وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا۟ وَٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ 105
Translations
And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And those will have a great punishment
Transliteration
Wa lā takūnū ka-alladhīna tafarraqū wa-akhtalafu min ba'da mā jā'ahum al-bayyināt. Wa-ulā'ika lahum 'adhābun 'adhīm.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns the Muslim ummah against splitting into sects and factions after receiving clear proofs and guidance from Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a stern prohibition against religious divisions, noting that those who knowingly reject guidance and divide themselves face severe punishment. The verse serves as a cautionary example from previous peoples who fragmented despite possessing clear evidence of truth.
Revelation Context
Revealed in the Medinan period, this ayah addresses the early Muslim community in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's broader theme of unity and monotheism. It references the fate of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) who divided themselves into sects despite receiving clear revelations, serving as a cautionary lesson for Muslims to maintain cohesion and avoid similar divisions.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'My ummah will be divided into seventy-three sects, all of them in the Fire except one'—related in Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, emphasizing the danger of sectarian divisions. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet warned against divisions that lead people astray from the straight path.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims are urged to prioritize unity and collective adherence to Quranic guidance over personal interpretations and sectarian preferences, understanding that divisions weaken the community and invite divine punishment. In modern times, this teaches us to seek common ground in fundamental Islamic principles while showing mercy toward differing scholarly opinions on secondary matters.