وَمَا يَتَّبِعُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ إِلَّا ظَنًّا ۚ إِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ شَيْـًٔا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ 36
Translations
And most of them follow not except assumption. Indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of what they do.
Transliteration
Wa mā yattabi'u akthāruhum illā zannā. Inna az-zanna lā yughni mina al-haqqi shay'ā. Inna Allāha 'alīmun bimā yaf'alūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah criticizes those who follow mere conjecture and speculation (zann) instead of certain knowledge and divine guidance. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that zann refers to baseless assumptions and unfounded opinions, particularly regarding matters of faith and the Divine. The ayah establishes that conjecture provides no protection or benefit against the truth, and Allah remains fully aware of all human actions—an implicit warning that reliance on falsehood will not escape Divine knowledge or accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Yunus (a Meccan surah revealed during the early persecution of Muslims), addressing the polytheists of Mecca who rejected the Qur'an and clung to the practices and beliefs of their ancestors based on mere custom and assumption rather than evidence. The surah repeatedly contrasts the certainty of Allah's message with the uncertainty of human conjecture.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Beware of suspicion (zann), for suspicion is the falsest of speech' (Sahih Bukhari 5143). Additionally, the Qur'an states in 49:12: 'O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin.'
Themes
Key Lesson
In matters of faith and truth, we must distinguish between certain knowledge (based on revelation and evidence) and mere conjecture or personal preference. Relying on baseless assumptions in religious matters leaves us spiritually vulnerable, while trusting in Allah's wisdom and guidance provides genuine protection and rectitude.
Related Ayahs
فَٱلْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ ءَايَةً ۚ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا لَغَـٰفِلُونَ
So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.
وَيَوْمَ نَحْشُرُهُمْ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ نَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ مَكَانَكُمْ أَنتُمْ وَشُرَكَآؤُكُمْ ۚ فَزَيَّلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ وَقَالَ شُرَكَآؤُهُم مَّا كُنتُمْ إِيَّانَا تَعْبُدُونَ
And [mention, O Muḥammad], the Day We will gather them all together - then We will say to those who associated others with Allāh, "[Remain in] your place, you and your 'partners.'" Then We will separate them, and their "partners" will say, "You did not used to worship us,
دَعْوَىٰهُمْ فِيهَا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ ٱللَّهُمَّ وَتَحِيَّتُهُمْ فِيهَا سَلَـٰمٌ ۚ وَءَاخِرُ دَعْوَىٰهُمْ أَنِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Their call therein will be, "Exalted are You, O Allāh," and their greeting therein will be, "Peace." And the last of their call will be, "Praise to Allāh, Lord of the worlds!"
وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِكُلِّ نَفْسٍ ظَلَمَتْ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَٱفْتَدَتْ بِهِۦ ۗ وَأَسَرُّوا۟ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۖ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
And if each soul that wronged had everything on earth, it would offer it in ransom. And they will confide regret when they see the punishment; and they will be judged in justice, and they will not be wronged.