وَجَآءَ مِنْ أَقْصَا ٱلْمَدِينَةِ رَجُلٌ يَسْعَىٰ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ 20
Translations
And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers.
Transliteration
Wa jaa'a min aqsa al-madinati rajulun yas'a qala ya qawmi ittabi'u al-mursalin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a righteous believer who rushed from the farthest end of the city to warn his people and call them to follow the messengers. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this man represents the epitome of sincere counsel and courage, urging his people to abandon idolatry and follow the prophetic message. His urgent action (yasʿa - hastening) emphasizes the gravity of the message and the believer's earnest desire for his people's salvation.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ya-Sin's narrative about the people of Antioch (or a similar ancient city) and their rejection of three messengers sent to them. The righteous man mentioned here serves as a counterpoint to the obstinate rejection of the majority, illustrating that even in communities of disbelief, sincere believers exist who strive to guide others toward truth. This surah was revealed in Mecca during the period of intense opposition to Prophet Muhammad's message.
Related Hadiths
The concept of sincere counsel (nasiha) is emphasized in the hadith: 'The religion is sincere counsel (ad-dinu nasihah)' reported in Sahih Muslim. Additionally, the hadith encouraging believers to convey the message: 'Convey from me even if it is one ayah' (Sahih Bukhari) reflects the spirit of this man's earnest exhortation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that believers have a responsibility to warn and guide others toward truth, even when facing hostile opposition or being alone in their conviction. It reminds us that sincere effort and heartfelt intention to guide others, combined with courage and urgency, reflect the highest character of faith.
Related Ayahs
فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ تَوْصِيَةً وَلَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
And they will not be able [to give] any instruction, nor to their people can they return.
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ أَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَنُطْعِمُ مَن لَّوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ أَطْعَمَهُۥٓ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
And when it is said to them, "Spend from that which Allāh has provided for you," those who disbelieve say to those who believe, "Should we feed one whom, if Allāh had willed, He would have fed? You are not but in clear error."
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا فِىٓ أَعْنَـٰقِهِمْ أَغْلَـٰلًا فَهِىَ إِلَى ٱلْأَذْقَانِ فَهُم مُّقْمَحُونَ
Indeed, We have put shackles on their necks, and they are to their chins, so they are with heads [kept] aloft.
سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْأَزْوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا مِمَّا تُنۢبِتُ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَمِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَمِمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Exalted is He who created all pairs - from what the earth grows and from themselves and from that which they do not know.