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
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ
Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allāh. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allāh hearts are assured."
يَمْحُوا۟ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيُثْبِتُ ۖ وَعِندَهُۥٓ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ
Allāh eliminates what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.
لَهُۥ دَعْوَةُ ٱلْحَقِّ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَىْءٍ إِلَّا كَبَـٰسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ إِلَى ٱلْمَآءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَـٰلِغِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ
To Him [alone] is the supplication of truth. And those they call upon besides Him do not respond to them with a thing, except as one who stretches his hands toward water [from afar, calling it] to reach his mouth, but it will not reach it [thus]. And the supplication of the disbelievers is not but in error [i.e., futility].
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.