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
وَٱتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَٱصْبِرْ حَتَّىٰ يَحْكُمَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ
And follow what is revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and be patient until Allāh will judge. And He is the best of judges.
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَاتُنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ ۙ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا ٱئْتِ بِقُرْءَانٍ غَيْرِ هَـٰذَآ أَوْ بَدِّلْهُ ۚ قُلْ مَا يَكُونُ لِىٓ أَنْ أُبَدِّلَهُۥ مِن تِلْقَآئِ نَفْسِىٓ ۖ إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, those who do not expect the meeting with Us say, "Bring us a Qur’ān other than this or change it." Say, [O Muḥammad], "It is not for me to change it on my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me. Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ ۖ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍ مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Or do they say [about the Prophet (ﷺ)], "He invented it?" Say, "Then bring forth a sūrah like it and call upon [for assistance] whomever you can besides Allāh, if you should be truthful."
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Indeed, those upon whom the word [i.e., decree] of your Lord has come into effect will not believe,