فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا۟ فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا ۖ إِنْ عَلَيْكَ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ۗ وَإِنَّآ إِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنَّا رَحْمَةً فَرِحَ بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ فَإِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ كَفُورٌ 48
Translations
But if they turn away - then We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], over them as a guardian; upon you is only [the duty of] notification. And indeed, when We let man taste mercy from Us, he rejoices in it; but if evil afflicts him for what his hands have put forth, then indeed, man is ungrateful.
Transliteration
Fa-in a'radū famā arsalnāka 'alayhim hafīzan. In 'alayka illā al-balāgh. Wa-innā idhā adhaqnā al-insāna minnā rahmatan fariha bihā. Wa-in tusibhum sayyiah bimā qaddamat aydīhim fa-inna al-insāna kafūr.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) sole responsibility is to convey the message of Allah, not to compel belief or guard over people's faith—that responsibility lies with Allah alone. The second part illustrates human ingratitude: when people experience Allah's mercy and blessings, they rejoice in them, but when hardship befalls them as a result of their own deeds, they deny and reject, displaying ingratitude (kufr). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize this as a timeless truth about human nature and the limits of prophetic responsibility.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah ash-Shuraa and addresses the broader theme of consultation, guidance, and human response to divine revelation. It provides comfort to the Prophet regarding the rejection he faced from his people, clarifying that his duty is limited to clear communication, not forced acceptance. The context reflects the challenges faced during the Meccan period when disbelievers persistently rejected the message.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of conveying the message: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Convey from me, even if it is one ayah' (Sahih Bukhari). Also relevant: 'Whoever conceals knowledge when it is asked of him, Allah will bridle him with a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection' (Sunan Ibn Majah), emphasizing the duty of clear communication.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that while we have a duty to sincerely convey truth and live righteously, we cannot force others to believe—that is Allah's domain; simultaneously, we must cultivate gratitude for blessings and recognize that hardships often result from our own actions, requiring sincere repentance rather than blame.
Related Ayahs
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُنَزِّلُ ٱلْغَيْثَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوا۟ وَيَنشُرُ رَحْمَتَهُۥ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْوَلِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ
And it is He who sends down the rain after they had despaired and spreads His mercy. And He is the Protector, the Praiseworthy.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِى مَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلْإِيمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلْنَـٰهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command [i.e., the Qur’ān]. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muḥammad], you guide to a straight path -
فَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَمَتَـٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
So whatever thing you have been given - it is but [for] enjoyment of the worldly life. But what is with Allāh is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their Lord rely
أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَـٰٓؤُا۟ شَرَعُوا۟ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱلدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَنۢ بِهِ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةُ ٱلْفَصْلِ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Or have they partners [i.e., other deities] who have ordained for them a religion to which Allāh has not consented? But if not for the decisive word, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, the wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.