إِنِّىٓ إِذًا لَّفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ 24
Translations
Indeed, I would then be in manifest error.
Transliteration
Innee izan lafee dalalim mubeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah expresses the speaker's acknowledgment that to abandon the worship of Allah alone and associate partners with Him would be manifest misguidance. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement reflects the logical conclusion that rejecting monotheism leads to clear error and spiritual loss. The ayah emphasizes that tawheed (Islamic monotheism) is the only path to guidance, and any deviation from it constitutes obvious straying.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ya-Sin's discussion of monotheism and the call to worship Allah alone. It reflects the broader Meccan theme of refuting polytheism and emphasizing the necessity of pure monotheism. The verse is part of a dialogue addressing those who reject the message of tawheed.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah (shirk).' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah records that the Prophet emphasized that tawheed is the foundation of all righteousness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true guidance lies solely in the worship of Allah without partners, and any deviation from this principle represents clear misguidance. In modern context, it encourages Muslims to examine their intentions and ensure their devotion is purely for Allah's sake, free from worldly desires or societal pressures that might compromise monotheistic belief.
Related Ayahs
تُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۖ وَتُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَتُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ ۖ وَتَرْزُقُ مَن تَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom You will without account [i.e., limit or measure]."
ٱلَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ ٱلْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَٱغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed, [saying], "Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَنِى فَهُوَ يَهْدِينِ
Who created me, and He [it is who] guides me.