وَإِن تُكَذِّبُوا۟ فَقَدْ كَذَّبَ أُمَمٌ مِّن قَبْلِكُمْ ۖ وَمَا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ 18
Translations
And if you [people] deny [the message] - already nations before you have denied. And there is not upon the Messenger except [the duty of] clear notification.
Transliteration
Wa-in tukadhdhihu faqad kadhdhaba umamun min qablikum wa-ma 'ala ar-rasuli illa al-balagh al-mubin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah consoles Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by reminding him that rejection of the message is not unprecedented—many nations before rejected their messengers, yet the messenger's duty remains only to convey the message clearly. Ibn Kathir notes this verse emphasizes that the Prophet's responsibility is limited to clear communication of the Qur'an, not to force belief, as guidance is ultimately from Allah alone. Al-Qurtubi highlights that this provides solace during times of persecution and rejection the Prophet faced in Mecca.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet's message. This surah was revealed when the Meccans rejected the Prophet's call, and this particular ayah contextualizes their rejection within the broader pattern of human history where previous nations also denied their messengers. It serves to strengthen the Prophet's resolve and comfort the believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them' (Sahih Bukhari 2652), illustrating how even the best generation faced rejection. Also related: 'There is no messenger whom Allah sent but that some of his people believed and some disbelieved' (Sahih Muslim 152).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers facing opposition or mockery for their faith should remember that rejection of divine messages is not personal failure but a recurring pattern in human history; our responsibility is only to convey the message with clarity and sincerity, while leaving the outcome to Allah's wisdom.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allāh is with the doers of good.
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ
If you asked them, "Who created the heavens and earth and subjected the sun and the moon?" they would surely say, "Allāh." Then how are they deluded?
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَنُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَحْسَنَ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
And those who believe and do righteous deeds - We will surely remove from them their misdeeds and will surely reward them according to the best of what they used to do.
وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا ۖ وَإِن جَـٰهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِى مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَآ ۚ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.