Qur'an 2-5

Qur'an 2:5 is the fifth verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, and it reads:

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًۭى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفْلِحُونَ

Transliteration: Ulā'ika 'alā hudan min rabbihim wa ulā'ika humul muflihūn.

Translation: It is they who are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is they who are the successful.

Explanation:

This verse concludes the description of the muttaqīn (the pious or God-conscious individuals) that was introduced in the previous verses (2:2-4). It emphasizes two key points:

1. "They are upon [right] guidance from their Lord" (أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًۭى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ):

This part of the verse affirms that the muttaqīn (those who are God-conscious and exhibit the qualities mentioned earlier, such as belief in the unseen, regular prayer, charity, belief in previous revelations, and the Hereafter) are the ones who are guided by Allah.
The guidance referred to here is divine guidance, which comes through the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is not just a matter of theoretical knowledge but a practical guidance that shapes their lives, actions, and decisions in accordance with Allah’s will.
The phrase "right guidance" refers to the guidance that leads a person to righteousness, moral clarity, and ultimately to salvation. It is the path that is in harmony with the divine purpose and leads to the true success in both this world and the Hereafter.

2. "And it is they who are the successful" (وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفْلِحُونَ):

The muttaqīn are described as successful (mufliḥūn), which means they are the ones who achieve the ultimate success. In Islam, true success is not measured by material wealth or status, but by being on the right path (guided by Allah) and attaining the eternal rewards of the Hereafter, primarily Paradise.
The term "mufliḥūn" comes from the root "f-l-ḥ", which means to succeed, prosper, or achieve salvation. The success described here is spiritual and eternal, rather than temporal. Those who follow the guidance of Allah and live in accordance with His will are promised ultimate success in the Hereafter.

Theological and Spiritual Significance:

Guidance and Success: This verse ties together two central concepts in Islamic thought: guidance and success. The muttaqīn are not only those who are guided by Allah but also those who will ultimately succeed in their spiritual journey and gain Allah’s pleasure, which is the ultimate success.
Spiritual Success: The verse makes it clear that true success lies in guidance from Allah and the fulfillment of His commands. It is not enough to simply believe in Allah and His messages; success comes through a continuous effort to live according to His guidance, reflected in actions like prayer, charity, and belief in the unseen.
Divine Approval: The verse implies that Allah’s guidance is the key to real success. It is He who grants guidance to those who sincerely seek it, and He who defines what true success is. Those who follow this guidance and act in accordance with the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are rewarded with success in both this life and the next.

Connection to the Previous Verses:

In the preceding verses (2:2-4), we see the qualities of the muttaqīn outlined: their belief in the unseen, regular prayer, charity, belief in the previous scriptures, and the Hereafter. This verse (2:5) then confirms that those who exhibit these qualities are the ones who have found the true guidance from Allah, and it is they who will succeed.
The verse also implicitly contrasts the muttaqīn with those who do not follow the divine guidance. The implication is that those who do not follow Allah’s guidance will fail to achieve true success.

Summary:

Qur'an 2:5 highlights that those who possess the qualities of the muttaqīn — those who are faithful, prayerful, charitable, and have belief in the unseen, the revealed scriptures, and the Hereafter — are the ones who are rightly guided by Allah and are ultimately successful. This success is not merely worldly, but is eternal, culminating in the reward of Paradise.