وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ وَعَلَيْنَا ٱلْحِسَابُ 40
Translations
And whether We show you part of what We promise them or take you in death, upon you is only the [duty of] notification, and upon Us is the account.
Transliteration
Wa-in mā nuriyannaka ba'ḍa alladhī na'iduhum aw natawaffaynnak fa-innamā 'alayka al-balāgh wa-'alaynā al-hisāb
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah consoles the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by clarifying that whether he witnesses the punishment of the disbelievers in his lifetime or passes away before seeing it, his sole responsibility is to convey the message clearly, while Allah alone is responsible for holding people accountable on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize this as a reassurance to the Prophet that he should not grieve over the disbelievers' rejection, as judgment belongs exclusively to Allah, not to him.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan Surah Ar-Ra'd and addresses the Prophet's concern regarding those who rejected his message. The broader context of the surah deals with signs of Allah's power and the reality of resurrection and accountability. It was revealed to strengthen the Prophet's resolve during times when the disbelievers mocked him and rejected his message.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Hadith 5027) relates to the emphasis on conveying the message. Additionally, the hadith 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Muslim 45) connects to the universal message of accountability.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims are reminded that their responsibility is to sincerely convey truth and live righteously, not to control outcomes or judge others—judgment belongs to Allah alone. This brings peace to believers by releasing them from the burden of others' acceptance and focusing them on fulfilling their duty with integrity.
Related Ayahs
وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَظِلَـٰلُهُم بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْـَٔاصَالِ ۩
And to Allāh prostrates whoever is within the heavens and the earth, willingly or by compulsion, and their shadows [as well] in the mornings and the afternoons.
۞ وَإِن تَعْجَبْ فَعَجَبٌ قَوْلُهُمْ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَغْلَـٰلُ فِىٓ أَعْنَاقِهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
And if you are astonished, [O Muḥammad] - then astonishing is their saying, "When we are dust, will we indeed be [brought] into a new creation?" Those are the ones who have disbelieved in their Lord, and those will have shackles upon their necks, and those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَـَٔابٍ
Those who have believed and done righteous deeds - a good state is theirs and a good return.
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِمُ ٱلْمَثُلَـٰتُ ۗ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ ظُلْمِهِمْ ۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
They impatiently urge you to bring about evil before good, while there has already occurred before them similar punishments [to what they demand]. And indeed, your Lord is the possessor of forgiveness for the people despite their wrongdoing, and indeed, your Lord is severe in penalty.