(195) “Their Lord answered them: ‘I will never allow the work of any worker among you to be lost, whether male or female; you are of one another. As for those who emigrated, were driven from their homes, suffered harm in My cause, fought, and were killed, I will surely efface their evil deeds and admit them into gardens beneath which rivers flow—a reward from Allah. And with Allah is the finest reward.’”

That is, Allah answered their supplication—both their supplication through worship and their supplication of request—and said: “I will never allow the work of any worker among you to be lost, whether male or female.” All will receive the reward for their deeds in full, without diminution. “You are of one another,” meaning that you are all equal in reward and punishment.

“As for those who emigrated, were driven from their homes, suffered harm in My cause, fought, and were killed”—they combined faith and emigration, leaving behind the homelands and wealth they loved in pursuit of their Lord’s pleasure, and they strove in the cause of Allah.

“I will surely efface their evil deeds and admit them into gardens beneath which rivers flow—a reward from Allah,” who grants His servant an abundant reward for a small deed.

“And with Allah is the finest reward”—that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and which has never occurred to any human heart. Whoever desires it should seek it from Allah by obeying Him and drawing near to Him through whatever the servant is able to do.