فَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كُذِّبَ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِكَ جَآءُو بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُنِيرِ 184
Translations
Then if they deny you, [O Muḥammad] - so were messengers denied before you, who brought clear proofs and written ordinances and the enlightening Scripture.
Transliteration
Fa-in kadhdhābūka faqad kudhiba rusulun min qablika jā'ū bil-bayyināti wa-z-zuburi wa-l-kitābi l-munīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah consoles the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding rejection by his people, assuring him that previous messengers were also denied despite presenting clear proofs (bayyināt), divine scriptures (zubur), and the illuminating Book (Qur'an). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this verse emphasizes the historical pattern of prophetic rejection and encourages the Prophet not to despair, as denial of messengers is a recurring theme throughout human history.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader Medinan discourse on the verification of divine messages and the trials faced by prophets. It appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the People of the Book and their rejection of prophetic messages, providing historical reassurance to the Muslim community during periods of opposition.
Related Hadiths
The theme connects to the hadith in Sahih Muslim (2286) where the Prophet stated that every prophet faced trials and harm, yet he remained patient. Additionally, Surah Al-Ankabut (29:18) reinforces this: 'And those before you were rejected, yet they were patient with denial.'
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing rejection or opposition in righteous endeavors, believers should remember that truth-bearers throughout history experienced similar trials, and perseverance in presenting clear evidence with patience is the mark of those on the straight path.
Related Ayahs
فَـَٔاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَحُسْنَ ثَوَابِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
So Allāh gave them the reward of this world and the good reward of the Hereafter. And Allāh loves the doers of good.
فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنۢبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا ٱلْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَـٰذَا ۖ قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, "O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?" She said, "It is from Allāh. Indeed, Allāh provides for whom He wills without account."
إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَخْذُلْكُمْ فَمَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَنصُرُكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
If Allāh should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
But as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards, and Allāh does not like the wrongdoers.