Surah Ali 'Imran 3:101
سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ · Medinan · Verse 101 of 200
وَكَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ وَأَنتُمْ تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتُ ٱللَّهِ وَفِيكُمْ رَسُولُهُۥ ۗ وَمَن يَعْتَصِم بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ هُدِىَ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ
Translation
How can you disbelieve when God’s revelations are being recited to you and His Messenger is living among you? Whoever holds fast to God will be guided to the straight path.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
Allah, the Most High, addresses the believers with a powerful question in this verse, expressing wonder and rebuke: `وَكَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ` (And how can you disbelieve?). This is not an inquiry because Allah is unaware, but a rhetorical question. As scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi explain, it conveys stern disapproval, astonishment, and a strong negation. It's like saying, "How on earth could disbelief ever touch you, given your immense blessings?" The context, as Ibn Ashur details, relates to a specific incident where a Jew attempted to reignite old tribal feuds among the Ansar (the Aws and Khazraj), tempting them towards discord which is a form of spiritual disbelief in unity.
Two Mighty Safeguards
The verse then immediately provides the reasons for this intense question, highlighting two profound safeguards against disbelief: `وَأَنتُمْ تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتُ ٱللَّهِ وَفِيكُمْ رَسُولُهُۥ` (while Allah's verses are recited to you, and His Messenger is among you).
The first safeguard, `تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتُ ٱللَّهِ`, points to the miraculous Quran being recited to them. Al-Zamakhshari notes that these verses were "fresh and new" (`غضة طرية`) on the tongue of the Messenger. The passive voice "are recited" (`تُتْلى`) emphasizes that the verses are constantly present, actively being delivered to them. This continuous, living revelation serves as a constant reminder and guide.
The second safeguard, `وَفِيكُمْ رَسُولُهُۥ`, emphasizes the physical presence of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Ibn Ashur highlights the significance of the word `فيكم` (among you), signifying a profound blessing and an immense favor. The Messenger was a living embodiment of the Quran, able to clarify doubts, guide directly, and warn against misguidance, effectively being a source of protection (`عصمة`) from error, as al-Razi points out.
Holding Firmly to Allah
The verse concludes with a universal principle and a promise: `وَمَن يَعْتَصِم بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ هُدِيَ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ` (And whoever holds fast to Allah has certainly been guided to a straight path). The word `يعتصم` (holds fast) comes from the root for protection or infallibility. Al-Razi explains it means to cling to something to prevent oneself from falling into harm. It is a metaphor, as Ibn Ashur clarifies, for firmly adhering to Allah's religion.
The phrase `فَقَدْ هُدِيَ` (has certainly been guided) uses the particle `قد` (qad), which here emphasizes certainty. It's a definitive assurance that anyone who takes Allah as their firm reliance and holds fast to His guidance will undoubtedly find the clear, straight path (`صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ`). As Qatadah observed, though the Messenger has passed, the Book remains, and thus, the path of holding fast to Allah's Book is an enduring source of guidance for all Muslims across time.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ali 'Imran 3:101 is discussed in 8 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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