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
فَإِن كُنتَ فِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ فَسْـَٔلِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقْرَءُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ لَقَدْ جَآءَكَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمُمْتَرِينَ
So if you are in doubt, [O Muḥammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters.
وَٱللَّهُ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ دَارِ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And Allāh invites to the Home of Peace [i.e., Paradise] and guides whom He wills to a straight path.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُسَيِّرُكُمْ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا كُنتُمْ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ وَجَرَيْنَ بِهِم بِرِيحٍ طَيِّبَةٍ وَفَرِحُوا۟ بِهَا جَآءَتْهَا رِيحٌ عَاصِفٌ وَجَآءَهُمُ ٱلْمَوْجُ مِن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ أُحِيطَ بِهِمْ ۙ دَعَوُا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ لَئِنْ أَنجَيْتَنَا مِنْ هَـٰذِهِۦ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
It is He who enables you to travel on land and sea until, when you are in ships and they sail with them by a good wind and they rejoice therein, there comes a storm wind and the waves come upon them from every place and they expect to be engulfed, they supplicate Allāh, sincere to Him in religion, "If You should save us from this, we will surely be among the thankful."
وَلَا يَحْزُنكَ قَوْلُهُمْ ۘ إِنَّ ٱلْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا ۚ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
And let not their speech grieve you. Indeed, honor [due to power] belongs to Allāh entirely. He is the Hearing, the Knowing.