وَذَرُوا۟ ظَـٰهِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَبَاطِنَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ ٱلْإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَقْتَرِفُونَ 120
Translations
And leave [i.e., desist from] what is apparent of sin and what is concealed thereof. Indeed, those who earn [blame for] sin will be recompensed for that which they used to commit.
Transliteration
Wa dharoo dhahira al-ithmi wa batinahu, inna alladhina yaksbun al-ithma sayujzawna bima kanu yaqtrifun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to abandon sin in all its forms—both the outward, manifest sins and the hidden, concealed ones. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this comprehensive prohibition covers all dimensions of wrongdoing, whether publicly committed or privately harbored. The verse then warns that those who commit and accumulate sins will inevitably face punishment proportionate to their deeds, establishing the divine principle of accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-An'am (a Meccan surah) within the broader context of moral and ethical guidance. It follows discussions about shirk (polytheism) and idolatry, extending the ethical framework to encompass all forms of sin. The surah emphasizes monotheism and righteous conduct as essential components of faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those with the best character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1162). Additionally, the hadith 'Leave what makes you doubt for what does not make you doubt' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2518) relates to avoiding both apparent and hidden transgressions.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers are called to maintain integrity not only in their public conduct but also in their private thoughts and intentions, recognizing that God is aware of all actions. This ayah reminds us that true piety involves a conscious effort to distance ourselves from sin in every dimension of our lives, knowing that every deed carries consequences in the Hereafter.
Related Ayahs
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَـٰتٍ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌۢ
And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَمِنْ ءَابَآئِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِهِمْ وَإِخْوَٰنِهِمْ ۖ وَٱجْتَبَيْنَـٰهُمْ وَهَدَيْنَـٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And [some] among their fathers and their descendants and their brothers - and We chose them and We guided them to a straight path.
أَن تَقُولُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ عَلَىٰ طَآئِفَتَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِنَا وَإِن كُنَّا عَن دِرَاسَتِهِمْ لَغَـٰفِلِينَ
[We revealed it] lest you say, "The Scripture was only sent down to two groups before us, but we were of their study unaware,"
فَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقُل رَّبُّكُمْ ذُو رَحْمَةٍ وَٰسِعَةٍ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُهُۥ عَنِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
So if they deny you, [O Muḥammad], say, "Your Lord is the possessor of vast mercy; but His punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals."