وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَـَٔامَنَ مَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا ۚ أَفَأَنتَ تُكْرِهُ ٱلنَّاسَ حَتَّىٰ يَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ 99
Translations
And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed - all of them entirely. Then, [O Muḥammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers?
Transliteration
Wa law shaa'a rabbuka la-amana man fil-ardi kulluhum jamee'an. Afa-anta tukrahu an-nasa hatta yakoonoo mu'mineen?
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that belief is ultimately within Allah's will and power—had He willed, all people on earth would have believed unanimously. The rhetorical question that follows addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), clarifying that he cannot compel people to believe through coercion, as faith must come from the heart. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize this as a consolation to the Prophet regarding the rejection he faced, and as a universal principle that forced belief is neither possible nor acceptable in Islam.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period when the Prophet faced significant rejection from the Quraysh and others. It comes within the broader context of Surah Yunus, which addresses themes of prophethood, divine will, and human free choice. The ayah directly responds to the frustration over disbelievers' rejection and clarifies the boundaries of the Prophet's responsibility.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said, 'None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he wishes for himself' relates to the concept of genuine belief coming from the heart. Additionally, the hadith about the Prophet's grief over disbelievers (found in multiple collections) contextualizes his human concern despite this divine principle.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that we cannot force others into faith through coercion—true belief must be sincere and willing. It provides comfort in recognizing that the outcome of people's faith is ultimately with Allah, freeing us from the burden of controlling others' hearts while remaining steadfast in our own convictions and invitation to truth.