فَذَكِّرْ إِن نَّفَعَتِ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ 9
Translations
So remind, if the reminder should benefit;
Transliteration
Fa-dhakkir in nafa'at al-dhikra
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to remind and exhort the people, with the understanding that reminders only benefit those whom Allah has willed to benefit. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a balanced instruction: the Prophet's duty is to convey and remind, but ultimate guidance rests with Allah alone. This teaches that preachers and teachers should fulfill their responsibility to advise others while accepting that not everyone will heed the message.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the concluding section of Surah Al-A'la, which was revealed in Mecca during the early period of the Prophet's mission. The surah emphasizes Allah's greatness and the duty of remembrance (dhikr). This particular ayah contextualizes the Prophet's role as a messenger: his responsibility is to remind and preach, but acceptance of the message depends on Allah's will and the receptiveness of the listener's heart.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward similar to one who did it' (Sahih Muslim 1893), which reflects the theme of reminding others for their benefit.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims are encouraged to share Islamic knowledge and reminders with others, understanding that while they bear the responsibility to convey the message sincerely, ultimate acceptance and guidance belong to Allah alone. This liberates one from despair when advice is rejected, and motivates continued effort knowing that even one person benefiting is valuable in Allah's sight.