وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً فَٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ 19
Translations
And mankind was not but one community [united in religion], but [then] they differed. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them [immediately] concerning that over which they differ.
Transliteration
Wa mā kānal-nāsu illā ummatan wāhidatan fakhtalafu wa lawlā kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika la-qudiya baynahum fīmā fīhi yakhtalifūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that mankind was originally one unified community (upon the religion of truth and monotheism), but they subsequently divided and differed in their beliefs and practices. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that had it not been for Allah's prior decree of respite (giving people time and free choice), He would have immediately punished them for their disagreements and innovations. The 'word' (kalimah) that preceded refers to Allah's decree delaying judgment until the Day of Resurrection, allowing people the opportunity to repent and choose their path.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Yunus, a Meccan chapter addressing the polytheists of Mecca who had deviated from the monotheistic faith of Prophet Ibrahim. The context reflects the broader Quranic theme of explaining humanity's propensity toward division and how divine guidance was sent through successive prophets to unite people upon truth.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'My community will be divided into seventy-three sects, all of them in the Hellfire except one' relates to the theme of human division. Additionally, the Prophet's statement about the 'best of generations' (Ahadith al-Qurn) in Sahih Bukhari connects to the concept of original unity in faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that unity in faith is humanity's natural state, and divisions arise from our own choices and departures from divine guidance. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of returning to foundational Islamic principles while showing mercy toward those who differ, recognizing that Allah's patience with humanity provides opportunity for repentance and rectification.
Related Ayahs
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ وَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ وَأَغْرَقْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا ۖ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُنذَرِينَ
And they denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the ship and made them successors, and We drowned those who denied Our signs. Then see how was the end of those who were warned.
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ۖ يُدَبِّرُ ٱلْأَمْرَ ۖ مَا مِن شَفِيعٍ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِذْنِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Indeed, your Lord is Allāh, who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne, arranging the matter [of His creation]. There is no intercessor except after His permission. That is Allāh, your Lord, so worship Him. Then will you not remember?
قُل لَّوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا تَلَوْتُهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَآ أَدْرَىٰكُم بِهِۦ ۖ فَقَدْ لَبِثْتُ فِيكُمْ عُمُرًا مِّن قَبْلِهِۦٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
Say, "If Allāh had willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have made it known to you, for I had remained among you a lifetime before it. Then will you not reason?"
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا وَرَضُوا۟ بِٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱطْمَأَنُّوا۟ بِهَا وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا غَـٰفِلُونَ
Indeed, those who do not expect the meeting with Us and are satisfied with the life of this world and feel secure therein and those who are heedless of Our signs -