إِلَّا بَلَـٰغًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِسَـٰلَـٰتِهِۦ ۚ وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا 23
Translations
But [I have for you] only notification from Allāh, and His messages." And whoever disobeys Allāh and His Messenger - then indeed, for him is the fire of Hell; they will abide therein forever.
Transliteration
Illa balāghan min-Allāhi wa-rasālātih. Wa-man yaʿsī Allāha wa-rasūlahu fa-inna lahu nāra jahannam khālidīn fīhā abadā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that the Prophet's sole duty is to convey Allah's message and revelations clearly to mankind, without adding or diminishing anything. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger faces eternal punishment in Hell, establishing the severe consequence of rejecting the divine message after it has been clearly communicated.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Jinn was revealed in Mecca during the Prophet's ministry and addresses both jinn and humans. This particular ayah concludes the surah by clarifying the Prophet's role as a mere messenger tasked with conveying Allah's word, not with compelling belief or guaranteeing outcomes—themes central to the Prophet's reassurance during Meccan opposition.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'I have been sent with the shortest messages having the widest meanings' (Sahih Bukhari 98:233), emphasizing the completeness of his message. Additionally, 'Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah' (Sahih Muslim 4:2144) underscores the inseparability of obeying the Prophet and obeying Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Each individual bears personal accountability before Allah for accepting or rejecting the clear message that has been delivered. The ayah reminds us that the Prophet's responsibility is only to communicate truthfully, and our eternal salvation or damnation depends on our own conscious choice to obey or disobey Allah and His Messenger.