وَلَآ أَنتُمْ عَـٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ 3
Translations
Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.
Transliteration
wa-lā antum ʿābidūna mā aʿbud
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms the fundamental spiritual separation between the believers and the disbelievers, stating that the disbelievers do not worship what the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) worships. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a declaration of incompatibility in religious practice and belief—the disbelievers of Mecca rejected monotheistic worship of Allah alone, while the Prophet advocated for pure Tawhid (Divine Oneness). This verse establishes that there can be no middle ground or compromise in matters of religious doctrine and practice.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Meccan period, likely in response to the Quraysh's attempts to negotiate a compromise with the Prophet Muhammad—they suggested he worship their gods while they acknowledge his. The context shows the Quraysh's persistent pressure for syncretism, making this surah a clear rejection of any blending of Islamic monotheism with polytheistic practices.
Related Hadiths
The principle embodied here relates to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said, 'The best speech is the Book of Allah,' indicating the clarity and finality of Quranic teachings on matters of faith. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah records that the Prophet emphasized complete separation from idolatrous practices.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims to maintain unwavering commitment to Islamic principles without compromise, reminding them that true faith requires complete dedication to worshipping Allah alone. For modern believers, it emphasizes the importance of not diluting Islamic practice or belief through cultural assimilation or secular pressures that contradict core Islamic teachings.