وَما عَلَيكَ أَلّا يَزَّكّىٰ
Though you are not liable if he does not purify himself.
EXPOSITION
This verse emphasises that it is not the Prophet’s or anyone else’s fault if someone does not accept the message of Islam. His only responsibility is to deliver God’s message in its totality,
But if they turn their backs [on you], your duty is only to communicate in clear terms (16:82). In a way, God is indirectly informing the Prophet that the self-complacent addressees were lost in arrogance, and no amount of preaching would change their outlook. This is especially significant when compared to the previous surah, where God sends Prophet Moses (a) to Pharaoh, instructing him, And say: ‘Would you purify yourself (tazakkā)? I will guide you to your Lord, that you may fear [Him]?’ (79:18-19). Certainly, Pharaoh was the epitome of one lost in arrogance; nevertheless, God instructs His prophet to deliver him the message, perhaps he would take heed of it. In effect, only God knows who can purify themselves and who cannot, yet the message must be delivered to all, and the prophets of God cannot ignore any individual. However, as this surah teaches us, the priority should be to tend to the believers.
REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE
There are two possibilities for the meaning of mā in mā ʿalayka. The first is that it is for negation, in which case it would mean: you are not liable if he does not purify himself. The second possibility is that it is for interrogation, in which case it would mean: what would be your liability, if he does not purify himself?
[1] See also Razi, 31/54.
[2] Mizan, 20/201. Tabatabai prefers the first option.