قُلْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ٱلنَّبِىِّ ٱلْأُمِّىِّ ٱلَّذِى يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَٱتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ 158
Translations
Say, [O Muḥammad], "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allāh to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allāh and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allāh and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.
Transliteration
Qul ya ayyuha al-nasu inni rasulu Allah ilaykum jamee'an alladhi lahu mulk al-samawati wa-al-ard la ilaha illa huwa yuhyi wa yumiit fa'aminu bi-Allah wa rasulih al-nabiyy al-ummi alladhi yu'minu bi-Allah wa kalimatih wa-ittabi'uh la'allakum tahtadun
Tafsir (Explanation)
In this ayah, Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to proclaim to all humanity that he is the Messenger of Allah sent to them universally. The ayah establishes Allah's absolute sovereignty over the heavens and earth, His uniqueness as the sole deity, and His power over life and death. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the Prophet's message is addressed to all people—Muslim and non-Muslim—and the call to believe in Allah and His Messenger, particularly noting the significance of describing him as 'al-ummi' (unlettered), is essential for guidance and salvation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period of Surah Al-A'raf and reflects the broader theme of the surah regarding the clear demonstration of truth and the choice between belief and rejection. The universal address ('ya ayyuha al-nasu') emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the Prophet's mission to all people, not merely to the Arabs, reinforcing the universality of Islam as established throughout the Meccan surahs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'I have been sent to the red and the black [i.e., all of humanity]' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet stated: 'Every prophet was sent to his people exclusively, but I have been sent to all of humanity.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Islam is a universal message meant for all of humanity, regardless of background or origin, and that accepting the Prophet Muhammad and believing in Allah are fundamental requirements for finding true guidance in this life and the hereafter. It also reminds us that the foundation of all guidance rests on recognizing Allah's absolute sovereignty and the legitimacy of His messenger's call.