وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً فَٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ 19
Translations
And mankind was not but one community [united in religion], but [then] they differed. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them [immediately] concerning that over which they differ.
Transliteration
Wa mā kānal-nāsu illā ummatan wāhidatan fakhtalafu wa lawlā kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika la-qudiya baynahum fīmā fīhi yakhtalifūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that mankind was originally one unified community (upon the religion of truth and monotheism), but they subsequently divided and differed in their beliefs and practices. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that had it not been for Allah's prior decree of respite (giving people time and free choice), He would have immediately punished them for their disagreements and innovations. The 'word' (kalimah) that preceded refers to Allah's decree delaying judgment until the Day of Resurrection, allowing people the opportunity to repent and choose their path.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Yunus, a Meccan chapter addressing the polytheists of Mecca who had deviated from the monotheistic faith of Prophet Ibrahim. The context reflects the broader Quranic theme of explaining humanity's propensity toward division and how divine guidance was sent through successive prophets to unite people upon truth.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'My community will be divided into seventy-three sects, all of them in the Hellfire except one' relates to the theme of human division. Additionally, the Prophet's statement about the 'best of generations' (Ahadith al-Qurn) in Sahih Bukhari connects to the concept of original unity in faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that unity in faith is humanity's natural state, and divisions arise from our own choices and departures from divine guidance. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of returning to foundational Islamic principles while showing mercy toward those who differ, recognizing that Allah's patience with humanity provides opportunity for repentance and rectification.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
And what will be the supposition of those who invent falsehood about Allāh on the Day of Resurrection? Indeed, Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the people, but most of them are not grateful.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ ٱلشَّمْسَ ضِيَآءً وَٱلْقَمَرَ نُورًا وَقَدَّرَهُۥ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعْلَمُوا۟ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ ۚ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
It is He who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light and determined for it phases - that you may know the number of years and account [of time]. Allāh has not created this except in truth. He details the signs for a people who know.
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولٌ ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ رَسُولُهُمْ قُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْقِسْطِ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
And for every nation is a messenger. So when their messenger comes, it will be judged between them in justice, and they will not be wronged.
وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْقُرُونَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا۟ ۙ وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
And We had already destroyed generations before you when they wronged, and their messengers had come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe. Thus do We recompense the criminal people.