فَإِن زَلَلْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْكُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ 209
Translations
But if you slip [i.e., deviate] after clear proofs have come to you, then know that Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.
Transliteration
Fa-in zalaltum min ba'da ma ja'atkumu al-bayyinat fa'lamu anna Allaha 'azizun hakimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns the believers that if they deviate or slip away from the clear signs and proofs that have come to them, they should know that Allah is the Mighty and the All-Wise, whose punishment and wisdom cannot be escaped. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that 'zalaltum' (you have slipped/strayed) refers to turning away from guidance despite its clarity, and that Allah's attributes of 'aziz (mighty/invincible) and hakim (all-wise) underscore that He will certainly take account and His judgment is perfect. The ayah serves as both a warning against negligence and a reminder that rejection of clear truth brings inevitable consequences.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan context of Surah Al-Baqarah, which addresses the believers and hypocrites of Medina. It follows discussions about those who received clear signs yet chose to disbelieve or turn away. The verse is part of a broader passage warning against deviation after clear guidance has been established, relevant to the early Muslim community facing challenges to faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), emphasizing the importance of holding firm to the clear signs. Additionally, the hadith 'Whoever turns away from my Sunnah does not belong to me' (Sahih Bukhari 5063) relates thematically to the warning against straying from established guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Once the truth and clear signs of guidance have reached us, turning away from them is a grave matter with certain consequences, for we cannot escape Allah's perfect wisdom and power. This ayah calls us to steadfast adherence to Islamic guidance and careful introspection about our commitment to the Deen after receiving its proofs.
Related Ayahs
أَوَلَا يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
But do they not know that Allāh knows what they conceal and what they declare?
۞ يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَهِلَّةِ ۖ قُلْ هِىَ مَوَٰقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَٱلْحَجِّ ۗ وَلَيْسَ ٱلْبِرُّ بِأَن تَأْتُوا۟ ٱلْبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ ۗ وَأْتُوا۟ ٱلْبُيُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَٰبِهَا ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
They ask you, [O Muḥammad], about the crescent moons. Say, "They are measurements of time for the people and for ḥajj [pilgrimage]." And it is not righteousness to enter houses from the back, but righteousness is [in] one who fears Allāh. And enter houses from their doors. And fear Allāh that you may succeed.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Indeed, those who have believed and those who have emigrated and fought in the cause of Allāh - those expect the mercy of Allāh. And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَمِنْهُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّآ أَمَانِىَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ
And among them are unlettered ones who do not know the Scripture except [indulgement in] wishful thinking, but they are only assuming.