فَلِذَٰلِكَ فَٱدْعُ ۖ وَٱسْتَقِمْ كَمَآ أُمِرْتَ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ ۖ وَقُلْ ءَامَنتُ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن كِتَـٰبٍ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَعْدِلَ بَيْنَكُمُ ۖ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ ۖ لَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ ۖ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ ۖ ٱللَّهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ 15
Translations
So to that [religion of Allāh] invite, [O Muḥammad], and remain on a right course as you are commanded and do not follow their inclinations but say, "I have believed in what Allāh has revealed of scripture [i.e., the Qur’ān], and I have been commanded to do justice among you. Allāh is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds, and for you your deeds. There is no [need for] argument between us and you. Allāh will bring us together, and to Him is the [final] destination."
Transliteration
Fa-lidhalika fadʿu wastaqim kama umirt wa-la tattabiʿ ahwāʾahum wa-qul āmant bimā anzala allāhu min kitāb wa-umirt liʿadil baynakum allāhu rabbunā wa-rabbukum lanā aʿmālunā wa-lakum aʿmālukum lā hujja baynana wa-baynakum allāhu yajmaʿu baynana wa-ilayhi al-masīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to call people to the path of Allah with steadfastness and not to follow their desires and deviations from truth. The Prophet is commanded to declare his belief in all of Allah's revealed Books and his mission to establish justice among people, while making clear the separation of responsibility: each person bears their own deeds, and the final judgment rests with Allah alone. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize this as a comprehensive directive on preaching methodology combined with theological clarity about monotheism, divine justice, and individual accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ash-Shuraa (Meccan surah), revealed during the period when the Prophet faced intense opposition from the Quraysh who rejected his message. The ayah addresses the challenges the Prophet faced in calling people to Islam while they clung to their ancestral practices and desires, providing him with divine guidance on how to remain steadfast despite opposition.
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet said: 'The best of my nation is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.' This relates to the theme of steadfastness in faith. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari about the Prophet's instruction: 'Convey from me, even if it be one verse,' emphasizing the duty to call to Allah's message.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must remain unwavering in their commitment to Allah's guidance regardless of social pressure or the desires of others around them, remembering that each person is accountable for their own actions and that Allah alone is the ultimate judge. This ayah teaches that true strength lies not in following the crowd, but in maintaining integrity, pursuing justice, and trusting in Allah's ultimate wisdom and justice.