فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ ءَاذَنتُكُمْ عَلَىٰ سَوَآءٍ ۖ وَإِنْ أَدْرِىٓ أَقَرِيبٌ أَم بَعِيدٌ مَّا تُوعَدُونَ 109
Translations
But if they turn away, then say, "I have announced to [all of] you equally. And I know not whether near or far is that which you are promised.
Transliteration
Fa-in tawallaw fa-qul adhantukum 'ala sawa-in wa-in adri aqareeb am ba'eed mma tu'wadun
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is instructed that if the disbelievers turn away from his message, he should inform them that he has warned them all equally and fairly, and that he does not know whether the promised punishment is near or far. This ayah emphasizes the Prophet's role as a clear warner who has fulfilled his obligation, and acknowledges that the knowledge of the unseen (the timing of divine punishment) belongs only to Allah. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this reflects the Prophet's humble submission to Allah's will regarding matters of the future.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the end of Surah Al-Anbiya', which discusses various prophets and divine warnings throughout history. The context is the Meccan period when the Prophet faced rejection and mockery from the Quraysh. The ayah provides consolation and guidance on how to respond when people reject the message—with equanimity and reminder that ultimate knowledge and timing rest with Allah alone.
Related Hadiths
The principle relates to Surah Al-Ahzab 33:45-46 where the Prophet is described as 'a warner,' and to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said, 'I have been sent as a warner,' emphasizing that his duty is to convey clearly, not to guarantee acceptance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that their fundamental duty is to communicate truth clearly and fairly, just as the Prophet did, while accepting that outcomes and timing are in Allah's hands. This teaches patience and detachment from results when spreading faith, focusing instead on sincere effort and reliance on the Divine.
Related Ayahs
لَوْ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نَّتَّخِذَ لَهْوًا لَّٱتَّخَذْنَـٰهُ مِن لَّدُنَّآ إِن كُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ
Had We intended to take a diversion, We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were to do so.
وَأَدْخَلْنَـٰهُمْ فِى رَحْمَتِنَآ ۖ إِنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous.
قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا۠ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
He said, "[No], rather, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them, and I, to that, am of those who testify.
وَإِذَا رَءَاكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ إِلَّا هُزُوًا أَهَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَذْكُرُ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ وَهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ هُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ
And when those who disbelieve see you, [O Muḥammad], they take you not except in ridicule, [saying], "Is this the one who mentions [i.e., insults] your gods?" And they are, at the mention of the Most Merciful, disbelievers.