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
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allāh, Lord of the worlds.
بَلْ بَدَا لَهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يُخْفُونَ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَلَوْ رُدُّوا۟ لَعَادُوا۟ لِمَا نُهُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
But what they concealed before has [now] appeared to them. And even if they were returned, they would return to that which they were forbidden; and indeed, they are liars.
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ مَالَ ٱلْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ ۖ وَأَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْكَيْلَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۖ وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَٱعْدِلُوا۟ وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۖ وَبِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْفُوا۟ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best [i.e., intending improvement] until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity. And when you speak [i.e., testify], be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant of Allāh fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِىٍّ عَدُوًّا شَيَـٰطِينَ ٱلْإِنسِ وَٱلْجِنِّ يُوحِى بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ ٱلْقَوْلِ غُرُورًا ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوهُ ۖ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا يَفْتَرُونَ
And thus We have made for every prophet an enemy - devils from mankind and jinn, inspiring to one another decorative speech in delusion. But if your Lord had willed, they would not have done it, so leave them and that which they invent.