إِنَّا هَدَيْنَـٰهُ ٱلسَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا 3
Translations
Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful.
Transliteration
Innā hadaynāhu as-sabīl, immā shākiran wa immā kafūrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that Allah has guided humanity to the straight path, and each person will choose to be either grateful (shākir) or ungrateful (kafūr) in their response to this guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that while Allah provides clear guidance to all humans, the ultimate choice between gratitude and ingratitude rests with the individual, making this ayah a profound statement on human free will within divine guidance. The verse establishes personal accountability—guidance is universal, but the response to it determines one's spiritual station.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Insan (Chapter 76) is a Medinan surah that reflects on human nature, creation, and the consequences of choices in this life and the afterlife. This particular ayah appears in the context of describing humanity's creation and inherent capacity for choice, emphasizing that Allah's guidance is comprehensive but responses vary based on individual will and character.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Every child is born in a state of fitrah (natural disposition), then his parents make him Jewish, Christian, or Zoroastrian'—relating to the theme of guidance being available to all, but the path chosen depends on individual and environmental factors. Additionally, a hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi addresses gratitude as a means of increasing blessings, directly connecting to the concept of being 'shākir' (grateful).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that receiving divine guidance is a blessing given to all humanity, but our spiritual success depends on our conscious choice to be grateful for it and follow it. We should recognize that our gratitude or ingratitude is not hidden from Allah and has direct consequences for our souls and destiny.