فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ 21
Translations
So remind, [O Muḥammad]; you are only a reminder.
Transliteration
Fa-dhakkir, innama anta mudhakkir
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to remind and preach to the people, clarifying that his role is solely that of a reminder, not a compeller of faith. Ibn Kathir explains that this ayah emphasizes the Prophet's responsibility is to convey the message clearly, while belief and guidance ultimately rest with Allah. Al-Qurtubi notes this conclusion of Surah Al-Ghashiyah serves to console the Prophet regarding those who reject his message, reminding him that his duty is only to remind, not to force acceptance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears at the end of Surah Al-Ghashiyah, a Meccan chapter dealing with the Day of Judgment and its terrifying events. It serves as a closing directive to the Prophet, providing perspective on his prophetic mission during a period of significant rejection in Mecca. The surah's context of warning about the Hereafter transitions into practical guidance about the Prophet's role as a messenger.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'There is no compulsion in religion' (Quran 2:256), which aligns with the principle established here. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet stated: 'I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no deity except Allah,' showing the balance between conveying the message and respecting free will.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that while we are responsible for conveying truth and reminding others of Allah's message, we are not responsible for forcing acceptance—this outcome belongs to Allah alone. This brings peace and reduces despair when our sincere efforts to guide others do not immediately bear fruit.