إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَشَآقُّوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ لَن يَضُرُّوا۟ ٱللَّهَ شَيْـًٔا وَسَيُحْبِطُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ 32
Translations
Indeed, those who disbelieved and averted [people] from the path of Allāh and opposed the Messenger after guidance had become clear to them - never will they harm Allāh at all, and He will render worthless their deeds.
Transliteration
Inna alladhīna kafarū wa-saddū 'an sabīl illāh wa-shāqqū al-rasūl min ba'da mā tabayyana lahum al-hudā lan yaḍurrū illāh shay'an wa-sayuḥbiṭ a'māalhum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who reject faith, obstruct others from Allah's path, and oppose the Messenger after clear guidance has been established for them, declaring that their actions cannot harm Allah in any way. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the ayah emphasizes that such opposition is futile and their deeds will be rendered void on the Day of Judgment. Al-Tabari notes that 'shaqqu' (opposition/enmity) specifically refers to their deliberate hostility toward the Prophet (ﷺ) despite having knowledge of the truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Muhammad (a Medinan surah), which addresses the hypocrites and those who rejected the Prophet during his time in Medina. The context follows discussions about believers and disbelievers, emphasizing the consequences of willful rejection and obstruction of Allah's message after it has become manifest.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever opposes the Sunnah of mine, he has opposed Allah' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, 'Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me' (Sahih Bukhari) relates thematically to the concept of opposing the Messenger.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that those who knowingly reject truth and oppose the Prophet's message cannot diminish Allah's sovereignty or cause Him harm; instead, they only harm themselves through the voiding of their own deeds. For modern readers, it underscores the importance of accepting guidance when it becomes clear and the spiritual danger of obstinate denial and spreading misguidance.