Al-Ma'idah · Ayah 67

۞ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ 67

Translations

O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allāh will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allāh does not guide the disbelieving people.

Transliteration

Ya ayyuha ar-rasulu balligh ma unzila ilayka min rabbika wa-in lam taf'al fama ballahta risalatahu wa-allahu ya'simuka mina an-nas inna allaha la yahdee al-qawma al-kafirin

Tafsir (Explanation)

Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad to convey the complete message revealed to him from his Lord, emphasizing that failure to do so would mean he has not truly fulfilled his prophetic mission. The ayah assures the Prophet of divine protection from harm by people, while affirming that Allah does not guide disbelievers. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this verse emphasizes the Prophet's obligation to deliver all divine guidance without omission or fear, establishing the foundational principle that a messenger's duty is complete and comprehensive conveyance.

Revelation Context

This ayah was revealed in the final period of the Prophet's life, likely during the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wida'), and is understood by many scholars to relate to the Prophet's obligation to communicate all divine revelations. The broader context of Surah Al-Ma'idah (revealed in Madinah) emphasizes religious law, obligations, and the completion of the Islamic message.

Related Hadiths

The hadith of Ghadir Khumm (recorded in multiple sources including Tirmidhi and others) is contextually related, as it demonstrates the Prophet's fulfillment of this command to convey important guidance. Additionally, the Prophet's Farewell Sermon (Khutbat al-Wida') exemplifies this ayah's directive to communicate the complete message.

Themes

Divine ObligationProphetic Duty and ResponsibilityDivine ProtectionComplete Message DeliveryRejection of DisbeliefTrust in Allah

Key Lesson

This ayah reminds believers that conveying truth fully and without compromise is a sacred obligation, and that those who undertake this responsibility can trust in Allah's protection. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of integrity in religious practice and the courage needed to communicate faith principles despite potential opposition.

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Related Ayahs

5:27Al-Ma'idah

۞ وَٱتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ٱبْنَىْ ءَادَمَ بِٱلْحَقِّ إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانًا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِمَا وَلَمْ يُتَقَبَّلْ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔاخَرِ قَالَ لَأَقْتُلَنَّكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

And recite to them the story of Adam's two sons, in truth, when they both made an offering [to Allāh], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. Said [the latter], "I will surely kill you." Said [the former], "Indeed, Allāh only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].

5:16Al-Ma'idah

يَهْدِى بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضْوَٰنَهُۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ وَيُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِۦ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

By which Allāh guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.

5:32Al-Ma'idah

مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنَّهُۥ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًۢا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ أَحْيَا ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَمُسْرِفُونَ

Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And Our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors.

5:38Al-Ma'idah

وَٱلسَّارِقُ وَٱلسَّارِقَةُ فَٱقْطَعُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَـٰلًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they earned [i.e., committed] as a deterrent [punishment] from Allāh. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.