وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ لِى فَٱعْتَزِلُونِ 21
Translations
But if you do not believe me, then leave me alone."
Transliteration
Wa-in lam tu'minū lī fa'taʿtazilūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Musa (Moses) declares to Pharaoh and his people: 'If you do not believe in me, then leave me alone.' This ayah represents Musa's patient but firm stance after delivering the message of Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this statement reflects the Prophet's duty to convey the message clearly, while also respecting the free will of those who reject it—he does not force belief but rather separates himself from those who persistently deny the truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Ad-Dukhan, which recounts the story of Musa's confrontation with Pharaoh and his rejection of the divine message. It is part of the broader narrative of how Musa presented clear signs (ayat) to Pharaoh, and this particular statement represents Musa's response after exhausting his efforts to convince them of Allah's oneness.
Related Hadiths
The principle of this ayah aligns with the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'There is no compulsion in religion' (La ikraha fi ad-din), emphasizing that belief cannot be forced and that those who reject the message should be left to their choice.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that after conveying the message of Islam clearly and sincerely, one should not force faith upon others but respect their choice to accept or reject it. It also demonstrates that maintaining dignity and boundaries with those who persistently reject truth is a legitimate response, allowing the believer to preserve their own spiritual wellbeing.