إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا ۖ وَلَا تُسْـَٔلُ عَنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ 119
Translations
Indeed, We have sent you, [O Muḥammad], with the truth as a bringer of good tidings and a warner, and you will not be asked about the companions of Hellfire.
Transliteration
Inna arsalnaka bil-haqqi basheeran wa nadheeran wa la tus'alu 'an ashaab al-jaheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah affirms that He has sent the Prophet Muhammad with truth (al-haq) as a bringer of good tidings (bashir) to the believers and a warner (nadhir) to the disbelievers. The second part clarifies that the Prophet is not responsible for the fate of those destined for Hell—his duty is only to convey the message clearly, and accountability rests with those who reject it. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse relieves the Prophet of the burden of forcing faith upon people, as guidance is ultimately from Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the early Medinan period and forms part of the foundational declarations about the Prophet's mission. It comes after the description of the Quran as guidance and establishes the core purpose of prophetic mission: to deliver the message of truth without responsibility for those who refuse it. This theme is central to Surah Al-Baqarah's exposition of Islamic principles.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), reflecting the role of spreading truth. Additionally, 'I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah' (Sahih Muslim 32) illustrates the extent of the Prophet's responsibility—to convey, not to compel belief.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that our responsibility is to convey truth with sincerity and clarity, not to force others to accept it; the outcome of hearts belongs to Allah alone. For the Prophet's followers, it provides comfort that struggling to guide others while they reject the message does not constitute failure in fulfilling our duty.
Related Ayahs
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا ۗ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا ٱلْقِبْلَةَ ٱلَّتِى كُنتَ عَلَيْهَآ إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَن يَتَّبِعُ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِمَّن يَنقَلِبُ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ ۚ وَإِن كَانَتْ لَكَبِيرَةً إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمَـٰنَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِٱلنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And thus We have made you a median [i.e., just] community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you. And We did not make the qiblah which you used to face except that We might make evident who would follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels. And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom Allāh has guided. And never would Allāh have caused you to lose your faith [i.e., your previous prayers]. Indeed Allāh is, to the people, Kind and Merciful.
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُعْجِبُكَ قَوْلُهُۥ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَيُشْهِدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِى قَلْبِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ ٱلْخِصَامِ
And of the people is he whose speech pleases you in worldly life, and he calls Allāh to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the fiercest of opponents.
يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتِىَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَنِّى فَضَّلْتُكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
O Children of Israel, remember My favor that I have bestowed upon you and that I preferred you over the worlds [i.e., peoples].
وَقَالُوا۟ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌۢ ۚ بَل لَّعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَقَلِيلًا مَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And they said, "Our hearts are wrapped." But, [in fact], Allāh has cursed them for their disbelief, so little is it that they believe.