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
لِّلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَإِن تُبْدُوا۟ مَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ يُحَاسِبْكُم بِهِ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَيَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
To Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allāh will bring you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills, and Allāh is over all things competent.
وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا ۚ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِٱلْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةً مِّنَ ٱلْمَالِ ۚ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُۥ بَسْطَةً فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ وَٱلْجِسْمِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤْتِى مُلْكَهُۥ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, Allāh has sent to you Saul as a king." They said, "How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?" He said, "Indeed, Allāh has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allāh gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing."
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allāh -
فَإِنِ ٱنتَهَوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And if they cease, then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.