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.
Related Ayahs
۞ لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوٓا۟ أَذًى كَثِيرًا ۚ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ
You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allāh much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allāh - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.
قَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ ءَايَةٌ فِى فِئَتَيْنِ ٱلْتَقَتَا ۖ فِئَةٌ تُقَـٰتِلُ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَأُخْرَىٰ كَافِرَةٌ يَرَوْنَهُم مِّثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْىَ ٱلْعَيْنِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصْرِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرِ
Already there has been for you a sign in the two armies which met [in combat at Badr] - one fighting in the cause of Allāh and another of disbelievers. They saw them [to be] twice their [own] number by [their] eyesight. But Allāh supports with His victory whom He wills. Indeed in that is a lesson for those of vision.
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ كِتَـٰبًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِى ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allāh at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter - We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ
Allāh - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining.