وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ لَهَمَّت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْهُمْ أَن يُضِلُّوكَ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۖ وَمَا يَضُرُّونَكَ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ وَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَكَ مَا لَمْ تَكُن تَعْلَمُ ۚ وَكَانَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ عَظِيمًا 113
Translations
And if it was not for the favor of Allāh upon you, [O Muḥammad], and His mercy, a group of them would have determined to mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they will not harm you at all. And Allāh has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favor of Allāh upon you been great.
Transliteration
Wa law lā faḍlu -llāhi `alayka wa raḥmatuhu la-hammatt ṭā'ifatun minhum an yuḍillūka wa mā yuḍillūna illā anfusahum wa mā yaḍurrūnaka min shay'in wa anzala -llāhu `alayka al-kitāba wa al-ḥikmata wa `allamaka mā lam takun ta`lamu wa kāna faḍlu -llāhi `alayka `aẓīmā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes Allah's protection of the Prophet (peace be upon him) from the schemes of those who intended to lead him astray. According to classical exegetes like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, a group of hypocrites and disbelievers plotted to confuse or mislead the Prophet, but Allah's grace and mercy safeguarded him completely. The ayah affirms that such plotters only harm themselves spiritually, while highlighting Allah's blessings upon the Prophet—the revelation of the Qur'an, wisdom (Sunnah), and divine knowledge.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period during the time when hypocrites and disbelievers actively conspired against the Prophet and his message. The context relates to the broader Medinan struggle between the Muslim community and its opponents, with this particular verse addressing a specific plot or general patterns of attempted deception by a faction among the Jews or hypocrites of Medina.
Related Hadiths
Tirmidhi reports that the Prophet said, 'Allah has protected me from the evil eye of the envious and the plots of the plotters.' Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, there are references to the Prophet's reliance on Allah's protection during times of danger and opposition.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reassures believers that when they trust in Allah and follow His guidance, no external plot or deception can truly harm them—the real damage befalls those who reject truth. For modern Muslims, it teaches reliance upon Allah's protection and the assurance that sincere adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah provides spiritual immunity against misguidance.