وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيرًا 115
Translations
And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.
Transliteration
Wa man yushāqiq ar-rasūla min ba'da mā tabayyana lahu al-hudā wa yattabi' ghaira sabīl al-mu'minīn nuwallih mā tawallā wa nuslihi jahannam wa sā'at masīrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns against opposing the Messenger (ﷺ) after guidance has become clear, and following a path different from that of the believers. Al-Qurtubi explains that such opposition after clear evidence constitutes a grave sin, as it involves both rejecting the Prophet's guidance and the consensus of the Muslim community. The punishment is severe: Allah will allow such a person to follow their own desires and will enter them into Hellfire—a terrible destination. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this refers to those who deliberately turn away from clear truth after it has been made manifest to them.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period, addressing the hypocrites and those who opposed the Prophet's authority despite the clear signs and proofs presented to them. It comes within the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of social conduct, obedience to Allah and His Messenger, and the unity of the Muslim community (ummah).
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah; and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah' (Sahih Bukhari, 2957). Also relevant: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari, 5027), emphasizing the importance of following the clear guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejecting clear divine guidance with full knowledge is among the most serious transgressions, and that following the consensus of the believers (ijma') is essential to remaining on the right path. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes the importance of sincere obedience to the Quran and Sunnah, and maintaining unity with the community of believers rather than pursuing isolated or innovative interpretations contrary to established Islamic understanding.
Related Ayahs
مَّآ أَفَآءَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْقُرَىٰ فَلِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ كَىْ لَا يَكُونَ دُولَةًۢ بَيْنَ ٱلْأَغْنِيَآءِ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ فَٱنتَهُوا۟ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
And what Allāh restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allāh and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the needy and the [stranded] traveler - so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allāh; indeed, Allāh is severe in penalty.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا تَنَـٰجَيْتُمْ فَلَا تَتَنَـٰجَوْا۟ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَتَنَـٰجَوْا۟ بِٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
O you who have believed, when you converse privately, do not converse about sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger but converse about righteousness and piety. And fear Allāh, to whom you will be gathered.