Surah Al-An'am — Verse 147

Word Meanings:

• Kadhdhabooka (كَذَّبُوكَ): They denied you or rejected you as false.
• Dhu Rahmatin Wasi‘ah (ذُو رَحْمَةٍ وَاسِعَةٍ): Possessor of vast, all-encompassing mercy.
• Ba’suhu (بَأْسُهُ): His severe punishment or divine retribution.
• Al-Mujrimin (الْمُجْرِمِينَ): The criminals, those who persist in sin and wrongdoing.

Tafsir (Explanation):

O Messenger, if those who oppose you—whether from the polytheists, the People of the Book, or others—deny the truth you have brought, do not despair and do not argue with them endlessly. Instead, respond to their denial with a message that balances hope and warning. Say to them: "Your Lord is the Owner of vast mercy." Indeed, His mercy is so expansive that He does not hasten to punish you despite your rejection and sins. He gives you time, grants you respite, and opens the door of repentance for you—this is a manifestation of His boundless compassion. But let them not be deceived by this delay, for His punishment, when it does come, cannot be repelled or turned back from a people who have persisted in crime and transgression. The same mercy that delays punishment is also just, and His justice will inevitably overtake those who continue in their wrongdoing without turning back to Him.

This verse carries a profound dual message: it invites people to hope in Allah’s mercy, which embraces all creation, while simultaneously warning them that His might and justice are inescapable. The Prophet ﷺ was instructed to convey this in a manner that softens hearts—first reminding them of mercy, then cautioning them of the consequences of their actions. This approach reflects the beauty of Islamic da‘wah: it never abandons hope for people’s guidance, yet it never compromises on the truth of accountability.

Da‘wah Reflection:

Dear reader, reflect on how your Lord introduces Himself here—as the Owner of vast mercy—even when addressing those who deny His messenger. This is an invitation for you to never lose hope in His forgiveness, no matter how great your sins may seem. His mercy is wider than your mistakes, and His door of repentance is always open. But do not mistake His patience for neglect; rather, see it as a loving call to return before the storm arrives. Let this verse inspire you to be among those who rush to His mercy, not among those who test His justice. The choice is yours, and His mercy is waiting.