وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ وَعَلَيْنَا ٱلْحِسَابُ 40
Translations
And whether We show you part of what We promise them or take you in death, upon you is only the [duty of] notification, and upon Us is the account.
Transliteration
Wa-in mā nuriyannaka ba'ḍa alladhī na'iduhum aw natawaffaynnak fa-innamā 'alayka al-balāgh wa-'alaynā al-hisāb
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah consoles the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by clarifying that whether he witnesses the punishment of the disbelievers in his lifetime or passes away before seeing it, his sole responsibility is to convey the message clearly, while Allah alone is responsible for holding people accountable on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize this as a reassurance to the Prophet that he should not grieve over the disbelievers' rejection, as judgment belongs exclusively to Allah, not to him.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan Surah Ar-Ra'd and addresses the Prophet's concern regarding those who rejected his message. The broader context of the surah deals with signs of Allah's power and the reality of resurrection and accountability. It was revealed to strengthen the Prophet's resolve during times when the disbelievers mocked him and rejected his message.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Hadith 5027) relates to the emphasis on conveying the message. Additionally, the hadith 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Muslim 45) connects to the universal message of accountability.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims are reminded that their responsibility is to sincerely convey truth and live righteously, not to control outcomes or judge others—judgment belongs to Allah alone. This brings peace to believers by releasing them from the burden of others' acceptance and focusing them on fulfilling their duty with integrity.
Related Ayahs
لَّهُمْ عَذَابٌ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَشَقُّ ۖ وَمَا لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ
For them will be punishment in the life of [this] world, and the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe. And they will not have from Allāh any protector.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ لَا مُعَقِّبَ لِحُكْمِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ
Have they not seen that We set upon the land, reducing it from its borders? And Allāh decides; there is no adjuster of His decision. And He is swift in account.
وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ ۖ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ
And those who disbelieved say, "Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?" You are only a warner, and for every people is a guide.
وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَظِلَـٰلُهُم بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْـَٔاصَالِ ۩
And to Allāh prostrates whoever is within the heavens and the earth, willingly or by compulsion, and their shadows [as well] in the mornings and the afternoons.