وَمَن كَفَرَ فَلَا يَحْزُنكَ كُفْرُهُۥٓ ۚ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ 23
Translations
And whoever has disbelieved - let not his disbelief grieve you. To Us is their return, and We will inform them of what they did. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of that within the breasts.
Transliteration
Wa man kafara fala yahzunka kufruhu, ilayna marji'uhum fanunabbi'uhum bima 'amilu, inna Allaha 'alimun bidhati assudur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) not to grieve over the disbelief of those who reject the message, as their ultimate return is to Allah alone. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that Allah will fully inform them of their deeds on the Day of Judgment, and the concluding phrase—'Indeed, Allah knows what is in the breasts'—affirms that Allah's knowledge encompasses all hidden intentions and secrets, whether manifested or concealed.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Luqman, which contains moral and spiritual counsel. It addresses the Prophet's emotional burden regarding those who reject faith, reassuring him that their accountability rests with Allah alone. This reflects the broader Meccan period theme of consoling the Prophet amid widespread rejection of his message.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim 2347: The Prophet said, 'The most perfect believers in faith are those who are best in manners and most gentle.' This relates to the ayah's theme of not grieving over others' choices, maintaining composure and moral excellence. Also relevant is Surah 88:21-22 (Sahih Bukhari 4770) where Allah reassures the Prophet he is only a reminder, not a guardian over people's faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should not be overwhelmed by others' rejection of faith, understanding that ultimate justice and accountability belong to Allah alone; our responsibility is to convey the message with wisdom and compassion, trusting Allah's perfect knowledge and justice.
Related Ayahs
خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا ۖ وَأَلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ ۚ وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَنۢبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍ كَرِيمٍ
He created the heavens without pillars that you see and has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with you, and dispersed therein from every creature. And We sent down rain from the sky and made grow therein [plants] of every noble kind.
يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِى صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ أَوْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ
[And Luqmān said], "O my son, indeed if it [i.e., a wrong] should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allāh will bring it forth. Indeed, Allāh is Subtle and Aware.
وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلْأَصْوَٰتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ
And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys."
مَّا خَلْقُكُمْ وَلَا بَعْثُكُمْ إِلَّا كَنَفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
Your creation and your resurrection will not be but as that of a single soul. Indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.