يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِٱلْحَقِّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا 170
Translations
O mankind, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you. But if you disbelieve - then indeed, to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. And ever is Allāh Knowing and Wise.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha an-nasu qad jaakum ar-rasulu bil-haqqi min rabbikum fa'aminu khayran lakum wa in takfuru fa inna lillahi ma fi as-samawati wa al-ardi wa kana Allahu aliman hakiman
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is a direct address to all humanity, announcing the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with clear truth from Allah, and calling them to believe for their own benefit. The ayah emphasizes that disbelief does not harm Allah in any way, as He possesses all that exists in the heavens and earth, and His knowledge and wisdom encompass all things. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir note that this verse establishes the universal nature of the Prophet's message and removes any excuse for rejection based on ignorance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan portion of Surah An-Nisa and reflects the period when the Islamic message was firmly established in Medina. It addresses both believers and disbelievers, reminding them of the Prophet's role as a messenger with divine truth, and emphasizing that Allah's dominion and wisdom transcend human acceptance or rejection of His message.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet said, 'The best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad,' relates to the concept of the Messenger bringing truth (al-haqq). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari regarding the universality of the Prophet's message ('I have been sent to all of mankind') aligns with the universal address 'O mankind' in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that accepting Allah's message through His Messenger is ultimately for our own benefit and well-being, while rejection of truth cannot diminish Allah's power or knowledge. Modern readers should reflect on the personal responsibility each individual bears in responding to truth when it becomes clear to them, recognizing that sincere belief is an investment in their spiritual welfare.
Related Ayahs
فَقَـٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُكَلَّفُ إِلَّا نَفْسَكَ ۚ وَحَرِّضِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَكُفَّ بَأْسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَشَدُّ بَأْسًا وَأَشَدُّ تَنكِيلًا
So fight, [O Muḥammad], in the cause of Allāh; you are not held responsible except for yourself. And encourage the believers [to join you] that perhaps Allāh will restrain the [military] might of those who disbelieve. And Allāh is greater in might and stronger in [exemplary] punishment.
يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَعَصَوُا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ لَوْ تُسَوَّىٰ بِهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَلَا يَكْتُمُونَ ٱللَّهَ حَدِيثًا
That Day, those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messenger will wish they could be covered by the earth. And they will not conceal from Allāh a [single] statement.
وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ فِى يَتَـٰمَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّـٰتِى لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ وَأَن تَقُومُوا۟ لِلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمًا
And they request from you, [O Muḥammad], a [legal] ruling concerning women. Say, "Allāh gives you a ruling about them and [about] what has been recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them - and [yet] you desire to marry them - and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for orphans [their rights] in justice." And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing of it.
وَلْيَخْشَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَوْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةً ضِعَـٰفًا خَافُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ فَلْيَتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلْيَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا
And let those [executors and guardians] fear [injustice] as if they [themselves] had left weak offspring behind and feared for them. So let them fear Allāh and speak words of appropriate justice.