VisualDhikr|

Obedience and Disobedience

View in graph
theme

Obedience and Disobedience

الطاعة والمعصية

At the heart of a Muslim's spiritual journey lies the profound understanding of obedience (الطاعة) and disobedience (المعصية). These concepts define our relationship with Allah, the All-Merciful, and reflect our commitment to His divine will. Obedience signifies willingly submitting to Allah's commands and the teachings of His Messenger, guided by love and gratitude. It encompasses acts of worship and following ethical guidelines, such as [doing good to parents and relatives, orphans, and the needy, and speaking good words to people]. Conversely, disobedience means deviating from this path, whether through negligence, forgetfulness, or intentional defiance. The Quran recounts the first act of human disobedience when Adam and Eve were instructed [not to approach a specific tree], illustrating that even minor transgressions carry consequences. Throughout history, communities have faced challenges when [they disobeyed after He had shown them that which they love], leading to immediate worldly repercussions. Ultimately, [whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger – indeed, Allah is severe in penalty], underscoring the gravity of turning away from divine guidance. Striving for obedience is therefore central to attaining Allah's pleasure and success in both this life and the Hereafter.

Quran 10 verses

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَقُولُوا۟ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ

Wa iz akhaznaa meesaaqa Baneee Israaa'eela laa ta'budoona illal laaha wa bil waalidaini ihsaananw wa zil qurbaa walyataamaa walmasaakeeni wa qooloo linnaasi husnanw wa aqeemus salaata wa aatuzZakaata summa tawallitum illaa qaleelam minkum wa antum mu'ridoon

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], "Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah." Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

اور جب ہم نے بنی اسرائیل سے عہد لیا کہ خدا کے سوا کسی کی عبادت نہ کرنا اور ماں باپ اور رشتہ داروں اور یتیموں اور محتاجوں کے ساتھ بھلائی کرتے رہنا اور لوگوں سے اچھی باتیں کہنا، اور نماز پڑھتے اور زکوٰة دیتے رہنا، تو چند شخصوں کے سوا تم سب (اس عہد سے) منہ پھیر کر پھر بیٹھے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: This verse speaks of the pledge which Allah had made the Israelites take, and the few people it refers to as having been true to the pledge were those who acted upon the Shari'ah of Sayyidna Musa (علیہ السلام) (Moses) as long as it was in force, and when it was abrogated, followed the Shari` ah of S...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And mention when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel in the Torah where We said ‘You shall not worship a variant reading for lā ta‘budūna has third person plural lā ya‘budūn ‘they shall not worship’ any other than God lā ta‘budūna illā Llāha is a predicate denoting a prohibition; one may ...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Covenant that Allah took from the Children of Israel Allah reminded the Children of Israel of the commandments that He gave them, and the covenants that He took from them to abide by those commands, and how they intentionally and knowingly turned away from all of that. Allah commanded them to wo...

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تُطِيعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَٰبِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا۟ خَٰسِرِينَ

Yaaa 'aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo in tutee'ullazeena kafaroo yaruddookum 'alaaa a'qaabkum fatanqaliboo khaasireen

O you who have believed, if you obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you back on your heels, and you will [then] become losers.

مومنو! اگر تم کافروں کا کہا مان لو گے تو وہ تم کو الٹے پاؤں پھیر کر (مرتد کر) دیں گے پھر تم بڑے خسارے میں پڑ جاؤ گے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: When Muslims faced a temporary setback during the battle of Uhud and rumours went around that the Prophet ﷺ has been martyred, the hypocrites found an occasion for mischief under the shadows of a battle nearly lost. They said to Muslims: 'Now, that the Prophet is no more with us, why should we not g...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: O you who believe if you obey the disbelievers in what they command you they will make you turn back on your heels back to unbelief and you will revert as losers.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Prohibition of Obeying the Disbelievers; the Cause of Defeat at Uhud Allah warns His believing servants against obeying the disbelievers and hypocrites, because such obedience leads to utter destruction in this life and the Hereafter. This is why Allah said, إِن تُطِيعُواْ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يَ...

وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥٓ إِذْ تَحُسُّونَهُم بِإِذْنِهِۦ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَشِلْتُمْ وَتَنَٰزَعْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ وَعَصَيْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَآ أَرَىٰكُم مَّا تُحِبُّونَ مِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ثُمَّ صَرَفَكُمْ عَنْهُمْ لِيَبْتَلِيَكُمْ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا عَنكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Wa laqad sadaqakumul laahu wa'dahooo iz tahussoo nahum bi iznihee hattaaa izaa fashiltim wa tanaaza'tum fil amri wa 'asaitum mim ba'di maaa araakum maa tuhibboon; minkum mai yureedud dunyaa wa minkum mai yureedul Aakhirah; summa sarafakum 'anhum sarafakum 'anhum liyabtaliyakum wa laqad 'afaa 'ankum; wallaahu zoo fadlin 'alal mu'mineen

And Allah had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing the enemy by His permission until [the time] when you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given by the Prophet] and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love. Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then he turned you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. And He has already forgiven you, and Allah is the possessor of bounty for the believers.

اور خدا نے اپنا وعدہ سچا کر دیا (یعنی) اس وقت جبکہ تم کافروں کو اس کے حکم سے قتل کر رہے تھے یہاں تک کہ جو تم چاہتے تھے خدا نے تم کو دکھا دیا اس کے بعد تم نے ہمت ہار دی اور حکم (پیغمبر) میں جھگڑا کرنے لگے اور اس کی نافرمانی کی بعض تو تم میں سے دنیا کے خواستگار تھے اور بعض آخرت کے طالب اس وقت خدا نے تم کو ان (کے مقابلے) سے پھیر (کر بھگا) دیا تاکہ تمہاری آزمائش کرے اور اس نے تمہارا قصور معاف کر دیا اور خدا مومنو پر بڑا فضل کرنے والا ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary: The High Station of the Noble Companions: As obvious, the noble Companions made an error of judgement during the battle of Uhud which forms the subject of admonition and correction in the previous continuity of verses. But, equally worth noticing here are the graces of Allah Almighty sho...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: God has been true to His promise towards you of giving you victory when you slew them by His leave by His will until you lost heart until you shrank from battle and quarrelled disagreed over the command that is the command of the Prophet s that you remain at the foot of the mountain for the arrow at...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Prohibition of Obeying the Disbelievers; the Cause of Defeat at Uhud Allah warns His believing servants against obeying the disbelievers and hypocrites, because such obedience leads to utter destruction in this life and the Hereafter. This is why Allah said, إِن تُطِيعُواْ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يَ...

وَيَٰٓـَٔادَمُ ٱسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَكُلَا مِنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

Wa yaaa Aadamus kun anta wa zawjukal Jannata fakulaa min haisu shi'tumaa wa laa taqrabaa haazihish shajarata fatakoonaa minza zaalimeen

And "O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat from wherever you will but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers."

اور ہم نے آدم (سے کہا کہ) تم اور تمہاری بیوی بہشت میں رہو سہو اور جہاں سے چاہو (اور جو چاہو) نوش جان کرو مگر اس درخت کے پاس نہ جاؤ ورنہ گنہگار ہو جاؤ گے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary The story of Sayyidna 'Adam (علیہ السلام) and Iblis mentioned in the present verses has appeared in the fourth section of Surah Al-Baqarah. Detailed comments have been given in the Tafsir of that Surah. If needed, please see Ma‘ariful-Quran, English Translation, Volume I, Pages 170-187.
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And He said ‘O Adam dwell you anta this is reiterated in order to emphasise the subject of the verb uskun ‘dwell’ and to supplement to it what follows and your wife Eve read Hawwā’ in the Garden and eat from whence you will but do not come near this tree to eat of it — and this was wheat — lest you ...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Shaytan's Deceit with Adam and Hawwa' and Their eating from the Forbidden Tree Allah states that He allowed Adam and his wife to dwell in Paradise and to eat from all of its fruits, except one tree. We have already discussed this in Surat Al-Baqarah. Thus, Shaytan envied them and plotted deceitfully...

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ شَآقُّوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ

Zaalika bi annahum shaaaqqul laaha wa Rasoolah; wa mai yushaqiqil laaha wa Rasoolahoo fa innal laaha shadeedul 'iqaab

That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger - indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

یہ (سزا) اس لیے دی گئی کہ انہوں نے خدا اور اس کے رسول کی مخالفت کی۔ اور جو شخص خدا اور اس کے رسول کی مخالفت کرتا ہے تو خدا بھی سخت عذاب دینے والا ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary Being enumerated from the very beginning are blessings of Allah Ta` ala which descended upon His obedient servants. The events of the battle of Badr are parts of the same chain. Out of the many blessings bestowed by Allah Ta` ala during the battle of Badr, the very first blessing is the b...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: That chastisement befalling them is because they had contended with they had opposed God and His Messenger whoever contends with God and with His Messenger surely God is severe in retribution against him.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Slumber overcomes Muslims Allah reminds the believers of the slumber that He sent down on them as security from the fear they suffered from, because of the multitude of their enemy and the sparseness of their forces. They were given the same favor during the battle of Uhud, which Allah described, ثُ...

قَالَ ٱذْهَبْ فَمَن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ جَزَآؤُكُمْ جَزَآءً مَّوْفُورًا

Qaalaz hab faman tabi'aka minhum fa inna Jahannama jazaaa'ukum jazaaa'am mawfooraa

[Allah] said, "Go, for whoever of them follows you, indeed Hell will be the recompense of you - an ample recompense.

خدا نے فرمایا (یہاں سے) چلا جا۔ جو شخص ان میں سے تیری پیروی کرے گا تو تم سب کی جزا جہنم ہے (اور وہ) پوری سزا (ہے)

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary The word: لَأَحْتَنِكَنَّ (subdue) in verse 62 is from: اِحتِنَاک (ihtinak) which means to exterminate or uproot something, or to subdue and overpower it completely. (Qurtubi) The word: وَاسْتَفْزِزْ (and entice) in verse 64 is from اِستِفزَاز (istifzaz) which basically means to cut off o...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Said He exalted be He to him Iblīs ‘Begone deferred to the time of the First Blast of the Trumpet. Whoever of them follows you — indeed Hell shall be your requital both yours and theirs a requital that is indeed ample sufficient and complete.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): اذْهَبْ `(Go,) I will give you respite.' According to another Ayah (Allah) said: قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنظَرِينَ - إِلَى يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ (Verily, you are of those allowed respite till the Day of the time appointed.) (38:80-81). Then Allah warned him and those who follow him among th...

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُۥ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُۥٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِى وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۢ بِئْسَ لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ بَدَلًا

Wa iz qulnaa lilma laaa'ikatis judoo li Aadama fasajadooo illaaa Ibleesa kaana minal jinni fafasaqa 'an amri Rabbih; afatattakhizoonahoo wa zurriyatahooo awliyaaa'a min doonee wa hum lakum 'aduww; bi'sa lizzaalimeena badalaa

And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord. Then will you take him and his descendants as allies other than Me while they are enemies to you? Wretched it is for the wrongdoers as an exchange.

اور جب ہم نے فرشتوں کو حکم دیا کہ آدم کو سجدہ کرو تو سب نے سجدہ کیا مگر ابلیس (نے نہ کیا) وہ جنات میں سے تھا تو اپنے پروردگار کے حکم سے باہر ہوگیا۔ کیا تم اس کو اور اس کی اولاد کو میرے سوا دوست بناتے ہو۔ حالانکہ وہ تمہارے دشمن ہیں (اور شیطان کی دوستی) ظالموں کے لئے (خدا کی دوستی کا) برا بدل ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary The progeny of Iblis, and his descendants and followers The word: ذُرِّ‌يَّتَهُ (dhurriyyatah) in verse 50 indicates that Iblis (Shaitan) has offspring, and a host of descendants and followers. Some commentators have said that 'progeny' at this place means 'accomplices.' That the Shaitan ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And when idh is dependent because it is governed by an implicit udhkur ‘mention when’ We said to the angels ‘Prostrate before Adam’ a prostration involving a bow not placing one’s forehead down to the ground as a greeting to him; and so they prostrated all except Iblīs. He was one of the jinn — some...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Story of Adam and Iblis Allah points out to the Children of Adam the enmity of Iblis towards them and their father before them, and rebukes those who follow him and go against their Creator and Master. It is He who created them from nothing and sustains and nourishes them by His kindness, yet th...

فَإِنْ عَصَوْكَ فَقُلْ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

Fa in asawka faqul innee bareee'um mimmmaa ta'maloon

And if they disobey you, then say, "Indeed, I am disassociated from what you are doing."

پھر اگر لوگ تمہاری نافرمانی کریں تو کہہ دو کہ میں تمہارے اعمال سے بےتعلق ہوں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: وَأَنذِرْ‌ عَشِيرَ‌تَكَ الْأَقْرَ‌بِينَ ﴿214﴾ And warn the nearest people of your clan, -26:214. ` Ashirah'o, عَشِيرَ‌ۃ means clan and by limiting it with 'aqrabin (the nearest people) it is used for close relatives. It is worth noting here that the mission of the Holy Prophet ﷺ as a messenger is un...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: But if they your kinsfolk disobey you say to them ‘I am absolved of what you do’ in worshipping gods other than God.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Command to warn His Tribe of near Kindred Here Allah commands (His Prophet ) to worship Him alone, with no partner or associate, and tells him that whoever associates others in worship with Him, He will punish them. Then Allah commands His Messenger to warn his tribe of near kindred, i.e., those...

فَٱسْتَخَفَّ قَوْمَهُۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا فَٰسِقِينَ

Fastakhaffa qawmahoo fa ataa'ooh; innahum kaanoo qawman faasiqeen

So he bluffed his people, and they obeyed him. Indeed, they were [themselves] a people defiantly disobedient [of Allah].

غرض اس نے اپنی قوم کی عقل مار دی۔ اور انہوں نے اس کی بات مان لی۔ بےشک وہ نافرمان لوگ تھے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: فَاسْتَخَفَّ قَوْمَهُ (Thus he made fool of his people - 43:54). According to the Arabic expression, this sentence may be translated in two ways; the translation adopted in the text above is based on one of them. The second one may be: "He (Fir'aun) easily made his people to follow him". (Ruh-u1-Ma’...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Thus did he Pharaoh persuade incite his people and they obeyed him in his wish that Moses be denied. They were truly an immoral folk.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Fir`awn's Address to His People and how Allah punished Him Allah tells us how Fir`awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt. أَلَيْسَ لِى مُلْكُ مِصْرَ وَهَـذِهِ الاٌّنْهَـرُ تَجْ...

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ لَا يَرْكَعُونَ

Wa izaa qeela lahumur ka'oo aa yarka'oon

And when it is said to them, "Bow [in prayer]," they do not bow.

اور جب ان سے کہا جاتا ہے کہ (خدا کے آگے) جھکو تو جھکتے نہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ارْ‌كَعُوا لَا يَرْ‌كَعُونَ (And when it is said to them, "Bow down", they do not bow down...77:48) According to most commentators, the word ruku' is used here in its primitive sense 'to bow down and submit'. The verse signifies that when they were told to submit to the Divine c...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: For when it is said to them ‘Bow down!’ perform prayer they do not bow down they do not perform prayer.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ** (Woe that Day to the deniers!) **(41. Verily, those who had Taqwa, shall be amidst shades and springs.) (42. And fruits, such as they desire.) (43. "Eat and drink comfortably for that which you used to do.") (44. Verily, thus We reward the Muhsinin.) (45. Woe t...

A detailed scholarly analysis for this topic is not yet available. Get in touch to request one.

Related Topics