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
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَسَبُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ جَزَآءُ سَيِّئَةٍۭ بِمِثْلِهَا وَتَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ ۖ مَّا لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ ۖ كَأَنَّمَآ أُغْشِيَتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ قِطَعًا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ مُظْلِمًا ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
But they who have earned [blame for] evil doings - the recompense of an evil deed is its equivalent, and humiliation will cover them. They will have from Allāh no protector. It will be as if their faces are covered with pieces of the night - so dark [are they]. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
فَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًۢا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ إِن كُنَّا عَنْ عِبَادَتِكُمْ لَغَـٰفِلِينَ
And sufficient is Allāh as a witness between us and you that we were of your worship unaware."
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يُؤْمِنُ بِهِۦ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّا يُؤْمِنُ بِهِۦ ۚ وَرَبُّكَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
And of them are those who believe in it, and of them are those who do not believe in it. And your Lord is most knowing of the corrupters.
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ ءَاتَيْتَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَأَهُۥ زِينَةً وَأَمْوَٰلًا فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا رَبَّنَا لِيُضِلُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِكَ ۖ رَبَّنَا ٱطْمِسْ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَٱشْدُدْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ
And Moses said, "Our Lord, indeed You have given Pharaoh and his establishment splendor and wealth in the worldly life, our Lord, that they may lead [men] astray from Your way. Our Lord, obliterate their wealth and harden their hearts so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment."