إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ لِلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَلِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ 41
Translations
Indeed, We sent down to you the Book for the people in truth. So whoever is guided - it is for [the benefit of] his soul; and whoever goes astray only goes astray to its detriment. And you are not a manager [i.e., authority] over them.
Transliteration
Inna anzalna alayka al-kitaba li-l-nasi bi-l-haqqi fa-man ihtada fa-li-nafsihi wa-man dalla fa-innama yadillu alayha wa-ma anta alayhim bi-wakilin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad as guidance for all humanity based on truth, making clear the principle of human free will and responsibility. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that whoever chooses to be guided benefits themselves, while whoever goes astray harms only themselves—the Prophet's role is to convey the message, not to compel belief or monitor people's deeds. Al-Qurtubi notes this absolves the Prophet of responsibility for those who reject guidance, placing full accountability on individuals for their choices.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period (Surah Az-Zumar is Meccan) when the Prophet faced significant opposition and rejection from the Quraysh. It addresses the Prophet's distress over people's disbelief and reassures him that his duty is only to convey the message clearly, while the acceptance or rejection of faith remains the personal choice and responsibility of each individual. The surah's themes center on divine unity (Tawhid) and the consequences of one's choices.
Related Hadiths
The principle reflected here relates to the hadith: 'There is no compulsion in religion' (Qur'an 2:256) and the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said, 'Each soul will know what it has sent forward and kept back' (Qur'an 82:5), emphasizing personal accountability for choices made.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that while we have access to divine guidance through the Qur'an, ultimate responsibility for our spiritual path rests with us alone—neither can others force us to believe, nor can we blame others for our misguidance. It encourages personal accountability and reminds us that seeking knowledge and guidance is a choice that directly benefits or harms our own souls.