وَلَوْلَآ أَن ثَبَّتْنَـٰكَ لَقَدْ كِدتَّ تَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهِمْ شَيْـًٔا قَلِيلًا 74
Translations
And if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little.
Transliteration
Wa lawlā an thabbatnāka laqad kidta tarkanu ilayhim shay'an qalīlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), stating that had Allah not strengthened and firmly established him, he would have nearly inclined toward the polytheists in some small matter. The classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to pressure from the Quraysh to compromise on Islamic principles, whether regarding the message itself or practices. This verse emphasizes divine protection and steadfastness as a gift from Allah, not a result of human effort alone, while simultaneously highlighting the Prophet's unwavering commitment to truth despite external pressures.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan surah revealed during a period of intense persecution against the Prophet and early Muslims. The specific context relates to the Quraysh's attempts to negotiate with the Prophet, offering him wealth, power, and compromise on monotheism. The verse reassures the Prophet of Allah's protection while acknowledging the reality of human weakness without divine support.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3392) where the Prophet mentioned the Quraysh's attempts to make him compromise is thematically related. Additionally, the hadith in Muslim (1844) about the importance of steadfastness in faith relates to the concept of thabbit (firmness) mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that remaining firm on Islamic principles despite worldly pressures is a divine blessing requiring continuous reliance on Allah. It reminds believers that human resolve alone is insufficient without Allah's support, encouraging constant supplication for firmness in faith and protection from spiritual compromise.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَآ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَـٰنِ أَعْرَضَ وَنَـَٔا بِجَانِبِهِۦ ۖ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ كَانَ يَـُٔوسًا
And when We bestow favor upon man [i.e., the disbeliever], he turns away and distances himself; and when evil touches him, he is ever despairing.
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّى ٱلْقَتْلِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورًا
And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which Allāh has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].
قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنَ ۖ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوا۟ فَلَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَٱبْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا
Say, "Call upon Allāh or call upon the Most Merciful [ar-Raḥmān]. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names." And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way.
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ يَهْدِى لِلَّتِى هِىَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا
Indeed, this Qur’ān guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward