لَيْسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ شَىْءٌ أَوْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ أَوْ يُعَذِّبَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ 128
Translations
Not for you, [O Muḥammad, but for Allāh], is the decision whether He should [cut them down] or forgive them or punish them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers.
Transliteration
Laysa laka mina al-amri shay'un aw yatuba 'alayhim aw yu'adhdhibhum fa-innahum zalimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), clarifying that he has no authority to compel belief or determine the fate of those who reject Islam—that authority belongs to Allah alone. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the ayah means the Prophet's role is to convey the message, while Allah's prerogative is to guide whom He wills, accept the repentance of those who turn to Him, or punish those who persist in wrongdoing. The closing phrase 'they are wrongdoers' refers to those who reject guidance despite its clarity.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within Surah Ali 'Imran, which extensively addresses matters of faith, belief, and the relationship between Allah's will and human responsibility. It comes in the context of discussions about the Battle of Uhud and broader themes of divine will versus human agency, reminding the Muslim community that ultimate judgment and guidance rest with Allah, not with the Prophet or the believers.
Related Hadiths
Related to this ayah is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said, 'You are not responsible for guiding them, but Allah guides whom He wills.' Also relevant is the principle found in multiple hadith collections that the Prophet's duty was only to convey the message clearly (tabligh), as stated in Surah 16:82.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that while we should strive to convey Islamic teachings with sincerity and wisdom, ultimately hearts and outcomes are in Allah's hands—a reminder that reduces frustration in da'wah and encourages reliance on Allah rather than despondency over others' choices. It also emphasizes that accountability for rejection of truth lies with the rejectors themselves, not with those who convey the message.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ
Those to whom people [i.e., hypocrites] said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allāh, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْدَ إِيمَـٰنِهِمْ ثُمَّ ٱزْدَادُوا۟ كُفْرًا لَّن تُقْبَلَ تَوْبَتُهُمْ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلضَّآلُّونَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve [i.e., reject the message] after their belief and then increase in disbelief - never will their [claimed] repentance be accepted, and they are the ones astray.
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُۥ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُۥ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَٱشْتَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Allāh took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear [i.e., explain it] to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased.
إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding -