وَرَبَطْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ إِذْ قَامُوا۟ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَن نَّدْعُوَا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَـٰهًا ۖ لَّقَدْ قُلْنَآ إِذًا شَطَطًا 14
Translations
And We bound [i.e., made firm] their hearts when they stood up and said, "Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never will we invoke besides Him any deity. We would have certainly spoken, then, an excessive transgression.
Transliteration
Wa rabbatna 'ala qulubihim idh qamuu faqaalu rabbuna rabbu as-samawati wal-ardi lan nad'uwa min duhih ilahan laqad qulna idhan shataata
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah strengthened the hearts of the young men (Ashab al-Kahf) when they stood up to declare their monotheistic faith, proclaiming that their Lord is the Lord of the heavens and earth, and that they would never call upon any deity besides Him. The phrase 'we would then speak aberration' conveys that to associate partners with Allah would be grave injustice and deviation from truth. Ibn Kathir notes that this ayah emphasizes how Allah fortified their resolve and courage to face persecution from their polytheistic society, making their declaration of tawhid (monotheism) a firm and unwavering commitment despite social pressure.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the story of Ashab al-Kahf (the Companions of the Cave), a Meccan surah narrative revealed to provide the Prophet Muhammad and believers with examples of steadfast faith under persecution. The context describes these young men's courageous stand against idolatry in their community, serving as an inspiration for the early Muslims facing similar trials in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of the 10 persons promised Paradise (Sahih Tirmidhi) relates thematically to steadfast believers who maintain tawhid. Additionally, hadiths on the virtue of standing firm in faith during persecution are relevant, such as those in Sahih Bukhari concerning the believers' trials in Mecca.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that Allah provides spiritual strength to those who sincerely commit to monotheism and are willing to stand against social pressure and persecution for their beliefs. It reminds us that unwavering faith in Allah's oneness and refusal to compromise our religious principles, despite worldly opposition, is a profound act of worship and is supported by Allah's divine aid.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ فَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْعَـٰبِدِينَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "If the Most Merciful had a son, then I would be the first of [his] worshippers."
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ
Recite in the name of your Lord who created
أَلَمْ تَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُۥ ظَـٰهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةً ۗ وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُجَـٰدِلُ فِى ٱللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَلَا هُدًى وَلَا كِتَـٰبٍ مُّنِيرٍ
Do you not see that Allāh has made subject to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and amply bestowed upon you His favors, [both] apparent and unapparent? But of the people is he who disputes about Allāh without knowledge or guidance or an enlightening Book [from Him].
قَالَ لَهُۥ صَاحِبُهُۥ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُۥٓ أَكَفَرْتَ بِٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكَ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰكَ رَجُلًا
His companion said to him while he was conversing with him, "Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust and then from a sperm-drop and then proportioned you [as] a man?