يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقُولُوا۟ رَٰعِنَا وَقُولُوا۟ ٱنظُرْنَا وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ ۗ وَلِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ 104
Translations
O you who have believed, say not [to Allāh's Messenger], "Rāʿinā" but say, "Unẓurnā" and listen. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la taqulu raʿina wa qulu unzurna waasmaʿu wa lilkafirin ʿadhabun alim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the believers, instructing them to avoid using the word 'raʿina' (which could be interpreted mockingly as 'listen to us' in Hebrew or carry a derogatory meaning) and instead use 'unzurna' (look upon us/be kind to us). The command emphasizes respectful speech when addressing the Prophet Muhammad and following Islamic teachings. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this was a linguistic correction to prevent ambiguity and mockery, with the ayah concluding that disbelievers who deliberately distort meanings and mock the faith will face severe punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina during a period when some Jews and hypocrites were attempting to mock the Prophet and believers through wordplay and linguistic tricks. The Jews in Medina would use the word 'raʿina' (in Hebrew meaning 'our shepherd' or used as an insult), creating confusion and disrespect. This ayah is part of the broader Medinan context addressing social and religious conduct within the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4477) records that Ibn Abbas explained this ayah, noting that the Jews would deliberately use 'raʿina' as a form of mockery. Another related narration in Sahih Muslim discusses how the Prophet corrected inappropriate speech and encouraged respectful communication.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims must be vigilant in maintaining respectful speech and pure intentions, avoiding words that could cause confusion or facilitate mockery of Islam, while also understanding that those who deliberately distort Islamic teachings face divine accountability. This ayah teaches us that ethical communication is essential to faith and that the protection of the Prophet's dignity and Islamic teachings is a collective responsibility.
Related Ayahs
أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُۥ جَنَّةٌ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ لَهُۥ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ وَأَصَابَهُ ٱلْكِبَرُ وَلَهُۥ ذُرِّيَّةٌ ضُعَفَآءُ فَأَصَابَهَآ إِعْصَارٌ فِيهِ نَارٌ فَٱحْتَرَقَتْ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ
Would one of you like to have a garden of palm trees and grapevines underneath which rivers flow in which he has from every fruit? But he is afflicted with old age and has weak [i.e., immature] offspring, and it is hit by a whirlwind containing fire and is burned. Thus does Allāh make clear to you [His] verses that you might give thought.
وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُعْتَدِينَ
Fight in the way of Allāh those who fight against you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allāh does not like transgressors.
وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَن يُقْتَلُ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتٌۢ ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَشْعُرُونَ
And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allāh, "They are dead." Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not.
لِلْفُقَرَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ ٱلْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَـٰهُمْ لَا يَسْـَٔلُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ
[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allāh, unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it.