ٱلَّذِينَ يُبَلِّغُونَ رِسَـٰلَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَخْشَوْنَهُۥ وَلَا يَخْشَوْنَ أَحَدًا إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ حَسِيبًا 39
Translations
[Allāh praises] those who convey the messages of Allāh and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allāh. And sufficient is Allāh as Accountant.
Transliteration
Al-ladhīna yuballighūna risālāti Allāhi wa-yakhshawnahū wa-lā yakhshawna aḥadan illā Allāh. Wa-kafā bi-Allāhi ḥasībā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the qualities of the prophets and truthful messengers—those who convey Allah's messages completely without fear or favor, fearing only Allah and no other creation. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse emphasizes that true messengers prioritize their duty to Allah above all worldly pressures, and Allah Himself is sufficient as a witness and reckoner of their deeds. Al-Qurtubi notes this reflects the characteristic of complete sincerity (ikhlāṣ) required of those entrusted with divine revelation.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina during the Battle of the Confederates (Ghazwat al-Aḥzāb), this ayah is part of a passage discussing the qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and those who follow his example. The broader context of Surah Al-Ahzab addresses trials faced by the Muslim community and reinforces the importance of unwavering faith and duty to Allah despite external pressures and threats.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best jihad is a word of truth spoken in front of a tyrant ruler' (Sunan Ibn Mājah, Sunan at-Tirmidhī). Additionally, the hadith: 'Fear Allah wherever you are; follow a bad deed with a good deed and it will wipe it out' emphasizes the centrality of fearing only Allah (Sunan at-Tirmidhī).
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith requires courage to uphold divine truth without fear of human judgment or consequences—our ultimate accountability is to Allah alone. This ayah calls believers to examine whether they prioritize divine pleasure over worldly acceptance, inspiring steadfastness in conveying truth and living according to Islamic principles despite social or political pressure.
Related Ayahs
مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًا
Muḥammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allāh and seal [i.e., last] of the prophets. And ever is Allāh, of all things, Knowing.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَدْخُلُوا۟ بُيُوتَ ٱلنَّبِىِّ إِلَّآ أَن يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ إِلَىٰ طَعَامٍ غَيْرَ نَـٰظِرِينَ إِنَىٰهُ وَلَـٰكِنْ إِذَا دُعِيتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوا۟ فَإِذَا طَعِمْتُمْ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ وَلَا مُسْتَـْٔنِسِينَ لِحَدِيثٍ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ يُؤْذِى ٱلنَّبِىَّ فَيَسْتَحْىِۦ مِنكُمْ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَـٰعًا فَسْـَٔلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَآءِ حِجَابٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُؤْذُوا۟ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَن تَنكِحُوٓا۟ أَزْوَٰجَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمًا
O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allāh is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allāh or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allāh an enormity.
وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِۦ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا
And one who invites to Allāh, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ سَعِيرًا
Indeed, Allāh has cursed the disbelievers and prepared for them a Blaze.