Believe in the Revelation and the Hereafter

In this verse, Allah is emphasizing the importance of believing not only in the Quran—the revelation sent to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)—but also in the scriptures revealed before it, such as the Torah given to Prophet Musa (PBUH) and the Gospel given to Prophet Isa (PBUH). This teaches Muslims the value of acknowledging the truths revealed to previous prophets as part of a continuous guidance from Allah. Additionally, a key aspect of a Muslim's faith is possessing certainty in the Hereafter, which is the eternal life after death where one's deeds will be judged. According to Tafsir Ibn Kathir, this verse underlines that true believers are those who accept the entirety of God's guidance sent through different prophets, building a universal understanding of monotheism and divine guidance. The belief in the Hereafter drives Muslims to live righteous lives, as they are aware that their actions in this world will determine their position in the next. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) affirmed the significance of the Hereafter in numerous Hadiths, including one found in Sahih al-Bukhari, where he said, "The first of his deeds, for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound, and if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad" (Sahih Bukhari, Book 10, Hadith 38). By instilling these beliefs, the Quran aims to cultivate a community that understands the continuity of Allah's message through history and the ultimate accountability in the Hereafter. This awareness encourages a life of integrity, responsibility, and continuous striving towards righteousness, knowing that earthly life is but a journey towards a larger, eternal destiny.