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
قُلْ إِنِّى عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى وَكَذَّبْتُم بِهِۦ ۚ مَا عِندِى مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۖ يَقُصُّ ٱلْحَقَّ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلْفَـٰصِلِينَ
Say, "Indeed, I am on clear evidence from my Lord, and you have denied it. I do not have that for which you are impatient. The decision is only for Allāh. He relates the truth, and He is the best of deciders."
إِنِّى وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِىَ لِلَّذِى فَطَرَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Indeed, I have turned my face [i.e., self] toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allāh."
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ وَلِيَقُولُوا۟ دَرَسْتَ وَلِنُبَيِّنَهُۥ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
And thus do We diversify the verses so they [i.e., the disbelievers] will say, "You have studied," and so We may make it [i.e., the Qur’ān] clear for a people who know.
وَجَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ ٱلْجِنَّ وَخَلَقَهُمْ ۖ وَخَرَقُوا۟ لَهُۥ بَنِينَ وَبَنَـٰتٍۭ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
But they have attributed to Allāh partners - the jinn, while He has created them - and have fabricated for Him sons and daughters without knowledge. Exalted is He and high above what they describe.