Turn away — because of their stance
Therefore, because they are so dismissive, defiant in their opposition and disbelief and reliant upon making up false allegations, turn away from them تَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ.
51:54 — Ayah and translation
فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَمَا أَنتَ بِمَلُومٍ
“So, turn away from them as you are not to be blamed”.
Insights
A grave turning point
In all the other stories when the Prophet was told to turn away from his nation, it was followed by Allah’s punishment descending upon them. It is said that when this Aayah was revealed the companions thought this was the end and that Allah’s punishment was coming.
What this command signals
A Prophet being commanded by Allah to turn away from his Qawm (nation) suggests that you (O Prophet) have done what you could but now is the time for Allah to deal with them.
Context of the command
The elite opposition
The context of this command to turn away relates to the elite of the Quraish because they are the ones who stood in opposition against the Messenger ﷺ and the message and it was they who spread the false accusations against him.
“You are not to be blamed”
Complete absolution
فَمَا أَنتَ بِمَلُومٍ — There is no blame on you for turning away from them; you should not believe that you have been told to turn away because you have failed or fallen short in any way in your conveyance to them.
A powerful negation
The use of مَا of negation and the addition of بِ to the object of negation in His statement فَمَا أَنتَ بِمَلُومٍ is a strong form of negation — an utter negation of blame being attached to the Prophet ﷺ.
Implication: they are to blame.
Ibn ‘Ashour on phrasing
The focus on “you” (أنت)
“He (i.e., Allah) فَمَا أَنتَ بِمَلُومٍ “You are not to be blamed” and did not say “There is no blame on you” or something like that”.
Ibn ‘Ashour highlights that the way this statement has been made and structured with the أَنْتَ “You” and the prepositional بِ attached to مَلُومٍ emphasises that the Messenger ﷺ is not somebody that can be blamed. The focus is therefore not on the blame but rather on you (i.e., the Prophet ﷺ). This emphasises the Prophet’s ﷺ elevated status and complete absolution from having blame attached to him.