فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ 131
Translations
So fear Allāh and obey me.
Transliteration
Fattaquu Allaha wa atee'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of the speech of the Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) to his people, calling them to fear Allah and obey him as His messenger. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that Hud's message centered on monotheistic devotion to Allah and obedience to His appointed messenger, presenting obedience to the prophet as inseparable from piety toward Allah. Al-Tabari notes that this dual command reflects the fundamental Islamic principle that fearing Allah naturally leads one to heed His messengers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the narrative of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which recounts stories of various prophets and their calls to their peoples. Verse 131 is specifically part of Prophet Hud's exhortation to the 'Ad people, urging them away from idolatry and toward obedience to Allah. The surah's broader context emphasizes the consistency of the divine message across all prophets and the consequences of rejecting it.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), emphasizing obedience through adherence to divine guidance. Also relevant: 'Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah' (Sahih Muslim 1835), establishing the connection between obedience to messengers and obedience to Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true piety toward Allah is demonstrated through obedience to His messengers and their guidance, reminding believers that fearing God and following His appointed guides are complementary obligations. For modern readers, it emphasizes that spiritual devotion must manifest in concrete obedience to divine guidance and the wisdom of those who convey it.