وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ 214
Translations
And warn, [O Muḥammad], your closest kindred.
Transliteration
Wa-andhir 'ashīrataka al-aqrabīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to warn his closest relatives and family members first with the message of Islam. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this instruction emphasizes that da'wah (preaching) begins with those nearest to us, establishing a principle of prioritizing kinship in the conveyance of faith. The ayah highlights the Prophet's responsibility to deliver the divine message starting with his own clan, the Quraysh, before extending it more broadly.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of early Meccan revelation when the Prophet was commanded to openly proclaim Islam after a period of secret preaching. It reflects the phase when the Prophet transitioned from private to public da'wah, specifically instructing him to warn his close relatives (Banu Hashim and the broader Quraysh tribe) of the consequences of rejecting monotheism.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4770): The Prophet gathered the Quraysh and warned them, 'O people of Quraysh, save yourselves from the Fire.' This hadith illustrates the practical application of this ayah. Additionally, Muslim (196) records that the Prophet said to his uncle Abu Talib and family members about the reality of the afterlife.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that our religious responsibility begins with our immediate family and loved ones; we should prioritize advising and guiding those closest to us in matters of faith and righteousness, recognizing that sincere concern for their spiritual welfare is both a duty and an act of mercy.