إِن نَّقُولُ إِلَّا ٱعْتَرَىٰكَ بَعْضُ ءَالِهَتِنَا بِسُوٓءٍ ۗ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أُشْهِدُ ٱللَّهَ وَٱشْهَدُوٓا۟ أَنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ 54
Translations
We only say that some of our gods have possessed you with evil [i.e., insanity]." He said, "Indeed, I call Allāh to witness, and witness [yourselves] that I am free from whatever you associate with Allāh
Transliteration
In naqūlu illā ʿtarāka baʿḍu ālihatinā bisuūʾ, qāla innī ushḥidu Allāha washshhadū annī barīʾun mimmā tushrikūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The people of Prophet Hud accuse him of being afflicted by madness or possession from their gods if he does not stop preaching monotheism. Prophet Hud responds with absolute conviction, calling Allah as witness and demanding his people witness as well that he is completely innocent of their polytheistic practices and rejects all their idols. This demonstrates the prophet's unwavering commitment to tawhīd (monotheism) despite the community's rejection and accusations against him.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Prophet Hud's call to his people, the ʿĀd. The Meccan surah addresses the Prophet Muhammad's situation, where the Quraysh similarly accused him of being possessed or mad for his monotheistic message. The parallel accounts throughout Surah Hud illustrate how prophets throughout history faced identical accusations and ridicule from their peoples.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3611) where the Prophet said, 'The best of supplications is the supplication on the day of ʿArafah,' relates thematically to the invocation and testimony before Allah mentioned in this verse. Additionally, the Prophet's statement about remaining patient against accusations parallels Hud's steadfastness, referenced in various hadith collections concerning prophetic endurance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that conviction in Allah's oneness may result in ridicule and false accusations, yet the believer's duty is to stand firm in truth and distance themselves completely from falsehood. It demonstrates that bearing witness to one's faith before Allah and others is an act of courage and spiritual integrity in the face of societal pressure.
Related Ayahs
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرُونَ
Assuredly, it is they in the Hereafter who will be the greatest losers.
إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
To Allāh is your return, and He is over all things competent."
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ فَٱخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍ
And We had certainly given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them. And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Qur’ān], in disquieting doubt.
وَإِنَّ كُلًّا لَّمَّا لَيُوَفِّيَنَّهُمْ رَبُّكَ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
And indeed, each [of the believers and disbelievers] - your Lord will fully compensate them for their deeds. Indeed, He is Aware of what they do.