فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ 126
Translations
So fear Allāh and obey me.
Transliteration
Fattaqullaha wa-atee'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah, spoken by the Prophet Shu'ayb to his people, commands them to fear Allah (taqwa) and obey him as Allah's messenger. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that obedience to the messenger is inseparable from obedience to Allah, as the messenger conveys Allah's guidance and commands. This verse encapsulates the fundamental Islamic principle that piety toward Allah must be paired with heeding the guidance brought by His prophets.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the narrative of Prophet Shu'ayb's call to the people of Madyan (Midian). Shu'ayb repeatedly urged his people to abandon their dishonest business practices, particularly short-changing in measurements and weights, and to embrace monotheism. This verse reflects the universal message all prophets brought: fear Allah and follow His messenger's guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah' (Sahih Bukhari 7137). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027) emphasizes the importance of following prophetic guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
True piety requires both internal consciousness of Allah and external obedience to His guidance through the prophets. For believers today, this teaches that sincere faith must manifest in following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad and heeding the wisdom of those who convey Allah's message.
Related Ayahs
وَٱتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
And follow that which is revealed to you from your Lord. Indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.
وَمِنَ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ حَمُولَةً وَفَرْشًا ۚ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
And of the grazing livestock are carriers [of burdens] and those [too] small. Eat of what Allāh has provided for you and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.
قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
Say, "Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."
وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ ٱقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ أَوِ ٱخْرُجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِكُم مَّا فَعَلُوهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ مِّنْهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا۟ مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِۦ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا
And if We had decreed upon them, "Kill yourselves" or "Leave your homes," they would not have done it, except for a few of them. But if they had done what they were instructed, it would have been better for them and a firmer position [for them in faith].