مَّن يُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَ ۖ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا 80
Translations
He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allāh; but those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian.
Transliteration
Man yuti'ir ar-rasūla faqad atā'a Allāh, wa man tawallā famā arsalnāka 'alayhim hafīẓā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the principle that obedience to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is equivalent to obedience to Allah, as the Prophet conveys divine revelation without alteration. Conversely, those who turn away from the Prophet's guidance are not under his guardianship or compulsion, emphasizing that belief and obedience are matters of free choice. Ibn Kathir notes this demonstrates the Prophet's supreme authority in religious matters as Allah's chosen messenger, while Al-Tabari emphasizes that the Prophet's commands reflect divine will.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4), a Medinan surah revealed after the Prophet's migration to Madinah. It addresses the Muslim community's relationship with prophetic authority during the establishment of the Islamic state. The broader context concerns obedience to Allah and His Messenger as foundational to community cohesion and proper governance.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim (1835): The Prophet said, 'Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah.' Also, Sunan Abu Dawud (4604): 'Hear and obey, even if a slave is appointed over you,' emphasizing the binding nature of following legitimate leadership.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that following the Prophet's teachings is inseparable from worshipping Allah, making it essential to study and implement Sunnah in daily life. It also clarifies that while the Prophet guides, ultimate acceptance rests with individuals, calling Muslims to conscious, willing obedience rather than blind compliance.
Related Ayahs
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا۟ ٱلْأَمَـٰنَـٰتِ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا۟ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا
Indeed, Allāh commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allāh instructs you. Indeed, Allāh is ever Hearing and Seeing.
وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا ٱلْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا ٱتِّبَاعَ ٱلظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًۢا
And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, the messenger of Allāh." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.
وَإِذَا حَضَرَ ٱلْقِسْمَةَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينُ فَٱرْزُقُوهُم مِّنْهُ وَقُولُوا۟ لَهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا
And when [other] relatives and orphans and the needy are present at the [time of] division, then provide for them [something] out of it [i.e., the estate] and speak to them words of appropriate kindness.
وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ صَدُقَـٰتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً ۚ فَإِن طِبْنَ لَكُمْ عَن شَىْءٍ مِّنْهُ نَفْسًا فَكُلُوهُ هَنِيٓـًٔا مَّرِيٓـًٔا
And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.