فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ 8
Translations
Then do not obey the deniers.
Transliteration
Fa-lā tu'ti al-mukadhdhībīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) not to obey or follow the deniers and rejecters of the truth. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this instruction emphasizes that despite opposition and mockery from the disbelievers, the Prophet should remain steadfast in his mission and not compromise the message of Islam. The command underscores the principle that obedience to Allah and His truth supersedes any pressure from those who reject the divine message.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Qalam was revealed in Mecca during a period of intense persecution of the Prophet and early Muslims by Quraysh. This ayah appears within the opening section of the surah that reassures the Prophet of his noble character and guides him to maintain his steadfastness despite the mockery and denial of the disbelievers around him.
Related Hadiths
The principle is reflected in the hadith: 'The best jihad is a word of truth spoken in the presence of a tyrant ruler' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3146). Additionally, Surah Al-Ahzab 33:48 contains a parallel command: 'And obey not the disbelievers and hypocrites' which reinforces this same directive.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should prioritize obedience to Allah's guidance over conforming to the demands of those who reject truth, and must maintain moral courage even when facing social or personal pressure to compromise their principles. This ayah teaches that true strength lies in unwavering commitment to what is right, regardless of opposition.