فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ 159
Translations
So by mercy from Allāh, [O Muḥammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allāh. Indeed, Allāh loves those who rely [upon Him].
Transliteration
Fa-bima rahmatan min-Allah linta lahum wa-law kunta fazzan ghaleez-al-qalbi la-nfaddoo min hawlika fa-afu anhum wa-stagh-fir lahum wa-shawir-hum fi-al-amr fa-iza azmta fa-tawakkal ala-Allah inna-Allah yuhibb-al-mutawakkilin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), emphasizing that his gentleness and mercy toward the Companions were a divine gift from Allah; had he been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have abandoned him. The verse commands the Prophet to pardon them, seek forgiveness on their behalf, and consult them in matters, instructing leaders to balance consultation (shura) with firm decision-making while relying entirely on Allah. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this establishes the principle of consultative governance (shura) as a divine command, while Al-Tabari emphasizes the Prophet's exemplary character as the foundation of his leadership.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within the context of Surah Ali 'Imran, which discusses the battle of Uhud and its aftermath. It was revealed to address the Prophet's concern about the Companions after some of them disobeyed his orders during Uhud, resulting in Muslim casualties. The ayah consolidates the lessons from that battle and establishes principles for effective leadership and community guidance.
Related Hadiths
1) Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim report that the Prophet said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family.' This reflects the gentleness emphasized in 3:159. 2) Tirmidhi reports that the Prophet consulted his Companions in important matters, exemplifying the shura principle commanded in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
True leadership is built on kindness, mercy, and genuine consultation with those you serve, not on harshness or authoritarianism; after making decisions with proper counsel, a leader must place absolute trust in Allah rather than relying solely on human effort or plans.