“God establishes those who believe with the word which stands firm” was revealed concerning the punishment in the grave. One will be asked who his Lord is and will reply that his Lord is God and his prophet is Muhammad. (Bukhari and Muslim.)1 Quran, xiv, 27.
Tafsir of Surah Ibrahim 14:27
The verse "God establishes those who believe with the word which stands firm" refers to Allah's divine support for believers through the kalimah at-tayyibah (the pure word of faith). This firm word is "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah), which becomes the believer's anchor in both life and death.
Grave Punishment Context
As mentioned in Mishkat al-Masabih 125, this verse particularly relates to the questioning in the grave. When the two angels Munkar and Nakir question the deceased believer about their Lord, religion, and prophet, this firm word of faith enables them to answer correctly: "My Lord is Allah, my religion is Islam, and my prophet is Muhammad."
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical scholars explain that the "firm word" serves as both spiritual sustenance in worldly life and divine protection in the afterlife. Ibn Kathir notes that this establishment occurs through continuous remembrance and practical implementation of tawhid (monotheism). The believer's consistent affirmation of this word during life prepares them for the ultimate test in the grave.
Practical Implications
This teaching emphasizes the importance of internalizing the shahadah beyond mere verbal declaration. Al-Ghazali comments that true establishment requires the word to penetrate the heart, manifest in actions, and reflect in character. The successful response in the grave is the fruit of a life lived in conscious submission to Allah's unity.