قُلْ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّى عَـٰمِلٌ ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ 39
Translations
Say, "O my people, work according to your position, [for] indeed, I am working; and you are going to know
Transliteration
Qul ya qawmi'malu alaa makaanatikum inni aamil fasawfa ta'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is commanded to tell his people to continue in their beliefs and practices while he continues in his mission, with the assurance that the truth will eventually become manifest. Ibn Kathir explains this as a declaration of confidence in Allah's message and a challenge to the disbelievers, indicating that time will reveal who is upon the truth. Al-Tabari notes this ayah reflects the Prophet's steadfastness despite opposition, with the promise that the consequences of their actions will become clear.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the end of Surah Az-Zumar (a Meccan surah) during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet in Mecca. It reflects the context of the early Islamic period when the Prophet and believers faced ridicule and resistance from the Quraysh, yet remained resolute in their mission. The surah's overall theme emphasizes the reality of the afterlife and Allah's ultimate judgment.
Related Hadiths
The statement reflects the principle found in Sahih Bukhari (Book of Tawheed) where the Prophet said, 'The best jihad is a word of truth before a tyrannical ruler.' Also related is the hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi about patience and steadfastness in faith despite persecution.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to remain unwavering in their commitment to truth and righteousness, trusting that Allah will ultimately vindicate His message regardless of worldly opposition. It encourages patience and confidence that one's sincere efforts in service of truth will bear fruit, whether in this life or the next.
Related Ayahs
قَدْ قَالَهَا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
Those before them had already said it, but they were not availed by what they used to earn.
وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُۥ مَعَهُۥ لَٱفْتَدَوْا۟ بِهِۦ مِن سُوٓءِ ٱلْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ وَبَدَا لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا۟ يَحْتَسِبُونَ
And if those who did wrong had all that is in the earth entirely and the like of it with it, they would [attempt to] ransom themselves thereby from the worst of the punishment on the Day of Resurrection. And there will appear to them from Allāh that which they had not taken into account.
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَٱعْبُدِ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ
Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book, [O Muḥammad], in truth. So worship Allāh, [being] sincere to Him in religion.
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَـٰذَا ۚ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَـٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, "Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say, "Yes, but the word [i.e., decree] of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers."