Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:86 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah Aal-i-Imraan, Ayah 86
Arabic Text
كَيۡفَ يَهۡدِىۡ اللّٰهُ قَوۡمًا كَفَرُوۡا بَعۡدَ اِيۡمَانِهِمۡ وَشَهِدُوۡۤا اَنَّ الرَّسُوۡلَ حَقٌّ وَّجَآءَهُمُ الۡبَيِّنٰتُؕ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يَهۡدِىۡ الۡقَوۡمَ الظّٰلِمِيۡنَ
Transliteration
Kayfa yahdee Allahu qawman kafaroobaAAda eemanihim washahidoo anna arrasoola haqqunwajaahumu albayyinatu wallahu layahdee alqawma aththalimeen
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
Ali Imran 3:86 poses a rhetorical question emphasizing divine justice: 'How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and had witnessed that the Messenger is true and clear signs had come to them? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.' This verse addresses the gravity of apostasy - particularly when someone rejects faith after witnessing clear divine proofs and acknowledging the truth of the Messenger. According to classical Islamic scholarship, this refers to those who consciously reject truth despite having clear evidence, including the People of the Book who recognized Prophet Muhammad ﷺ but rejected him due to worldly considerations. The phrase 'clear signs' (al-bayyinat) encompasses the miraculous evidences, fulfilled prophecies, and divine revelations that establish the Prophet's authenticity. The verse emphasizes that divine guidance is withdrawn from those who willfully commit injustice (zulm) against themselves by rejecting manifest truth. However, Islamic scholars note that this doesn't preclude repentance, as subsequent verses offer hope for those who genuinely repent and reform. The historical context includes incidents like the Ansari man who apostatized but later sought to return, demonstrating that while Allah doesn't guide the persistently unjust, His mercy remains available for sincere repentance.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Tafsir & Context
Detailed tafsir and context for Surah Aal-i-Imraan Ayah 86 will be available soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah Aal-i-Imraan Ayah 86
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What is the meaning and context of Ali Imran 3:86 regarding apostasy and divine guidance?
Ali Imran 3:86 poses a rhetorical question: 'How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and had witnessed that the Messenger is true and clear signs had come to them?' This verse emphasizes divine justice regarding those who consciously reject faith after witnessing clear divine proofs. It particularly addresses the gravity of apostasy when someone has already acknowledged the truth of the Messenger and received manifest evidence.
❓What are the 'clear signs' or 'bayyinat' mentioned in this verse?
The 'clear signs' (al-bayyinat) refer to the miraculous evidences, fulfilled prophecies, divine revelations, and rational proofs that establish the authenticity of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. These include the Quran's linguistic miracle, accurate prophecies, moral transformation of society, and other signs that would convince any sincere seeker of truth about the Prophet's divine mission.
❓Why does the verse say Allah doesn't guide wrongdoers (zalimeen)?
The term 'zalimeen' (wrongdoers) here refers to those who commit injustice against themselves by willfully rejecting manifest truth. According to Islamic theology, Allah's guidance is available to all sincere seekers, but those who persist in deliberate rejection of clear evidence forfeit their claim to divine guidance. This represents divine justice - guidance is withdrawn from those who abuse the gift of free will to reject obvious truth.
❓Does this verse mean apostates can never receive guidance again?
No, this verse doesn't preclude the possibility of repentance. The subsequent verses (3:89) explicitly mention that those who repent and reform can receive Allah's forgiveness. The verse describes the state of those who persist in wrongdoing, not a permanent seal on their hearts. Islamic tradition includes examples of apostates who genuinely repented and were accepted back into the faith.
❓What is the historical context and specific incident behind this verse?
According to classical commentaries, this verse was revealed regarding an Ansari man who embraced Islam, then apostatized and joined the polytheists, but later regretted his decision and sought to return. The verse also addresses the People of the Book who recognized Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the promised messenger but rejected him due to worldly considerations, despite their hearts bearing witness to his truth.
❓How does this verse relate to the concept of witnessing the Messenger's truth?
The phrase 'witnessed that the Messenger is true' refers to both intellectual acknowledgment and heart-level recognition of the Prophet's authenticity. Many People of the Book privately acknowledged Muhammad ﷺ as the promised prophet described in their scriptures but publicly rejected him due to social, political, or economic pressures. This makes their rejection more culpable as it involves conscious denial of recognized truth.
❓What is the relationship between free will and divine guidance in this verse?
This verse illustrates the Islamic principle that while divine guidance is offered to all, its acceptance requires sincere seeking and honest submission to truth. Those who abuse their free will to reject clear evidence despite inner conviction demonstrate a corrupted spiritual state that makes them unworthy of continued divine guidance. This reflects Allah's justice - guidance is proportional to one's sincerity and response to truth.
❓How do Islamic scholars interpret the rhetorical nature of this question?
Islamic scholars explain that this rhetorical question emphasizes the impossibility of divine guidance for those who deliberately choose misguidance after receiving clear proof. It's not that Allah is unable to guide them, but that such guidance would contradict divine justice and wisdom. The question format emphasizes the absurdity of expecting guidance while persisting in willful rejection of manifest truth.
❓What lessons does this verse provide for contemporary Muslims regarding faith and doubt?
This verse teaches Muslims to value the blessing of faith and to be cautious about entertaining doubts that lead away from clear truth. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity in seeking knowledge and the danger of allowing worldly considerations to override spiritual convictions. The verse also reminds believers that divine guidance requires continuous gratitude and proper response to the signs Allah provides.
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Resources & References
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