وَلَا تَقْعُدُوا۟ بِكُلِّ صِرَٰطٍ تُوعِدُونَ وَتَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِهِۦ وَتَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا ۚ وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ كُنتُمْ قَلِيلًا فَكَثَّرَكُمْ ۖ وَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ 86
Translations
And do not sit on every path, threatening and averting from the way of Allāh those who believe in Him, seeking to make it [seem] deviant. And remember when you were few and He increased you. And see how was the end of the corrupters.
Transliteration
Wa lā taqʿudū bi-kulli ṣirāṭin tuʿīdūn wa-taṣiddūn ʿan sabīli -llāhi man āman bihī wa-tabghawnāhā ʿiwajan wa-dhkurū idh kuntum qalīlan fa-kaththarakum wa-nẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu -l-mufsidīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns the Quraysh's practice of sitting on every road to threaten and intimidate believers, trying to turn them away from Allah's path and seeking to make that path crooked. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a direct rebuke of the Meccan polytheists' organized efforts to persecute Muslims and prevent conversions. The verse concludes with a reminder of Allah's grace in increasing their numbers despite persecution, and a warning to observe the fate of previous corruptors.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Prophet Shu'ayb's address to the people of Madyan (Midian), but applies directly to the Quraysh's persecution of early Muslims in Mecca. The broader context of Surah Al-A'raf (Meccan) deals with the stories of various prophets and their peoples' rejection, serving as a warning to the Meccans about the consequences of opposing the divine message and the messenger.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim (1771) reports that the Prophet said, 'The greatest jihad is a word of justice before a tyrannical ruler.' This relates to resisting oppression and standing firm in faith despite intimidation, as exemplified in this ayah's condemnation of those who use threats to deter believers.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should remain steadfast despite intimidation and social pressure used by opponents of faith, trusting in Allah's promise to increase and protect His community. The lesson reminds us that opposition to truth often manifests through organized suppression and social coercion, yet Allah's plan ultimately prevails and the fate of those who spread corruption is destruction.