فَٱصْدَعْ بِمَا تُؤْمَرُ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ 94
Translations
Then declare what you are commanded and turn away from the polytheists.
Transliteration
Fasdaʿ bima tuʾmaru wa-aʿrid ʿani al-mushrikīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to proclaim the message of Allah with clarity and conviction, while turning away from the idolaters who reject the truth. Ibn Kathir explains that 'fasdaʿ' (proclaim openly) emphasizes boldness and directness in conveying the divine message, and 'aʿrid' (turn away) means to ignore their mockery, opposition, and pressure to compromise. Al-Tabari notes this directive was given to strengthen the Prophet's resolve during the Meccan period when the polytheists were intensely hostile to his message.
Revelation Context
Revealed during the Meccan period when the Prophet faced severe opposition and ridicule from the Quraysh. This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Hijr's discussion of the Prophet's patience and the rejection of previous messengers, serving to reassure Muhammad that his duty is only to deliver the message clearly, not to force acceptance upon those who refuse.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3614) where the Prophet said, 'The best jihad is a word of truth before a tyrannical ruler,' reflects the spirit of this command to speak truth boldly. Additionally, the principle mentioned in Surah An-Nur (24:54): 'Say: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger' emphasizes the Prophet's role in clear proclamation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that fulfilling one's religious duty requires both boldness in truth-telling and emotional detachment from those who reject it—our responsibility is to convey the message clearly, not to control others' acceptance. In modern contexts, this reminds us to stand firm in our convictions while maintaining dignity and not becoming bitter toward those who disagree.
Related Ayahs
وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوْعِدُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all.
وَقَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلذِّكْرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجْنُونٌ
And they say, "O you upon whom the message has been sent down, indeed you are mad.
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلْصَـٰلٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ
And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud.
فَأَسْرِ بِأَهْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱتَّبِعْ أَدْبَـٰرَهُمْ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ وَٱمْضُوا۟ حَيْثُ تُؤْمَرُونَ
So set out with your family during a portion of the night and follow behind them and let not anyone among you look back and continue on to where you are commanded."