ٱتَّبِعْ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ 106
Translations
Follow, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you from your Lord - there is no deity except Him - and turn away from those who associate others with Allāh.
Transliteration
Ittabi' maa oohiya ilayka min rabbika laa ilaha illa huwa wa a'rid 'anil mushrikeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to follow the revelation sent to him from Allah and to affirm the absolute oneness of Allah, while turning away from the idolaters and their false beliefs. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this instruction establishes the foundational principle of Islamic monotheism and the obligation to reject polytheism entirely. The command to 'turn away' (a'rid) does not mean abandonment of da'wah, but rather refusing to compromise the message or engage in futile argumentation with those stubbornly committed to shirk.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period when the Prophet faced intense opposition from the Quraysh polytheists. It comes in a section of Surah Al-An'am that repeatedly emphasizes the uniqueness of Allah and the futility of associating partners with Him. The context reflects the early Islamic struggle against pre-Islamic Arabian idolatry, providing guidance to the Prophet on maintaining steadfastness in his mission.
Related Hadiths
The principle relates to hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said, 'The best jihad is a word of justice before a tyrant ruler.' Additionally, Muslim 1218 records the Prophet's emphasis on following revelation without deviation, establishing that adherence to divine guidance is paramount regardless of opposition.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that unwavering adherence to Allah's revelation is the foundation of a strong faith, and that maintaining spiritual integrity sometimes requires distancing oneself from those who reject divine truth. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes the importance of holding firm to Islamic principles without compromise, while exercising wisdom in how we engage with those of different beliefs.