قُلْ كُلٌّ يَعْمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِۦ فَرَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ هُوَ أَهْدَىٰ سَبِيلًا 84
Translations
Say, "Each works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way."
Transliteration
Qul kullun ya'malu 'ala shakilatih, fa-rabbukum a'lamu biman huwa ahda sabila
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah conveys that each person acts according to their own nature, disposition, and capabilities. Allah Most High alone knows who is truly upon the guided path. The classical scholars, including Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, interpret this as a response to those who dispute about religious matters—emphasizing that while humans may differ in their approaches and understanding, only Allah possesses complete knowledge of who truly follows guidance (hidayah) and walks the straight path (sirat al-mustaqim).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan surah dealing with divine signs and the consequences of belief and disbelief. The verse is part of a section addressing disputes among people of different faiths and dispositions. It serves as a reminder to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and believers that judgment of hearts and true guidance rests solely with Allah, not with human speculation.
Related Hadiths
The hadith 'Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whoever He allows to go astray, none can guide' (Sahih Muslim 2647) echoes the theme that guidance is ultimately from Allah. Additionally, the hadith 'Every soul shall taste death, and we test you with evil and with good as trial' (Quran 21:35, referenced in Sahih Bukhari 4773) relates to how different dispositions handle their circumstances.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to avoid arrogance in judging others' faith and spiritual state, recognizing that only Allah knows the true condition of hearts. It encourages humility and reminds us that our role is to strive according to our capacity while trusting Allah's ultimate wisdom in distinguishing the guided from the misguided.