Al-An'am · Ayah 15

قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ 15

Translations

Say, "Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."

Transliteration

Qul inni akhafu in 'asaytu rabbi 'adhaba yawmin 'adhim

Tafsir (Explanation)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is commanded to declare that he fears the punishment of the Day of Judgment if he were to disobey his Lord, emphasizing his complete submission and fear of Allah despite his status as a messenger. This statement demonstrates the utmost piety and humility before Allah, showing that even the greatest servant of Allah prioritizes obedience and fears divine retribution. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah establishes that fear of Allah (taqwa) is the foundation of all righteous action, and it refutes any claims that the Prophet acted from personal desire rather than divine command.

Revelation Context

This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-An'am, which addresses the polytheists' objections to monotheism. The Prophet is responding to their claims and challenges by asserting his unwavering commitment to obedience and submission to Allah alone, using his own fear of divine punishment as an example of true faith rather than a weakness.

Related Hadiths

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave towards people with good character' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, Aisha reported that the Prophet said regarding this ayah: 'Do you not know that I fear Allah more than you fear Allah' (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).

Themes

Divine Fear (Taqwa)Obedience to AllahProphetic HumilityThe Day of JudgmentDivine PunishmentSubmission to Allah's Will

Key Lesson

This ayah teaches that true strength lies in fearing Allah and maintaining obedience, regardless of one's position or status—even the Prophet prioritized adherence to divine commands above all worldly considerations. For believers today, it serves as a powerful reminder that consciousness of Allah and fear of His judgment should motivate ethical behavior and spiritual vigilance in all aspects of life.

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Related Ayahs

6:6Al-An'am

أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ مَّكَّنَّـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّكُمْ وَأَرْسَلْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْهِم مِّدْرَارًا وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرَ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمْ فَأَهْلَكْنَـٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَأَنشَأْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا ءَاخَرِينَ

Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them which We had established upon the earth as We have not established you? And We sent [rain from] the sky upon them in showers and made rivers flow beneath them; then We destroyed them for their sins and brought forth after them a generation of others.

6:63Al-An'am

قُلْ مَن يُنَجِّيكُم مِّن ظُلُمَـٰتِ ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ تَدْعُونَهُۥ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً لَّئِنْ أَنجَىٰنَا مِنْ هَـٰذِهِۦ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ

Say, "Who rescues you from the darknesses of the land and sea [when] you call upon Him imploring [aloud] and privately, 'If He should save us from this [crisis], we will surely be among the thankful.'"

6:62Al-An'am

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.

6:102Al-An'am

ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ خَـٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَكِيلٌ

That is Allāh, your Lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things.