قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ 13
Translations
Say, "Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."
Transliteration
Qul inni akhafu in 'asaytu rabbi 'adhaba yawmin 'adheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is commanded to proclaim that he fears the punishment of a great Day (the Day of Judgment) should he disobey his Lord, emphasizing human accountability before Allah regardless of station. This ayah demonstrates the Prophet's own piety and reverence for Allah, establishing that even the most righteous must fear Allah's punishment and maintain obedience. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this serves as a profound lesson that no one is exempt from divine justice, and that fear of Allah (khawf) combined with obedience is the foundation of faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Az-Zumar, a Meccan surah that addresses the nature of monotheism and the consequences of disbelief. The ayah occurs within a passage where the Prophet is instructed to clarify his message and personal stance regarding worship of Allah alone, in contrast to those who associate partners with Him. The context emphasizes that even the Messenger himself prioritizes obedience and fears Allah's punishment.
Related Hadiths
Jundub ibn Abdullah reported that the Prophet said: 'The most feared thing I fear for you is minor shirk (hidden polytheism)' (Sunan Ahmad). Additionally, Aisha reported that the Prophet would pray at night until his feet would swell, and when asked why, he said: 'Should I not be a grateful servant?' (Sahih Bukhari), reflecting the same spirit of devoted obedience and fear of Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine faith is rooted in a healthy fear of Allah and conscious awareness of accountability before Him on the Day of Judgment. For believers today, it serves as a reminder that no position, knowledge, or deed grants immunity from divine judgment; rather, true devotion lies in constant vigilance over one's obedience and sincere submission to Allah's commands.
Related Ayahs
وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
And I have been commanded to be the first [among you] of the Muslims."
قَدْ قَالَهَا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
Those before them had already said it, but they were not availed by what they used to earn.
لَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
But those who have feared their Lord - for them are chambers, above them chambers built high, beneath which rivers flow. [This is] the promise of Allāh. Allāh does not fail in [His] promise.
تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
The revelation of the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] is from Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.