فَٱسْتَمْسِكْ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ 43
Translations
So adhere to that which is revealed to you. Indeed, you are on a straight path.
Transliteration
Fastamsik billathi uhiya ilayk, innaka ala siratim mustaqim
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to firmly hold fast to the Qur'an that has been revealed to him, assuring him that by doing so he remains upon the straight path. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this instruction is both a command to the Prophet and, by extension, to all believers to adhere strictly to the Qur'an and Sunnah as the source of guidance. The ayah provides reassurance and confidence that adherence to divine revelation is the guarantee of remaining on the correct way (sirat al-mustaqim).
Revelation Context
Surah Az-Zukhruf is a Meccan surah revealed during a period when the Prophet faced considerable opposition from the Quraysh and polytheists. This ayah comes near the end of the surah as a reaffirmation and consolation to the Prophet, strengthening his resolve during times of trial and encouraging unwavering commitment to the message he was entrusted with.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'I have left you with two things, if you hold fast to them, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet' (Reported by Al-Hakim and others). This hadith directly complements the ayah's command to hold fast to revelation.
Themes
Key Lesson
Just as the Prophet was commanded to hold fast to the revelation entrusted to him, believers must firmly grasp the Qur'an and Sunnah as their guide in all matters of faith and life, trusting that this steadfastness will keep them on the path of truth and righteousness regardless of worldly pressures or opposition.
Related Ayahs
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And certainly did We send Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his establishment, and he said, "Indeed, I am the messenger of the Lord of the worlds."
وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدْنَـٰهُم ۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ
And they said, "If the Most Merciful had willed, we would not have worshipped them." They have of that no knowledge. They are not but misjudging.
وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مَثَلًا ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُۥ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ
And when one of them is given good tidings of that which he attributes to the Most Merciful in comparison [i.e., a daughter], his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief.
هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Are they waiting except for the Hour to come upon them suddenly while they perceive not?