وَإِن تُكَذِّبُوا۟ فَقَدْ كَذَّبَ أُمَمٌ مِّن قَبْلِكُمْ ۖ وَمَا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ 18
Translations
And if you [people] deny [the message] - already nations before you have denied. And there is not upon the Messenger except [the duty of] clear notification.
Transliteration
Wa-in tukadhdhihu faqad kadhdhaba umamun min qablikum wa-ma 'ala ar-rasuli illa al-balagh al-mubin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah consoles Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by reminding him that rejection of the message is not unprecedented—many nations before rejected their messengers, yet the messenger's duty remains only to convey the message clearly. Ibn Kathir notes this verse emphasizes that the Prophet's responsibility is limited to clear communication of the Qur'an, not to force belief, as guidance is ultimately from Allah alone. Al-Qurtubi highlights that this provides solace during times of persecution and rejection the Prophet faced in Mecca.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet's message. This surah was revealed when the Meccans rejected the Prophet's call, and this particular ayah contextualizes their rejection within the broader pattern of human history where previous nations also denied their messengers. It serves to strengthen the Prophet's resolve and comfort the believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them' (Sahih Bukhari 2652), illustrating how even the best generation faced rejection. Also related: 'There is no messenger whom Allah sent but that some of his people believed and some disbelieved' (Sahih Muslim 152).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers facing opposition or mockery for their faith should remember that rejection of divine messages is not personal failure but a recurring pattern in human history; our responsibility is only to convey the message with clarity and sincerity, while leaving the outcome to Allah's wisdom.
Related Ayahs
أَمْ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَسْبِقُونَا ۚ سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ
Or do those who do evil deeds think they can outrun [i.e., escape] Us? Evil is what they judge.
لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمْ وَلِيَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
So that they will deny what We have granted them, and they will enjoy themselves. But they are going to know.
فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوا۟ ٱقْتُلُوهُ أَوْ حَرِّقُوهُ فَأَنجَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
And the answer of his [i.e., Abraham's] people was not but that they said, "Kill him or burn him," but Allāh saved him from the fire. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Allāh created the heavens and the earth in truth. Indeed in that is a sign for the believers.