فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَمَآ أَنتَ بِمَلُومٍ 54
Translations
So leave them, [O Muḥammad], for you are not to be blamed.
Transliteration
Fatawalla 'anhum fama anta bimaloo m
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to turn away from those who reject the message and refuse to believe, assuring him that he bears no blame for their disbelief. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse provides solace to the Prophet by clarifying that his responsibility is only to convey the message clearly, not to force belief upon people. The verse emphasizes that the Prophet's duty is fulfilled through sincere preaching, and he is not answerable for those who choose to turn away from guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah Adh-Dhariyat, a Meccan surah that addresses the reality of divine signs and humanity's varied responses to them. The surah discusses various categories of people—some who are grateful and remember Allah, and others who turn away—and this particular verse comes as a directive to the Prophet during a period when many Meccans were rejecting his message, offering him psychological and spiritual reassurance.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4770): The Prophet said, 'Whoever calls to guidance, there will be the same reward as those who follow him in the reward, without anything being lessened from their rewards.' This complements the ayah by emphasizing the Prophet's role in conveying truth. Also related is Muslim (1218) regarding the Prophet's patience with those who rejected his message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that while we must sincerely convey truth and goodness to others, we are not responsible for forcing acceptance or controlling outcomes—our duty ends at clear communication, and we should not bear the psychological burden of others' choices to reject guidance.