قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى وَءَاتَىٰنِى مِنْهُ رَحْمَةً فَمَن يَنصُرُنِى مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ عَصَيْتُهُۥ ۖ فَمَا تَزِيدُونَنِى غَيْرَ تَخْسِيرٍ 63
Translations
He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I should be upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has given me mercy from Himself, who would protect me from Allāh if I disobeyed Him? So you would not increase me except in loss.
Transliteration
Qāla yā qawmi araaytum in kuntu alā bayyinatin min rabbī wa-ātānī minhu raḥmatan faman yanṣurnī mina -llāhi in ʿaṣaytuh. Famā tazīdūnnī ghayra takhsīr.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Salih addresses his people, asking them to consider: if he truly possesses clear evidence from his Lord and has received mercy from Him, who can help him against Allah if he were to disobey Him? He thus declares that their rejection and mockery only brings him loss and harm, not benefit. This ayah emphasizes Salih's confidence in his message and the futility of opposing Allah's will, as Ibn Kathir notes that Salih is invoking reason and logic to make his people understand the gravity of rejecting divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the story of Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud in Surah Hud. Salih is responding to his people's rejection and ridicule of his message of monotheism. The broader context shows the pattern of prophetic rejection throughout history, with each prophet facing similar challenges from their communities.
Related Hadiths
The principle of reliance on Allah despite rejection is echoed in the hadith: 'Whoever strives in the way of Allah will find Allah with him' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Quranic principle in 42:48 relates: 'There is no obligation upon you except to convey [the message],' reflecting the prophet's duty despite people's response.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that when we are upon clear guidance and divine mercy, we need not fear the opposition of others—our trust should be entirely in Allah, not in human support. For those who reject truth, their mockery of the righteous only harms themselves, not the message or the messenger.