مَّن يُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَ ۖ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا 80
Translations
He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allāh; but those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian.
Transliteration
Man yuti'ir ar-rasūla faqad atā'a Allāh, wa man tawallā famā arsalnāka 'alayhim hafīẓā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the principle that obedience to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is equivalent to obedience to Allah, as the Prophet conveys divine revelation without alteration. Conversely, those who turn away from the Prophet's guidance are not under his guardianship or compulsion, emphasizing that belief and obedience are matters of free choice. Ibn Kathir notes this demonstrates the Prophet's supreme authority in religious matters as Allah's chosen messenger, while Al-Tabari emphasizes that the Prophet's commands reflect divine will.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4), a Medinan surah revealed after the Prophet's migration to Madinah. It addresses the Muslim community's relationship with prophetic authority during the establishment of the Islamic state. The broader context concerns obedience to Allah and His Messenger as foundational to community cohesion and proper governance.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim (1835): The Prophet said, 'Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah.' Also, Sunan Abu Dawud (4604): 'Hear and obey, even if a slave is appointed over you,' emphasizing the binding nature of following legitimate leadership.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that following the Prophet's teachings is inseparable from worshipping Allah, making it essential to study and implement Sunnah in daily life. It also clarifies that while the Prophet guides, ultimate acceptance rests with individuals, calling Muslims to conscious, willing obedience rather than blind compliance.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ٱلظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا
And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allāh and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper"?
وَأَخْذِهِمُ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ وَقَدْ نُهُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَكْلِهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ ۚ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
And [for] their taking of usury while they had been forbidden from it, and their consuming of the people's wealth unjustly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.
وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقْصُرُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ إِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَن يَفْتِنَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ كَانُوا۟ لَكُمْ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا
And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you. Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy.
۞ وَٱلْمُحْصَنَـٰتُ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ إِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ۖ كِتَـٰبَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَأُحِلَّ لَكُم مَّا وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَن تَبْتَغُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُم مُّحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَـٰفِحِينَ ۚ فَمَا ٱسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِهِۦ مِنْهُنَّ فَـَٔاتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا تَرَٰضَيْتُم بِهِۦ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلْفَرِيضَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
And [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allāh upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.