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
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقُولُوا۟ رَٰعِنَا وَقُولُوا۟ ٱنظُرْنَا وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ ۗ وَلِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
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.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous -
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِصَاصُ فِى ٱلْقَتْلَى ۖ ٱلْحُرُّ بِٱلْحُرِّ وَٱلْعَبْدُ بِٱلْعَبْدِ وَٱلْأُنثَىٰ بِٱلْأُنثَىٰ ۚ فَمَنْ عُفِىَ لَهُۥ مِنْ أَخِيهِ شَىْءٌ فَٱتِّبَاعٌۢ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَأَدَآءٌ إِلَيْهِ بِإِحْسَـٰنٍ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ تَخْفِيفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۗ فَمَنِ ٱعْتَدَىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَهُۥ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
O you who have believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother [i.e., the killer] anything, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him [i.e., the deceased's heir or legal representative] with good conduct. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. But whoever transgresses after that will have a painful punishment.
ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَـٰكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَوْتِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
Then We revived you after your death that perhaps you would be grateful.