فَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ 82
Translations
And whoever turned away after that - they were the defiantly disobedient.
Transliteration
Fa-man tawalla ba'da dhalika fa-ula'ika hum al-fasiqun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the covenant (mithaq) that Allah took from the People of the Book to believe in the Qur'an and the Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him). Those who turn away from this covenant after its clarity are described as the transgressors (al-fasiqun), indicating severe condemnation for rejecting divine guidance after understanding it. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that willful rejection after knowledge constitutes a grave sin, as the covenant was made upon their own acknowledgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ali 'Imran (verses 81-82), which addresses the historical covenants Allah made with the Prophets and their peoples to believe in subsequent prophets and messengers. The context specifically deals with the covenant regarding belief in Prophet Muhammad, making it relevant to the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) who were confronted with this obligation.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family,' relates thematically to the concept of honoring covenants and responsibilities. Additionally, Surah 3:81 itself references the covenant taken from all prophets.
Themes
Key Lesson
When we have received clear knowledge of Allah's message and guidance through the Qur'an and Sunnah, turning away from it constitutes fasq (transgression), and we bear full responsibility for this choice. This ayah reminds us that ignorance is no excuse once truth has been made manifest, emphasizing the importance of sincere adherence to Islamic teachings after understanding them.