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
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِۦ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَقَالَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ لَيْسَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَهُمْ يَتْلُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ۚ فَٱللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
The Jews say, "The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on," and the Christians say, "The Jews have nothing to stand on," although they [both] recite the Scripture. Thus do those who know not [i.e., the polytheists] speak the same as their words. But Allāh will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
فَإِنِ ٱنتَهَوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And if they cease, then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا۟ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease. But if you give [from your right as] charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.