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
وَذَرُوا۟ ظَـٰهِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَبَاطِنَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ ٱلْإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَقْتَرِفُونَ
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.
قُلْ أَنَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُنَا وَلَا يَضُرُّنَا وَنُرَدُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَابِنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ كَٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَهْوَتْهُ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَيْرَانَ لَهُۥٓ أَصْحَـٰبٌ يَدْعُونَهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَى ٱئْتِنَا ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ هُوَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ ۖ وَأُمِرْنَا لِنُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Say, "Shall we invoke instead of Allāh that which neither benefits us nor harms us and be turned back on our heels after Allāh has guided us? [We would then be] like one whom the devils enticed [to wander] upon the earth confused, [while] he has companions inviting him to guidance, [calling], 'Come to us.'" Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allāh is the [only] guidance; and we have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.
لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُۥ ۖ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims."
وَمَا تَأْتِيهِم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍ مِّنْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ
And no sign comes to them from the signs of their Lord except that they turn away therefrom.