وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَسْتَ مُرْسَلًا ۚ قُلْ كَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًۢا بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكُمْ وَمَنْ عِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ 43
Translations
And those who have disbelieved say, "You are not a messenger." Say, [O Muḥammad], "Sufficient is Allāh as Witness between me and you, and [the witness of] whoever has knowledge of the Scripture."
Transliteration
Wa yaqoolu allatheena kafaroo lasta mursalan qul kafaa billahi shaheedan baynee wa baynakum wa man AAindahu AAilmu alkitabi
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers deny the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) prophethood, but Allah commands him to respond with confidence that Allah Himself is a sufficient witness between him and them, along with whoever possesses knowledge of the Scripture (understood by many classical scholars as referring to Abdullah ibn Salam and other believing People of the Book). This ayah emphasizes that the Prophet's message is self-evident and does not depend on the acceptance of disbelievers, as Allah's testimony supersedes all earthly objections.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader Medinan context where the Prophet (ﷺ) faced persistent denial from the Meccan idolaters and some Jewish tribes in Medina. The surah addresses various forms of disbelief and denial, providing the Prophet with divine reassurance during a period of active resistance to his message.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4970): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The best witness is Allah.' This affirms the principle stated in this ayah. Additionally, the incident of Abdullah ibn Salam accepting Islam (Sahih Bukhari 3942) provides historical context for 'whoever possesses knowledge of the Scripture.'
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing rejection or disbelief from others, believers should find solace in Allah's testimony and knowledge rather than depending on human validation. This ayah teaches reliance (tawakkul) on Allah and reminds us that truth is self-evident to those with sincere hearts and genuine knowledge.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ
And those who are patient, seeking the face [i.e., acceptance] of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good - those will have the good consequence of [this] home -
لَهُۥ مُعَقِّبَـٰتٌ مِّنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ يَحْفَظُونَهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ۗ وَإِذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوٓءًا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ ۚ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَالٍ
For him [i.e., each one] are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. And when Allāh intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron.
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.
وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ وَعَلَيْنَا ٱلْحِسَابُ
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.