۞ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَلَا تُبْطِلُوٓا۟ أَعْمَـٰلَكُمْ 33
Translations
O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu ati'u Allah wa ati'u ar-rasul wa la tubṭilu a'malakum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to obey Allah and His Messenger, emphasizing that obedience to the Prophet is inseparable from obedience to Allah. The final clause—'do not nullify your deeds'—serves as a warning that disobedience, hypocrisy, or deviation from the guidance of Allah and His Messenger renders one's righteous works void and ineffective. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this negation of deeds refers to spiritual nullification in the sight of Allah, not merely the cessation of outward actions.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Muhammad, a Medinan chapter revealed during the period of the Islamic state in Medina. It addresses the Muslim community directly, reinforcing the importance of unified obedience during a time when various challenges to religious authority and social cohesion existed. The surah contextually deals with the characteristics of believers and hypocrites, and this verse serves as a clarifying command for the sincere believers among them.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah' (Sahih Bukhari 7137). Additionally, in Sunan Abu Dawud, the Prophet warned that 'the best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it,' emphasizing that true obedience involves internalizing and following divine guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Obedience to Allah's commands and the Prophet's guidance must be complete and sincere; partial obedience, hidden doubts, or selective adherence can render even outwardly good deeds spiritually meaningless. Modern believers should examine their intentions and consistency in following Islamic guidance to ensure their efforts are accepted and not negated by contradictory actions or attitudes.