يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقُولُوا۟ رَٰعِنَا وَقُولُوا۟ ٱنظُرْنَا وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ ۗ وَلِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ 104
Translations
O you who have believed, say not [to Allāh's Messenger], "Rāʿinā" but say, "Unẓurnā" and listen. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la taqulu raʿina wa qulu unzurna waasmaʿu wa lilkafirin ʿadhabun alim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the believers, instructing them to avoid using the word 'raʿina' (which could be interpreted mockingly as 'listen to us' in Hebrew or carry a derogatory meaning) and instead use 'unzurna' (look upon us/be kind to us). The command emphasizes respectful speech when addressing the Prophet Muhammad and following Islamic teachings. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this was a linguistic correction to prevent ambiguity and mockery, with the ayah concluding that disbelievers who deliberately distort meanings and mock the faith will face severe punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina during a period when some Jews and hypocrites were attempting to mock the Prophet and believers through wordplay and linguistic tricks. The Jews in Medina would use the word 'raʿina' (in Hebrew meaning 'our shepherd' or used as an insult), creating confusion and disrespect. This ayah is part of the broader Medinan context addressing social and religious conduct within the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4477) records that Ibn Abbas explained this ayah, noting that the Jews would deliberately use 'raʿina' as a form of mockery. Another related narration in Sahih Muslim discusses how the Prophet corrected inappropriate speech and encouraged respectful communication.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims must be vigilant in maintaining respectful speech and pure intentions, avoiding words that could cause confusion or facilitate mockery of Islam, while also understanding that those who deliberately distort Islamic teachings face divine accountability. This ayah teaches us that ethical communication is essential to faith and that the protection of the Prophet's dignity and Islamic teachings is a collective responsibility.
Related Ayahs
وَلِكُلٍّ وِجْهَةٌ هُوَ مُوَلِّيهَا ۖ فَٱسْتَبِقُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ ۚ أَيْنَ مَا تَكُونُوا۟ يَأْتِ بِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
For each [religious following] is a [prayer] direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allāh will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
رَبَّنَا وَٱبْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
فَأَزَلَّهُمَا ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا ٱهْبِطُوا۟ بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَـٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said, "Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time."
وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا عَرَّضْتُم بِهِۦ مِنْ خِطْبَةِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ أَوْ أَكْنَنتُمْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ سَتَذْكُرُونَهُنَّ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُوَاعِدُوهُنَّ سِرًّا إِلَّآ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا ۚ وَلَا تَعْزِمُوا۟ عُقْدَةَ ٱلنِّكَاحِ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ أَجَلَهُۥ ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ فَٱحْذَرُوهُ ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ
There is no blame upon you for that to which you [indirectly] allude concerning a proposal to women or for what you conceal within yourselves. Allāh knows that you will have them in mind. But do not promise them secretly except for saying a proper saying. And do not determine to undertake a marriage contract until the decreed period reaches its end. And know that Allāh knows what is within yourselves, so beware of Him. And know that Allāh is Forgiving and Forbearing.