وَمَن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ فَإِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ سَعِيرًا 13
Translations
And whoever has not believed in Allāh and His Messenger - then indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers a Blaze.
Transliteration
Wa man lam yu'min bi-Allahi wa rasulih, fa-inna a'tadna li-l-kafirina sa'ira
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns that whoever does not believe in Allah and His Messenger will face the punishment of Hellfire (sa'ir), which has been prepared for the disbelievers. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse connects faith in both Allah's oneness and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) as inseparable components of belief; rejection of either constitutes disbelief. The severity of the warning underscores the grave consequences of rejecting divine guidance after it has been clearly presented.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Fath was revealed after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH), a pivotal moment when Muslims accepted apparent hardship for strategic peace. This ayah appears in the context of encouraging believers and warning those who hesitate in their faith commitment. It addresses both hypocrites and those who reject the Message outright, reinforcing that sincere belief in Allah and His Messenger is the foundation of salvation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever dies while associating partners with Allah shall enter the Fire,' (Sahih Bukhari 4497). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim states that the Prophet warned: 'None enters Paradise except a Muslim soul,' emphasizing the necessity of true belief.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the seriousness of faith—it is not a casual matter but determines one's eternal destiny. For modern readers, it serves as a profound incentive to strengthen their conviction in Allah and the message of the Quran, while cultivating compassion for those who are astray and a sense of responsibility to convey the message with wisdom and clarity.