وَأَنذِرْ بِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ ۙ لَيْسَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ وَلِىٌّ وَلَا شَفِيعٌ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ 51
Translations
And warn by it [i.e., the Qur’ān] those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord - for them besides Him will be no protector and no intercessor - that they might become righteous.
Transliteration
Wa anzir bihi alladhina yakhafuna an yuhsharau ila rabbihim; laysa lahum min dunithi waliyyun wa la shafi'un la'allahum yattaqun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to warn those who fear the Day of Judgment and standing before their Lord, emphasizing that on that day no one will have a protector or intercessor besides Allah to save them from His judgment. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this warning is specifically directed at those whose hearts possess taqwa (God-consciousness), as they are most receptive to admonition, and the mention of lacking protectors and intercessors is meant to increase their fear of Allah and motivate them toward righteousness and obedience.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-An'am is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense persecution of early Muslims. This ayah appears within a section addressing the Prophet's duty to warn humanity about the Day of Judgment and divine accountability, emphasizing that ultimate protection comes only from Allah, not from worldly wealth, status, or human relationships.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best remembrance is 'La ilaha illallah' (there is no deity except Allah)' - related by At-Tirmidhi. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet emphasized the reality of the Day of Judgment and that no one can intercede except with Allah's permission.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true security and protection lie only in one's relationship with Allah, not in worldly connections or status, and that the consciousness of standing alone before Allah on the Day of Judgment should motivate believers toward constant piety and moral accountability in their daily lives.