قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْحُجَّةُ ٱلْبَـٰلِغَةُ ۖ فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَىٰكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ 149
Translations
Say, "With Allāh is the far-reaching [i.e., conclusive] argument. If He had willed, He would have guided you all."
Transliteration
Qul falillāhi al-ḥujjatu al-bālighah, falaw shāʾa lahadākum ajmaʿīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that all decisive proof and irrefutable argument belong to Allah alone, and if He had willed, He would have guided all of humanity to the straight path. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse addresses the polytheists' arguments and demonstrates that despite their objections, Allah possesses complete authority and wisdom. The phrase 'al-hujjah al-balighah' (the conclusive proof) emphasizes that Allah's guidance is supreme, and human guidance ultimately depends on divine will rather than mere human reasoning or persuasion.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-An'am, which addresses disputes between the Prophet Muhammad and the Meccan polytheists over monotheism and divine guidance. The verse responds to the objections and arguments raised by disbelievers, reminding them that Allah's proof is complete and His will is absolute. It falls within a series of verses (6:145-149) that conclude discussions about disputes over halal and haram.
Related Hadiths
This ayah relates thematically to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said: 'Everyone is facilitated toward that for which he was created' (Kulla muyassar lima khuliq lahu), emphasizing that guidance and misguidance are according to Allah's will. Additionally, it connects to the hadith about qadar (divine decree) and human responsibility in Sahih Muslim.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that while we are responsible for seeking guidance and submitting to truth, ultimate guidance comes from Allah's will and wisdom—we cannot compel anyone to believe through our arguments alone. It offers solace to believers that their struggle in da'wah (invitation to Islam) succeeds by divine will, not merely human effort, thus freeing them from despair when facing rejection.