يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَلَا تَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَنتُمْ تَسْمَعُونَ 20
Translations
O you who have believed, obey Allāh and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear [his order].
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu ati'u Allaha wa rasulahu wa la tawallaw 'anhu wa antum tasma'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to obey Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) and warns against turning away from His guidance while hearing it. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that obedience to the Messenger is inseparable from obedience to Allah, as the Prophet conveys the divine message. The phrase 'while you are hearing' (wa antum tasma'un) carries particular weight, as it condemns willful rejection despite clear understanding, making the sin of turning away more grave when done knowingly.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah during the early period of Islamic state-building, this ayah is part of Surah Al-Anfal's broader context regarding the Battle of Badr and the establishment of Muslim authority. It addresses believers at a critical juncture when obedience to the Prophet's command was essential for the survival and cohesion of the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever obeys me obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me disobeys Allah' (Sahih Bukhari 7137). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), emphasizing the importance of hearing and heeding the Message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that obedience to Allah's Messenger is a fundamental pillar of faith, and that hearing the truth without acting upon it is a form of rebellion against Allah. For modern believers, it underscores the importance of not merely listening passively to Islamic knowledge but actively implementing it in daily life.