إِنَّمَآ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ رَبَّ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْبَلْدَةِ ٱلَّذِى حَرَّمَهَا وَلَهُۥ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ 91
Translations
[Say, O Muḥammad], "I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this city, who made it sacred and to whom [belongs] all things. And I am commanded to be of the Muslims [i.e., those who submit to Allāh].
Transliteration
Innama umirtu an a'buda rabba hadhihi al-baldati allathi harramaha wa-lahu kullu shay'in wa-umirtu an akuna mina al-muslimin
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad declares that he has been commanded to worship only the Lord of Makkah (the Sacred City), who has made it inviolable and sacred, and to whom belongs everything in existence. This statement encompasses his submission to Allah's absolute lordship and his commitment to being among those who surrender to God's will. Ibn Kathir notes this ayah emphasizes the exclusivity of worship directed toward Allah alone and the Prophet's role as a messenger conveying this fundamental message of monotheism.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Naml, which is Meccan and deals with various prophetic narratives and signs of Allah's power. It comes after the story of Prophet Solomon and relates to the broader theme of the Prophet Muhammad's mission in Makkah, the sacred sanctuary. The statement reflects the Prophet's declaration of his unwavering commitment to Allah's command despite opposition from the Quraysh.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet said: 'I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger' relates thematically to this ayah's emphasis on singular devotion. Additionally, the Prophet's statement in Surah Ash-Shura (42:13) about being commanded to establish the religion reflects the same divine directive mentioned here.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true faith requires complete and exclusive devotion to Allah alone, acknowledging His absolute sovereignty over all creation, and a sincere commitment to being among those who submit to His will. For modern Muslims, it serves as a reminder that Islamic practice must be rooted in the recognition that all forms of worship and obedience belong solely to the Creator.
Related Ayahs
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds -
يَوْمَ هُم بَـٰرِزُونَ ۖ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَىْءٌ ۚ لِّمَنِ ٱلْمُلْكُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ
The Day they come forth nothing concerning them will be concealed from Allāh. To whom belongs [all] sovereignty this Day? To Allāh, the One, the Prevailing.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا۟ ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ ٱجْتَمَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ ۖ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ ٱلذُّبَابُ شَيْـًٔا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ۚ ضَعُفَ ٱلطَّالِبُ وَٱلْمَطْلُوبُ
O people, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allāh will never create [as much as] a fly, even if they gathered together for it [i.e., that purpose]. And if the fly should steal from them a [tiny] thing, they could not recover it from him. Weak are the pursuer and pursued.
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ أَن تَزُولَا ۚ وَلَئِن زَالَتَآ إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُمَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا
Indeed, Allāh holds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, no one could hold them [in place] after Him. Indeed, He is Forbearing and Forgiving.