لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ 22
Translations
You are not over them a controller.
Transliteration
Lasta 'alayhim bimusaytir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah clarifies that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not a compeller or controller over people's beliefs and actions. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'musaytir' (مُصَيْطِرٌ) means one who overpowers or forces others, emphasizing that guidance is Allah's responsibility while the Prophet's role is to convey the message clearly. This reassures the Prophet during the Meccan period when many rejected his message, establishing that faith cannot be coerced but must come from sincere hearts.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Ghashiyah's discussion of different responses to the Quranic message. The broader context addresses those who reject the message and the Prophet's frustration with disbelief, reminding him that his duty is only to communicate clearly, not to force acceptance—a frequent theme in Meccan surahs addressing the Prophet's struggles with rejection.
Related Hadiths
The principle reflected here aligns with Quran 2:256 'There is no compulsion in religion' and the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said, 'I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger,' showing that while spreading Islam is obligatory, forcing belief itself is impossible and prohibited.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims must accept that while we are obligated to convey Islamic teachings with wisdom and compassion, we cannot force others to believe—this releases us from the burden of others' disbelief and reminds us that sincere faith must emerge from each person's own conscious choice and divine guidance.