سُوْرَةُ الْجَاثِيَةِ

Surah Al-Jaathiya (45) — Ayah 18

Crouching · Meccan · Juz 25 · Page 500

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَىٰ شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ فَٱتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿18﴾
Then We have put you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) on a (plain) way of (Our) commandment [like the one which We commanded Our Messengers before you (i.e. legal ways and laws of the Islâmic Monotheism)]. So follow you that (Islâmic Monotheism and its laws), and follow not the desires of those who know not. (Tafsir At-Tabarî).
ثُمَّ thumma Then
جَعَلْنَـٰكَ jaʿalnāka We put you
عَلَىٰ ʿalā on
شَرِيعَةٍۢ sharīʿatin an ordained way
مِّنَ mina of
ٱلْأَمْرِ l-amri the matter
فَٱتَّبِعْهَا fa-ittabiʿ'hā so follow it
وَلَا walā and (do) not
تَتَّبِعْ tattabiʿ follow
أَهْوَآءَ ahwāa (the) desires
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna (of) those who
لَا (do) not
يَعْلَمُونَ yaʿlamūna know

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 18) ➊ The meaning of { ثُمَّ جَعَلْنٰكَ عَلٰى شَرِيْعَةٍ مِّنَ الْاَمْرِ: ’’ شَرِيْعَةٍ ‘‘} is a clear path and an evident way. By {’’ الْاَمْرِ ‘‘} is meant "the matter of religion." That is, when the Children of Israel, due to their rebellion, stubbornness, and hostility, did not remain firm upon the clear commands of the religion but instead split into many misguided sects, and their enmity and misguidance towards those who called to the clear and authentic religion reached such an extent that they did not even refrain from killing a distinguished prophet like the Messiah (peace be upon him), rather, in their assumption, they crucified him and considered themselves satisfied. When their rebellion reached this level, they were deprived of the virtue that they had in the form of leadership of the world. Then, O Muhammad! We set you upon the clear path and way of this matter (i.e., religion), and the service that was previously entrusted to the earlier prophets, We entrusted to you.

{ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَ لَا تَتَّبِعْ اَهْوَآءَ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ:} Therefore, you should follow Our prescribed way and obey the commands We have revealed, and do not follow the desires of those who do not know, that is, those who do not possess knowledge of divine revelation, or, despite having knowledge, do not act upon it, because they too are among those who do not know. By them are meant the People of the Book and the polytheists of Arabia. The emphasis on following only the commands revealed by Allah has been mentioned at numerous places in the Noble Qur’an; for details, see Surah Al-Ma’idah (48 to 50) and Surah Al-A’raf (3).

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.

18. 1. The literal meaning of Shari'ah is "religion" and "method." A highway is also called "shari'" because it leads to the goal and destination. Thus, Shari'ah refers to that religion which Allah has prescribed for His servants so that by following it, people may attain the purpose of Allah's pleasure. The meaning of the verse is: We have established you upon a clear path or method of religion that will lead you to the truth.

18. 2. Those who are unaware of Allah's oneness and His Shari'ah. The reference is to the disbelievers of Makkah and their associates.

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.

Then We set you on a clear way of religion [25]. So follow it, and do not follow the desires of those who do not know.

[25]
The Leadership of Establishing the Religion Transferred from the Children of Israel to the Ummah of Muhammad:

In this verse, "command" refers to the establishment of the religion. That is, O Prophet! Previously, for the guidance of the people of the world, We made the Children of Israel the standard-bearers of establishing the religion. They, however, split into many sects and began to quarrel and fight among themselves. In such a state, how could they fulfill the duty of establishing the religion? In fact, they were no longer worthy of it. Now, We have honored you with the position of leadership in establishing the religion. And the Shariah that is being given to you contains complete and clear instructions for establishing the religion. You should simply continue to act according to these commands and instructions. Every sect among the Children of Israel will expect you to support its position. Do not listen to any of them, because these people formed these sects not on the basis of knowledge, but due to following their own desires.