فَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كُذِّبَ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِكَ جَآءُو بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُنِيرِ 184
Translations
Then if they deny you, [O Muḥammad] - so were messengers denied before you, who brought clear proofs and written ordinances and the enlightening Scripture.
Transliteration
Fa-in kadhdhābūka faqad kudhiba rusulun min qablika jā'ū bil-bayyināti wa-z-zuburi wa-l-kitābi l-munīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah consoles the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding rejection by his people, assuring him that previous messengers were also denied despite presenting clear proofs (bayyināt), divine scriptures (zubur), and the illuminating Book (Qur'an). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this verse emphasizes the historical pattern of prophetic rejection and encourages the Prophet not to despair, as denial of messengers is a recurring theme throughout human history.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader Medinan discourse on the verification of divine messages and the trials faced by prophets. It appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the People of the Book and their rejection of prophetic messages, providing historical reassurance to the Muslim community during periods of opposition.
Related Hadiths
The theme connects to the hadith in Sahih Muslim (2286) where the Prophet stated that every prophet faced trials and harm, yet he remained patient. Additionally, Surah Al-Ankabut (29:18) reinforces this: 'And those before you were rejected, yet they were patient with denial.'
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing rejection or opposition in righteous endeavors, believers should remember that truth-bearers throughout history experienced similar trials, and perseverance in presenting clear evidence with patience is the mark of those on the straight path.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَنتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ
O People of the Scripture, why do you disbelieve in the verses of Allāh while you witness [to their truth]?
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَهِدَ إِلَيْنَآ أَلَّا نُؤْمِنَ لِرَسُولٍ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَنَا بِقُرْبَانٍ تَأْكُلُهُ ٱلنَّارُ ۗ قُلْ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِى بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَبِٱلَّذِى قُلْتُمْ فَلِمَ قَتَلْتُمُوهُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
[They are] those who said, "Indeed, Allāh has taken our promise not to believe any messenger until he brings us an offering which fire [from heaven] will consume." Say, "There have already come to you messengers before me with clear proofs and [even] that of which you speak. So why did you kill them, if you should be truthful?"
كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ ۗ وَلَوْ ءَامَنَ أَهْلُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۚ مِّنْهُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ
You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allāh. If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient.
فَنَادَتْهُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَآئِمٌ يُصَلِّى فِى ٱلْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًۢا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, "Indeed, Allāh gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word from Allāh and [who will be] honorable, abstaining [from women], and a prophet from among the righteous."