Ar-Ra'd 13:40 · The Thunder · Arabic, translation, recitation

Other English translations

Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+

"Whether We let you [Prophet] see part of what We threaten them with, or cause you to die [before that], your duty is only to deliver the message: the Reckoning is Ours."

Pickthall (classic)+

"Whether We let thee see something of that which We have promised them, or make thee die (before its happening), thine is but conveyance (of the message). Ours the reckoning."

Yusuf Ali (classic)+

"Whether We shall show thee (within thy life-time) part of what we promised them or take to ourselves thy soul (before it is all accomplished),- thy duty is to make (the Message) reach them: it is our part to call them to account."

Tafsīr · classical commentary

Ibn Kathir

Abridged English, public domain

Punishment is by Allah, and the Messenger's Job is only to convey the Message

Allah said to His Messenger ,

وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ

`(Whether We show you) O Muhammad, part of the disgrace and humiliation We have promised your enemies in this life,

أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ

(or cause you to die) before that,

فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَـغُ

(your duty is only to convey We have only sent you to convey to them Allah's Message, and by doing so, you will have fulfilled the mission that was ordained on you,

وَعَلَيْنَا الْحِسَابُ

(and on Us is the reckoning), their reckoning and recompense is on Us.' Allah said in similar Ayat,

فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ - لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُسَيْطِرٍ - إِلاَّ مَن تَوَلَّى وَكَفَرَ - فَيْعَذِّبُهُ اللَّهُ الْعَذَابَ الاٌّكْبَرَ - إِنَّ إِلَيْنَآ إِيَابَهُمْ - ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُمْ

(So remind them - you are only one who reminds. You are not a dictator over them - Save the one who turns away and disbelieves. Then Allah will punish him with the greatest punishment. Verily, to Us will be their return, Then verily, for Us will be their reckoning.)88:21-26 Allah said next,

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْاْ أَنَّا نَأْتِى الاٌّرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَا

(See they not that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying borders.) Ibn `Abbas commented, "See they not that We are granting land after land to Muhammad ﷺ" Al-Hasan and Ad-Dahhak commented that this Ayah refers to Muslims gaining the upper hand over idolators, just as Allah said in another Ayah,

وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا مَا حَوْلَكُمْ مِّنَ الْقُرَى

(And indeed We have destroyed towns round about you.) 46:27

Tafsir Saʿdi

English translation, public domain

О Мухаммад! Не желай поскорее увидеть, как неверующих постигнет обещанное им наказание. Если они будут и впредь исповедовать неверие и творить беззаконие, то их непременно постигнет то, что им было обещано. Мы можем показать тебе погибель нечестивцев в этой жизни, а можем упокоить тебя до этого. Лицезрение обещанного возмездия - не твоя задача. Тебе велено передать людям откровение и разъяснить его смысл. А Наше дело - призвать людей к ответу за совершенные ими деяния, и тогда всякий, кто справился со своими обязанностями, получит вознаграждение, а всякий, кто проявил халатность, получит наказание.