Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Say: "Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he (Messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is only responsible for the duty placed on him (i.e. to convey Allâh’s Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only to convey (the message) in a clear way (i.e. to preach in a plain way)."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قُلْqulSay
أَطِيعُوا۟aṭīʿūObey
ٱللَّهَl-lahaAllah
وَأَطِيعُوا۟wa-aṭīʿūand obey
ٱلرَّسُولَ ۖl-rasūlathe Messenger
فَإِنfa-inbut if
تَوَلَّوْا۟tawallawyou turn away
فَإِنَّمَاfa-innamāthen only
عَلَيْهِʿalayhiupon him
مَاmā(is) what
حُمِّلَḥummila(is) placed on him
وَعَلَيْكُمwaʿalaykumand on you
مَّاmā(is) what
حُمِّلْتُمْ ۖḥummil'tum(is) placed on you
وَإِنwa-inAnd if
تُطِيعُوهُtuṭīʿūhuyou obey him
تَهْتَدُوا۟ ۚtahtadūyou will be guided
وَمَاwamāAnd not
عَلَىʿalā(is) on
ٱلرَّسُولِl-rasūlithe Messenger
إِلَّاillāexcept
ٱلْبَلَـٰغُl-balāghuthe conveyance
ٱلْمُبِينُl-mubīnu[the] clear
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 54) ➊ { قُلْاَطِيْعُوااللّٰهَوَاَطِيْعُواالرَّسُوْلَ:} That is, not only Allah’s command but also the command of the Messenger should be obeyed. It does not need to be explained that after the death of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), obeying him means following his Sunnah. ➋ {فَاِنْتَوَلَّوْا : ’’ تَوَلَّوْا ‘‘} In the original, it is {’’تَتَوَلَّوْا‘‘}, which is the present tense, second person form, meaning “if you turn away.” This is not the past tense, third person form, which would mean “if they turn away,” because ahead they are being addressed: «{ فَاِنَّمَاعَلَيْهِمَاحُمِّلَوَعَلَيْكُمْمَّاحُمِّلْتُمْ }» That is, if you disobey in any way, it will not harm the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) at all. His responsibility was only to convey Allah’s message to you, so he has conveyed this message. Now it is your responsibility to act upon it; if you turn away from it, then consider your own end. ➌ { وَاِنْتُطِيْعُوْهُتَهْتَدُوْا :} That is, if you obey the Messenger, you will be guided; if you obey anyone else, you will not be guided. Ibn Atiyyah has quoted the saying of some of the Salaf here, which is the best explanation of this verse. He writes: “Whoever makes the Sunnah his leader in his words and actions will speak with wisdom and insight, and whoever makes his desires his leader in his words and actions will speak of innovation.” [ المحرر الوجیز ] ➍ { وَمَاعَلَىالرَّسُوْلِاِلَّاالْبَلٰغُالْمُبِيْنُ :} That is, if you are not guided, the blame will not be on the Messenger but on you.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
54-1. That is, the preaching and invitation which he is delivering. 54-2. That is, to accept the preaching and invitation, to believe in Allah and His Messenger, and to obey them. 54-3. Because he invites towards the straight path.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
54. Say, "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger." But if you turn away, then upon him is only what he is charged with (i.e., delivering the message), and upon you is what you are charged with (i.e., obedience). And if you obey him, you will be guided. And the Messenger's responsibility is only to convey the message clearly [82].
[82] That is, the Messenger is bound to fulfill his responsibility and you are bound to fulfill yours. The responsibility of the Messenger is only to convey to you the message of Allah, and he has fulfilled it. And your responsibility is to listen to him and obey him, in which you are hesitating. And you are merely trying to assure obedience for the future by taking oaths, but remember that if you comply with his commands, it is for your own good. You will live with honor and comfort in this world and will be successful in the Hereafter. And if you do not do so, it will not harm the Messenger in any way. You yourselves will have to bear the consequences of your own wickedness.