وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ 97
Translations
And We already know that your breast is constrained by what they say.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad na'lamu annaka yaḍīqu ṣadruka bimā yaqūlūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah assures the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) that He is fully aware of the grief and distress that fills his heart due to the rejection and mockery of the disbelievers. This ayah acknowledges the emotional burden the Prophet bore while calling people to Islam. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this divine knowledge and acknowledgment serves as a consolation, reminding the Prophet that his suffering is witnessed by Allah and will not go unrewarded.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Hijr, a Meccan chapter revealed during the period of intense persecution of the Prophet and his companions. It addresses the psychological toll of the Meccan opposition, where the Prophet faced ridicule, rejection, and hostility from his own people. The context reflects the difficult early years of the Prophet's mission when support was minimal and resistance was severe.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The most tested people are the Prophets, then those nearest to them in righteousness.' This hadith echoes the theme of the Prophet's emotional struggle reflected in this ayah. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah records that patience in the face of harm from one's people is among the greatest virtues.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Allah witnesses all our hardships and emotional pain, especially when we face rejection for our faith, and that such struggles are never unnoticed by the Divine. It encourages modern believers to persist in their convictions despite social pressure or ridicule, knowing that Allah's awareness and support transcend human understanding.