كَلَّا لَمَّا يَقْضِ مَآ أَمَرَهُۥ 23
Translations
No! He [i.e., man] has not yet accomplished what He commanded him.
Transliteration
Kalla lamma yaqdhi ma amarahu
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah (80:23) is understood by classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari to mean 'Nay! When he has not yet fulfilled what He commanded him.' The ayah rebukes the disbeliever's arrogance and rejection of the Message, emphasizing that the human has not yet completed the obligations Allah has commanded. It serves as a stern reminder of human accountability and the necessity of obedience to divine commands.
Revelation Context
Surah 'Abasa was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period, addressing the Prophet's interaction with 'Abdullah ibn Umm Maktab (a blind companion). The broader surah focuses on themes of arrogance versus humility, and proper prioritization of preaching the faith. This particular ayah continues the theme of human responsibility and the consequences of negligence in fulfilling Allah's commands.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Surah 'Abasa's revelation context found in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) frowned at the blind companion, and Allah revealed this surah to correct this. Additionally, Hadith Qudsi in Sahih Muslim emphasizes: 'Whoever is arrogant will I humble, and whoever is humble will I exalt.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that we are responsible for fulfilling Allah's commands in their entirety, and that arrogance or complacency in our religious duties invites divine disapproval. It calls us to constant self-examination regarding our obedience and encourages humility in recognizing our limitations before our Creator.
Related Ayahs
فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ أَنِ ٱصْنَعِ ٱلْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ ٱلتَّنُّورُ ۙ فَٱسْلُكْ فِيهَا مِن كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقَوْلُ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تُخَـٰطِبْنِى فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ ۖ إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ
So We inspired to him, "Construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration, and when Our command comes and the oven overflows, put into it [i.e., the ship] from each [creature] two mates and your family, except him for whom the decree [of destruction] has proceeded. And do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are to be drowned.
فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ
[Allāh said], "Then set out with My servants by night. Indeed, you are to be pursued.
وَإِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَأَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمْ فَٱتَّقُونِ
And indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so fear Me."
وَأَنِ ٱعْبُدُونِى ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ
And that you worship [only] Me? This is a straight path.