action.

🟩 C. Certainty in Faith Is Powerful

The qualities listed earlier, especially yaqīn (certainty) in the unseen and the Hereafter, are not mere beliefs but convictions. The believers are not passive recipients but active carriers of this light.

5. Contemporary Reflections

In times of doubt and confusion, this verse serves as a reassurance. Holding onto faith and prayer is not a burden, but a sign that one is on the path of guidance.

Success as defined by the Qur'an brings peace, purpose, and contentment — something many search for through material means but never truly find.

This verse also affirms that faith is not blind. It is built upon knowledge, action, and certainty — and Allah confirms it by calling it guidance from Himself.

6. Summary

This verse is a powerful, divine endorsement of those who live by the tenets of faith. It affirms:

Their firm connection to divine guidance

Their special status in the sight of Allah

Their ultimate success — not just in worldly terms, but in the eternal sense