وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهُ حَفِيظٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ 6
Translations
And those who take as allies other than Him - Allāh is [yet] Guardian over them; and you, [O Muḥammad], are not over them a manager.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina ittakhazoo min doonihee awliyaa-a Allahu hafizun alayhim wa-ma anta alayhim bi-wakeel
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses those who take guardians and protectors besides Allah, stating that while Allah is watchful over their deeds, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not responsible for them or their guardianship. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a reassurance to the Prophet that he need not burden himself with forcibly guiding those who reject Allah's signs, as divine oversight and accountability rest with Allah alone. The ayah emphasizes that associating partners with Allah in matters of guardianship and protection is ultimately futile, and such people remain under Allah's divine observation.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the Meccan surah Ash-Shuraa, which emphasizes themes of divine guidance, the oneness of Allah, and the Prophet's role as a messenger rather than a coercive guardian. The broader context of the surah addresses polytheists who sought protection and guidance from false deities and intermediaries, highlighting the confusion of the Meccan society regarding true sources of authority and protection.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (4:88) regarding the verse 'There is no compulsion in religion' reflects the same principle that the Prophet cannot force belief. Additionally, in Surah Al-Ghashiyah (88:21-22), the Prophet is reminded 'You are not a guardian over them,' which carries the same thematic message of delegating judgment to Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that true protection and guardianship come exclusively from Allah, not from false deities or created beings, and that our responsibility is to convey the message sincerely while entrusting outcomes to Allah's wisdom and justice. This teaches acceptance of human limitations and reliance on divine providence rather than anxiety about those who reject faith.