قُلْ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّى عَـٰمِلٌ ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ 39
Translations
Say, "O my people, work according to your position, [for] indeed, I am working; and you are going to know
Transliteration
Qul ya qawmi'malu alaa makaanatikum inni aamil fasawfa ta'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is commanded to tell his people to continue in their beliefs and practices while he continues in his mission, with the assurance that the truth will eventually become manifest. Ibn Kathir explains this as a declaration of confidence in Allah's message and a challenge to the disbelievers, indicating that time will reveal who is upon the truth. Al-Tabari notes this ayah reflects the Prophet's steadfastness despite opposition, with the promise that the consequences of their actions will become clear.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the end of Surah Az-Zumar (a Meccan surah) during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet in Mecca. It reflects the context of the early Islamic period when the Prophet and believers faced ridicule and resistance from the Quraysh, yet remained resolute in their mission. The surah's overall theme emphasizes the reality of the afterlife and Allah's ultimate judgment.
Related Hadiths
The statement reflects the principle found in Sahih Bukhari (Book of Tawheed) where the Prophet said, 'The best jihad is a word of truth before a tyrannical ruler.' Also related is the hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi about patience and steadfastness in faith despite persecution.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to remain unwavering in their commitment to truth and righteousness, trusting that Allah will ultimately vindicate His message regardless of worldly opposition. It encourages patience and confidence that one's sincere efforts in service of truth will bear fruit, whether in this life or the next.
Related Ayahs
ٱللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ كِتَـٰبًا مُّتَشَـٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ يَهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ
Allāh has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance [i.e., mention] of Allāh. That is the guidance of Allāh by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allāh sends astray - for him there is no guide.
قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ عَـٰلِمَ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ أَنتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِى مَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
Say, "O Allāh, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, You will judge between your servants concerning that over which they used to differ."
ٱللَّهُ خَـٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَكِيلٌ
Allāh is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs.
فَأَذَاقَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخِزْىَ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
So Allāh made them taste disgrace in worldly life. But the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.