Al-Ma'idah · Ayah 67

۞ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ 67

Translations

O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allāh will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allāh does not guide the disbelieving people.

Transliteration

Ya ayyuha ar-rasulu balligh ma unzila ilayka min rabbika wa-in lam taf'al fama ballahta risalatahu wa-allahu ya'simuka mina an-nas inna allaha la yahdee al-qawma al-kafirin

Tafsir (Explanation)

Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad to convey the complete message revealed to him from his Lord, emphasizing that failure to do so would mean he has not truly fulfilled his prophetic mission. The ayah assures the Prophet of divine protection from harm by people, while affirming that Allah does not guide disbelievers. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this verse emphasizes the Prophet's obligation to deliver all divine guidance without omission or fear, establishing the foundational principle that a messenger's duty is complete and comprehensive conveyance.

Revelation Context

This ayah was revealed in the final period of the Prophet's life, likely during the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wida'), and is understood by many scholars to relate to the Prophet's obligation to communicate all divine revelations. The broader context of Surah Al-Ma'idah (revealed in Madinah) emphasizes religious law, obligations, and the completion of the Islamic message.

Related Hadiths

The hadith of Ghadir Khumm (recorded in multiple sources including Tirmidhi and others) is contextually related, as it demonstrates the Prophet's fulfillment of this command to convey important guidance. Additionally, the Prophet's Farewell Sermon (Khutbat al-Wida') exemplifies this ayah's directive to communicate the complete message.

Themes

Divine ObligationProphetic Duty and ResponsibilityDivine ProtectionComplete Message DeliveryRejection of DisbeliefTrust in Allah

Key Lesson

This ayah reminds believers that conveying truth fully and without compromise is a sacred obligation, and that those who undertake this responsibility can trust in Allah's protection. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of integrity in religious practice and the courage needed to communicate faith principles despite potential opposition.

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Related Ayahs

5:39Al-Ma'idah

فَمَن تَابَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ظُلْمِهِۦ وَأَصْلَحَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

But whoever repents after his wrongdoing and reforms, indeed, Allāh will turn to him in forgiveness. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

5:34Al-Ma'idah

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَقْدِرُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Except for those who return [repenting] before you overcome [i.e., apprehend] them. And know that Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

5:5Al-Ma'idah

ٱلْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ ۖ وَطَعَامُ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ وَٱلْمُحْصَنَـٰتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُحْصَنَـٰتُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَـٰفِحِينَ وَلَا مُتَّخِذِىٓ أَخْدَانٍ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُۥ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ

This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.

5:105Al-Ma'idah

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ لَا يَضُرُّكُم مَّن ضَلَّ إِذَا ٱهْتَدَيْتُمْ ۚ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

O you who have believed, upon you is [responsibility for] yourselves. Those who have gone astray will not harm you when you have been guided. To Allāh is your return all together; then He will inform you of what you used to do.