وَلَا تَسُبُّوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَدْوًۢا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ زَيَّنَّا لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ عَمَلَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِم مَّرْجِعُهُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ 108
Translations
And do not insult those they invoke other than Allāh, lest they insult Allāh in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them about what they used to do.
Transliteration
Wa laa tasubbu allatheena yad'una min duni Allahi fayasubbu Allaha 'adwan bighayri 'ilm. Kathalika zayyanna li kulli ummatin 'amalahum thumma ila rabbihim marji'uhum fayunabbi'uhum bima kanu ya'malun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah forbids believers from insulting or reviling the idols and false deities worshipped by non-believers, lest they retaliate by insulting Allah in ignorant hostility. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this prohibition prioritizes wisdom and da'wah methodology over confrontation, recognizing that such provocations could lead to greater harm. The ayah concludes by affirming that Allah has allowed each community to be beautified with their deeds in their own sight, yet ultimately all will return to Him for judgment, emphasizing that accountability rests with Allah alone.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during a period of intense religious conflict between the Muslims and the pagan Quraysh. This ayah provides guidance on how believers should conduct themselves in dialogue with polytheists, emphasizing restraint and wisdom rather than aggressive denunciation of their beliefs. It reflects the Quranic principle of balanced da'wah that avoids unnecessary provocation while maintaining Islamic principles.
Related Hadiths
The principle of wisdom in da'wah is supported by the hadith: 'Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction' (16:125). Additionally, Muslim reported from Jabir ibn Abdullah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best jihad is a word of truth before a tyrant,' emphasizing the importance of wise communication.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must exercise wisdom and restraint when engaging with those of different faiths, avoiding insults or provocations that may backfire and harm the cause of Islam. Ultimately, all people will face divine judgment for their deeds, making patience and intelligent communication more effective than hostile confrontation.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ هَلُمَّ شُهَدَآءَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشْهَدُونَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ حَرَّمَ هَـٰذَا ۖ فَإِن شَهِدُوا۟ فَلَا تَشْهَدْ مَعَهُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Bring forward your witnesses who will testify that Allāh has prohibited this." And if they testify, do not testify with them. And do not follow the desires of those who deny Our verses and those who do not believe in the Hereafter, while they equate [others] with their Lord.
وَمَا نُرْسِلُ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ ۖ فَمَنْ ءَامَنَ وَأَصْلَحَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
And We send not the messengers except as bringers of good tidings and warners. So whoever believes and reforms - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
وَلِكُلٍّ دَرَجَـٰتٌ مِّمَّا عَمِلُوا۟ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ
And for all are degrees [i.e., positions resulting] from what they have done. And your Lord is not unaware of what they do.
ثُمَّ رُدُّوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَوْلَىٰهُمُ ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلْحُكْمُ وَهُوَ أَسْرَعُ ٱلْحَـٰسِبِينَ
Then they [i.e., His servants] are returned to Allāh, their true Lord. Unquestionably, His is the judgement, and He is the swiftest of accountants.