فَٱصْفَحْ عَنْهُمْ وَقُلْ سَلَـٰمٌ ۚ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ 89
Translations
So turn aside from them and say, "Peace." But they are going to know.
Transliteration
Fasfah 'anhum wa qul assalam, fasawfa ya'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to turn away from those who reject the message and to greet them with peace, despite their hostility and disbelief. Ibn Kathir explains this as an instruction to maintain composure and dignity in the face of rejection, leaving their final judgment to Allah, while Al-Tabari notes that this 'salam' (peace) represents the Prophet's gracious conduct and the ultimate vindication that will come when they witness the consequences of their rejection on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Az-Zukhruf, which addresses the polytheists' rejection of monotheism and the Prophet's message. The verse is situated within a section discussing the Prophet's patience with those who mock and deny him, reflecting the broader context of Meccan opposition to the Islamic message during the early years of prophethood.
Related Hadiths
The principle of patient forbearance is reflected in Sahih Bukhari (3285) where the Prophet said, 'The strong person is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah (4186) records that the Prophet was commanded to 'pardon and overlook' in dealing with those who opposed him.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that responding to hostility with grace, peace, and dignified patience is a reflection of spiritual strength rather than weakness, and that ultimate justice and vindication belong to Allah alone, freeing us from the burden of avenging ourselves against those who wrong us.