Tafseer of Explained in detail · Fussilat · 41:6
Say, O [Muhammad], "I am only a man like you to whom it has been revealed that your god is but one God; so take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness." And woe to those who associate others with Allah -
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The explanation of the saying of the Exalted: قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ يُوحَى إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَاسْتَقِيمُوا إِلَيْهِ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ وَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ (6) ("Say: 'I am only a human being like you; it is revealed to me that your god is one single god. So go straight toward Him sincerely and ask Him for forgiveness. And woe to the polytheists (mushrikīn)'") (6).
The Exalted, whose remembrance is exalted, says: Say, O Muḥammad, to those people of your nation who turn away from the signs of Allāh: O people, I am nothing other than a human being from the children of Ādam, like you in kind, form, and shape; I am not an angel. يُوحَى إِلَيَّ ("it is revealed to me"): Allāh reveals to me that there is no worshipped being for you whose worship is fitting, except one single worshipped being. فَاسْتَقِيمُوا إِلَيْهِ ("So go straight toward Him sincerely") means: then go straight toward Him in obedience, and turn your faces toward Him with longing and worship, and not toward the gods and the idols.
He says: and ask Him for forgiveness for your sins which you have committed before, by showing repentance for your ascribing of partners (shirk); then He will turn to you in forgiveness and forgive you.
