وَإِن كَانَ طَآئِفَةٌ مِّنكُمْ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِۦ وَطَآئِفَةٌ لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ فَٱصْبِرُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَحْكُمَ ٱللَّهُ بَيْنَنَا ۚ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ 87
Translations
And if there should be a group among you who has believed in that with which I have been sent and a group that has not believed, then be patient until Allāh judges between us. And He is the best of judges."
Transliteration
Wa-in kana ta'ifatun minkum amanu bi-alladhi ursilt bihi wa-ta'ifatun lam yu'minu, fa-sbiru hatta yahkum Allahu baynanaa, wa-huwa khayru al-hakimeen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Prophet and believers, instructing them to exercise patience when their community is divided between believers and disbelievers regarding the message brought by the Prophet. The verse reassures that Allah alone is the ultimate Judge and will settle all disputes with perfect justice, transcending human judgment. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize this as Divine counsel to the Prophet to remain steadfast despite societal division, trusting in Allah's eventual vindication of truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-A'raf, which discusses the spiritual division among communities throughout history. It reflects the Meccan period when the Prophet faced rejection from the Quraysh while some believed in his message. The ayah is part of the narrative about Shu'ayb's advice to his people (verses 85-93), illustrating a recurring pattern in Islamic history where prophets faced similar trials of societal division.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it,' reflecting the importance of steadfastness in conveying truth despite opposition. Also relevant is a hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi where the Prophet counseled patience during trials, stating that patience is 'a light' (noor).
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing opposition or societal division regarding faith, believers should cultivate patience and trust in Allah's ultimate judgment rather than despair, knowing that God's decision is supremely just. This teaches that conviction in truth does not depend on immediate worldly acceptance, but on submission to Divine wisdom.
Related Ayahs
سَنَفْرُغُ لَكُمْ أَيُّهَ ٱلثَّقَلَانِ
We will attend to you, O prominent beings.
لِيُكَفِّرَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَسْوَأَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِيَهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
That Allāh may remove from them the worst of what they did and reward them their due for the best of what they used to do.
يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
He knows what is within the heavens and earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare. And Allāh is Knowing of that within the breasts.
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّى عَـٰمِلٌ ۖ سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَمَنْ هُوَ كَـٰذِبٌ ۖ وَٱرْتَقِبُوٓا۟ إِنِّى مَعَكُمْ رَقِيبٌ
And O my people, work according to your position; indeed, I am working. You are going to know to whom will come a punishment that will disgrace him and who is a liar. So watch; indeed, I am with you a watcher, [awaiting the outcome]."