وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ 85
Translations
And whoever desires other than Islām as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.
Transliteration
Wa-man yabtaghi ghayra al-islami dinan falan yuqbala minhu wa-huwa fi al-akhirah mina al-khasirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Islam is the only acceptable religion to Allah, and whoever seeks a religion other than Islam will have it rejected and will be among the losers in the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this in the context of the universal message of Islam sent to all prophets and peoples, emphasizing that submission to Allah's will is the foundation of all true religion, whether revealed to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, or Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) and their disputes with Muslims in Medina. It follows the account of Jesus and affirms Islam's continuity with previous prophetic traditions while clarifying that the final, complete Din (way of life) is Islam as revealed through Prophet Muhammad.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Whoever testifies that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger, Allah forbids the Fire for him.' This hadith reinforces the acceptance of Islam as the path to salvation mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere submission to Allah's complete guidance through Islam is essential for salvation, and that partial acceptance or choosing alternative ideologies contradicts the purpose of human creation. It invites readers to reflect on whether their beliefs and practices align with Islam's comprehensive framework for spiritual and worldly success.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ تُبَوِّئُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَقَـٰعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And [remember] when you, [O Muḥammad], left your family in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle [of Uḥud] - and Allāh is Hearing and Knowing -
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ
[Who say], "Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.
لَن يَضُرُّوكُمْ إِلَّآ أَذًى ۖ وَإِن يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمْ يُوَلُّوكُمُ ٱلْأَدْبَارَ ثُمَّ لَا يُنصَرُونَ
They will not harm you except for [some] annoyance. And if they fight you, they will show you their backs [i.e., retreat]; then they will not be aided.
قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Similar situations [as yours] have passed on before you, so proceed throughout the earth and observe how was the end of those who denied.