وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَسْتَ مُرْسَلًا ۚ قُلْ كَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًۢا بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكُمْ وَمَنْ عِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ 43
Translations
And those who have disbelieved say, "You are not a messenger." Say, [O Muḥammad], "Sufficient is Allāh as Witness between me and you, and [the witness of] whoever has knowledge of the Scripture."
Transliteration
Wa yaqoolu allatheena kafaroo lasta mursalan qul kafaa billahi shaheedan baynee wa baynakum wa man AAindahu AAilmu alkitabi
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers deny the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) prophethood, but Allah commands him to respond with confidence that Allah Himself is a sufficient witness between him and them, along with whoever possesses knowledge of the Scripture (understood by many classical scholars as referring to Abdullah ibn Salam and other believing People of the Book). This ayah emphasizes that the Prophet's message is self-evident and does not depend on the acceptance of disbelievers, as Allah's testimony supersedes all earthly objections.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader Medinan context where the Prophet (ﷺ) faced persistent denial from the Meccan idolaters and some Jewish tribes in Medina. The surah addresses various forms of disbelief and denial, providing the Prophet with divine reassurance during a period of active resistance to his message.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4970): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The best witness is Allah.' This affirms the principle stated in this ayah. Additionally, the incident of Abdullah ibn Salam accepting Islam (Sahih Bukhari 3942) provides historical context for 'whoever possesses knowledge of the Scripture.'
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing rejection or disbelief from others, believers should find solace in Allah's testimony and knowledge rather than depending on human validation. This ayah teaches reliance (tawakkul) on Allah and reminds us that truth is self-evident to those with sincere hearts and genuine knowledge.
Related Ayahs
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.
وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ وَعَلَيْنَا ٱلْحِسَابُ
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.
يَمْحُوا۟ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيُثْبِتُ ۖ وَعِندَهُۥٓ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ
Allāh eliminates what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.
۞ مَّثَلُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ۖ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ أُكُلُهَا دَآئِمٌ وَظِلُّهَا ۚ تِلْكَ عُقْبَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ ۖ وَّعُقْبَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ٱلنَّارُ
The example [i.e., description] of Paradise, which the righteous have been promised, is [that] beneath it rivers flow. Its fruit is lasting, and its shade. That is the consequence for the righteous, and the consequence for the disbelievers is the Fire.