لَيْسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ شَىْءٌ أَوْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ أَوْ يُعَذِّبَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ 128
Translations
Not for you, [O Muḥammad, but for Allāh], is the decision whether He should [cut them down] or forgive them or punish them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers.
Transliteration
Laysa laka mina al-amri shay'un aw yatuba 'alayhim aw yu'adhdhibhum fa-innahum zalimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), clarifying that he has no authority to compel belief or determine the fate of those who reject Islam—that authority belongs to Allah alone. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the ayah means the Prophet's role is to convey the message, while Allah's prerogative is to guide whom He wills, accept the repentance of those who turn to Him, or punish those who persist in wrongdoing. The closing phrase 'they are wrongdoers' refers to those who reject guidance despite its clarity.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within Surah Ali 'Imran, which extensively addresses matters of faith, belief, and the relationship between Allah's will and human responsibility. It comes in the context of discussions about the Battle of Uhud and broader themes of divine will versus human agency, reminding the Muslim community that ultimate judgment and guidance rest with Allah, not with the Prophet or the believers.
Related Hadiths
Related to this ayah is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said, 'You are not responsible for guiding them, but Allah guides whom He wills.' Also relevant is the principle found in multiple hadith collections that the Prophet's duty was only to convey the message clearly (tabligh), as stated in Surah 16:82.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that while we should strive to convey Islamic teachings with sincerity and wisdom, ultimately hearts and outcomes are in Allah's hands—a reminder that reduces frustration in da'wah and encourages reliance on Allah rather than despondency over others' choices. It also emphasizes that accountability for rejection of truth lies with the rejectors themselves, not with those who convey the message.