وَإِن كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكَ إِعْرَاضُهُمْ فَإِنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتَ أَن تَبْتَغِىَ نَفَقًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَوْ سُلَّمًا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَتَأْتِيَهُم بِـَٔايَةٍ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَمَعَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ ۚ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ 35
Translations
And if their evasion is difficult for you, then if you are able to seek a tunnel into the earth or a stairway into the sky to bring them a sign, [then do so]. But if Allāh had willed, He would have united them upon guidance. So never be of the ignorant.
Transliteration
Wa-in kana kabura 'alayka i'raduhum fa-ini staṭa'ta an tabtaghi nafaqan fi al-ardi aw sullaman fi al-sama'i fatatiyhim bi-ayah. Wa-law sha'a Allahu la-jama'ahum 'ala al-huda. Fala takunnanna mina al-jahilin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Prophet's (ﷺ) distress at the Meccan polytheists' rejection and turning away from his message. Allah consoles him by clarifying that even if he could miraculously tunnel through the earth or ascend a ladder to the sky to bring them a sign, their guidance ultimately depends on Allah's will—not on extraordinary miracles. The concluding warning instructs the Prophet not to despair like the ignorant, emphasizing that his duty is to convey the message, while guidance and misguidance rest with Allah alone.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-An'am (revealed in Mecca) and addresses the Prophet's emotional burden during the early Meccan period when the Quraysh persistently rejected his message despite clear signs. It serves as divine consolation and wisdom regarding the nature of prophethood and divine will, reminding the Prophet that miraculous signs alone cannot override human free will.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim records the Prophet's (ﷺ) statement: 'The most difficult day of my life was the day of Uhud,' reflecting his deep concern for his people's guidance. Additionally, Surah 10:99 contains a related principle: 'And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed—all of them together. Then, would you compel the people in order that they become believers?'
Themes
Key Lesson
True guidance comes from Allah alone, not from extraordinary displays or signs; believers should not despair when their sincere efforts to convey truth are rejected, as this reflects a timeless reality of human choice. The lesson encourages steadfastness in faith without attributing outcomes to oneself, maintaining humility and trust in Divine wisdom.
Related Ayahs
وَلِتَصْغَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ أَفْـِٔدَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَلِيَرْضَوْهُ وَلِيَقْتَرِفُوا۟ مَا هُم مُّقْتَرِفُونَ
And [it is] so the hearts of those who disbelieve in the Hereafter will incline toward it [i.e., deceptive speech] and that they will be satisfied with it and that they will commit that which they are committing.
۞ لَهُمْ دَارُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
For them will be the Home of Peace [i.e., Paradise] with their Lord. And He will be their protecting friend because of what they used to do.
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ وُقِفُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ قَالَ أَلَيْسَ هَـٰذَا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّنَا ۚ قَالَ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
If you could but see when they will be made to stand before their Lord. He will say, "Is this not the truth?" They will say, "Yes, by our Lord." He will [then] say, "So taste the punishment for what you used to deny."
وَزَكَرِيَّا وَيَحْيَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَإِلْيَاسَ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
And Zechariah and John and Jesus and Elias - and all were of the righteous.