فَإِمَّا نَذْهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنْهُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ 41
Translations
And whether [or not] We take you away [in death], indeed, We will take retribution upon them.
Transliteration
Fa-imma nadh-habanna bika fa-inna minhum muntaqimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's promise to the Prophet Muhammad that whether He takes the Prophet's life or allows him to witness the punishment of his opponents, Allah will certainly take vengeance upon those who rejected and opposed the message. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a consolation to the Prophet, assuring him that the disbelievers will face divine retribution either in this life through conquest and subjugation, or in the Hereafter through eternal punishment. The ayah emphasizes Allah's justice and His commitment to supporting His messenger despite the persecution he faced from the Quraysh.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Az-Zukhruf's broader theme of addressing the polytheists of Mecca who mocked and rejected the Prophet's message. It specifically responds to the threats and harm faced by the Prophet from the disbelievers, reassuring him that divine justice will ultimately prevail. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the period of intense persecution of the early Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The themes of divine vengeance on disbelievers relate to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet said, 'The most hateful person to Allah is the most obstinate disbeliever.' Additionally, Surah Al-Anfal 8:7 discusses Allah's promise to give the believers victory, which complements the assurance in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that despite persecution and opposition to the message of truth, Allah's justice is absolute and inevitable—disbelievers will face accountability either in this world or the next. Modern readers should draw comfort that standing for truth requires patience, as ultimate victory belongs to Allah alone, not to the opponents of His message.