قُلْ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۠ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى ۖ وَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ 108
Translations
Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allāh with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allāh; and I am not of those who associate others with Him."
Transliteration
Qul hadhihi sabiliy ad'u ilallahi 'ala basiratin ana wa mani ittaba'ani wa subhanallaahi wa ma ana minal mushrikeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
In this ayah, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is commanded to declare that his method of calling people to Allah is based on clear knowledge and insight ('ala basiratin), and this applies both to himself and to those who follow him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that da'wah (Islamic call) must be rooted in sound understanding of the Quran and Sunnah, not mere emotion or conjecture. The ayah concludes with a clear disassociation from polytheism (shirk), affirming that monotheistic belief is fundamental to this path.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the end of Surah Yusuf and reflects the broader thematic context of the surah, which emphasizes patience, divine guidance, and steadfast monotheism. It serves as a general directive for all Muslims regarding the proper methodology of calling others to Islam with knowledge and sincerity, transcending the specific narrative of Prophet Joseph.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of those who follow him, without any decrease in their rewards' (Sahih Muslim). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Convey from me even if it is one ayah' (Sahih Bukhari), stressing knowledge-based da'wah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that inviting others to Islam requires both personal knowledge and conviction ('basiratin'), not blind imitation or emotional appeals. For modern believers, it emphasizes that spreading Islamic teachings must be grounded in sound understanding and authentic sources, while maintaining unwavering commitment to monotheism and distinguishing oneself from all forms of associating partners with Allah.
Related Ayahs
وَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا۟ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَهُمْ أَبُوهُم مَّا كَانَ يُغْنِى عَنْهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ إِلَّا حَاجَةً فِى نَفْسِ يَعْقُوبَ قَضَىٰهَا ۚ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذُو عِلْمٍ لِّمَا عَلَّمْنَـٰهُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And when they entered from where their father had ordered them, it did not avail them against Allāh at all except [it was] a need [i.e., concern] within the soul of Jacob, which he satisfied. And indeed, he was a possessor of knowledge because of what We had taught him, but most of the people do not know.
قَالَ قَآئِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ لَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ يُوسُفَ وَأَلْقُوهُ فِى غَيَـٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ يَلْتَقِطْهُ بَعْضُ ٱلسَّيَّارَةِ إِن كُنتُمْ فَـٰعِلِينَ
Said a speaker among them, "Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well; some travelers will pick him up - if you would do [something]."
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَأَجْمَعُوٓا۟ أَن يَجْعَلُوهُ فِى غَيَـٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَـٰذَا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."
وَقَالَ يَـٰبَنِىَّ لَا تَدْخُلُوا۟ مِنۢ بَابٍ وَٰحِدٍ وَٱدْخُلُوا۟ مِنْ أَبْوَٰبٍ مُّتَفَرِّقَةٍ ۖ وَمَآ أُغْنِى عَنكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ ۖ إِنِ ٱلْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَعَلَيْهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
And he said, "O my sons, do not enter from one gate but enter from different gates; and I cannot avail you against [the decree of] Allāh at all. The decision is only for Allāh; upon Him I have relied, and upon Him let those who would rely [indeed] rely."