وَكَذَّبَ بِهِۦ قَوْمُكَ وَهُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ ۚ قُل لَّسْتُ عَلَيْكُم بِوَكِيلٍ 66
Translations
But your people have denied it while it is the truth. Say, "I am not over you a manager [i.e., authority]."
Transliteration
Wa kadhdhaba bihi qawmuka wa huwa al-haqq. Qul lasta 'alaikum bi-wakil.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses the Prophet Muhammad, informing him that his people denied the Quran despite it being the truth. The Prophet is then commanded to respond by clarifying that he is not a guardian or caretaker over them—he has delivered the message, and their acceptance or rejection is their own responsibility. This ayah emphasizes the Prophet's role as a messenger (muballigh) rather than a compeller of faith, a distinction highlighted by classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the Meccan period when the Quraysh persistently rejected the Prophet's message. It reflects the broader thematic context of Surah Al-An'am, which addresses rejection of monotheism and divine signs. The ayah comes in a section dealing with the disbelievers' denial despite clear evidence, reinforcing the Prophet's duty to convey the message without forcing belief.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3:4697) records the Prophet saying, 'The best jihad is a word of justice before a tyrant ruler,' reflecting the theme of delivering truth despite opposition. Additionally, Surah 88:21-22 complements this: 'So remind, [O Muhammad]; you are only a reminder. You are not over them a manager.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that our responsibility is to convey truth with sincerity and wisdom, not to force others to believe; ultimately, people's hearts and choices rest with Allah. It liberates the believer from the burden of making others accept faith, redirecting focus toward faithful propagation of the message.
Related Ayahs
بَدِيعُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ تَكُن لَّهُۥ صَـٰحِبَةٌ ۖ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
[He is] Originator of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He does not have a companion [i.e., wife] and He created all things? And He is, of all things, Knowing.
ثُمَّ لَمْ تَكُن فِتْنَتُهُمْ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوا۟ وَٱللَّهِ رَبِّنَا مَا كُنَّا مُشْرِكِينَ
Then there will be no [excuse upon] examination except they will say, "By Allāh, our Lord, we were not those who associated."
۞ وَلَوْ أَنَّنَا نَزَّلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ وَكَلَّمَهُمُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَحَشَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ قُبُلًا مَّا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ
And even if We had sent down to them the angels [with the message] and the dead spoke to them [of it] and We gathered together every [created] thing in front of them, they would not believe unless Allāh should will. But most of them, [of that], are ignorant.
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.