وَإِنَّكَ لَتَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ 73
Translations
And indeed, you invite them to a straight path.
Transliteration
Wa-inna ka la-tad'uuhum ila siratim mustaqim
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses the Prophet Muhammad, affirming that he is indeed calling the people towards the Straight Path (sirat al-mustaqim), which refers to the way of monotheism and obedience to Allah. This ayah emphasizes that despite the rejection and disbelief of the Quraysh, the Prophet's mission and message are true and guided. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this serves as a reassurance to the Prophet that his da'wah (call) is correct and divinely guided, regardless of human opposition.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period of Surah Al-Mu'minun, which addresses the disbelief of the Meccan polytheists and their rejection of the Prophet's message. The broader context of this surah emphasizes the certainty of the believers and the doom awaiting the disbelievers, serving to strengthen the Prophet's resolve during a time of intense persecution and mockery from the Quraysh.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad said, 'I was sent as a giver of good news and a warner,' (Sahih Bukhari 1:3), which relates to the concept of calling people to the Straight Path. Additionally, the hadith 'The best of people are those in my generation, then those who follow them' (Sahih Bukhari) reflects the importance of following the guidance on the Straight Path.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that spreading the message of Allah's oneness and righteousness is a noble and true mission, regardless of how many reject it. Believers should find solace in knowing that sincere da'wah to the Straight Path is always valuable in Allah's sight, even when faced with ridicule or resistance from others.