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
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allāh does not fail in His promise."
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِي۟ن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ ٱنقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ ۚ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ ٱللَّهَ شَيْـًٔا ۗ وَسَيَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
Muḥammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allāh at all; but Allāh will reward the grateful.
إِن تَمْسَسْكُمْ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِن تُصِبْكُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَفْرَحُوا۟ بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ
If good touches you, it distresses them; but if harm strikes you, they rejoice at it. And if you are patient and fear Allāh, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed, Allāh is encompassing of what they do.
وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
And obey Allāh and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.