فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تُطِعْ مِنْهُمْ ءَاثِمًا أَوْ كَفُورًا 24
Translations
So be patient for the decision of your Lord and do not obey from among them a sinner or ungrateful [disbeliever].
Transliteration
Fasbir li-hukmi rabbika wa-la tuti minhumma athiman aw kafura
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to exercise patience in adhering to Allah's divine judgment and decree, while explicitly forbidding him from obeying those among his people who are sinners (athimun) or deniers of truth (kafurun). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this is an instruction to remain steadfast in the faith regardless of opposition from the disbelievers and transgressors, emphasizing that obedience to Allah supersedes all other loyalties. Al-Qurtubi notes that this command extends to all believers, instructing them to prioritize divine guidance over human influence, particularly from those whose character is defined by sin and disbelief.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Insan was revealed in Madinah during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet from both hypocrites and disbelievers. This ayah occurs within the broader context of the surah, which emphasizes patience (sabr) and steadfastness in faith—themes that recur throughout the surah (verses 24-26 form a concluding exhortation). The command reflects the challenges the Muslim community faced in maintaining their faith amid social and familial pressure to abandon Islam.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim (2406) where the Prophet said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family,' relates thematically to prioritizing divine principles over familial or social pressure. Additionally, the concept of sabr (patience) is extensively mentioned in Sahih Bukhari (5058), where the Prophet states that patience is a light.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that steadfast adherence to Allah's commands requires both patience and the courage to resist negative influences, regardless of social or familial bonds. For modern readers, it emphasizes that true success lies in following divine principles rather than conforming to the values of those whose actions contradict faith and morality.