وَأَنِ ٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ وَٱحْذَرْهُمْ أَن يَفْتِنُوكَ عَنۢ بَعْضِ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُصِيبَهُم بِبَعْضِ ذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَفَـٰسِقُونَ 49
Translations
And judge, [O Muḥammad], between them by what Allāh has revealed and do not follow their inclinations and beware of them, lest they tempt you away from some of what Allāh has revealed to you. And if they turn away - then know that Allāh only intends to afflict them with some of their [own] sins. And indeed, many among the people are defiantly disobedient.
Transliteration
Wa ani ihkum baynahum bima anzala Allahu wa la tattabi' ahwaa'ahum wa ihdharhum an yaftinuka 'an ba'di ma anzala Allahu ilayk. Fa'in tawallaw fa'alam annama yurid Allahu an yuseebahum biba'di dhunubihim. Wa inna katheeran min an-nasi lafasiqun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to judge between people according to what Allah has revealed, rejecting their personal desires and whims, and to be cautious of their attempts to deviate him from Allah's guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this is a directive against compromise with Islamic law and a warning against being swayed by pressure or inducement from those who reject divine revelation. The ayah concludes by stating that if people turn away from Allah's law, their suffering is a consequence of their own sins—a principle of divine justice that applies universally.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ma'idah, revealed in Medina during the later period of the Prophet's mission when he was actively adjudicating disputes among the Muslim community and dealing with resistance from Jews and hypocrites. The surah addresses judicial authority and adherence to revealed law, particularly in a pluralistic society where various groups sought to influence Islamic jurisprudence according to their vested interests.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever judges according to other than what Allah has revealed is among the disbelievers' (Tirmidhi). Also related is the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet emphasized that 'The best of judges is he who judges according to the Book of Allah.'
Themes
Key Lesson
Leaders and judges bear a sacred responsibility to uphold divine law without compromise, regardless of social pressure or personal incentives, knowing that deviation from truth ultimately brings destruction upon those who reject it. Modern readers should reflect on how this principle applies beyond formal courts—in personal integrity, professional ethics, and resisting societal pressures to abandon moral principles.