ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى غَمْرَةٍ سَاهُونَ 11
Translations
Who are within a flood [of confusion] and heedless.
Transliteration
Alladhina hum fee ghamratin sahun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who are in a state of deep heedlessness and oblivion regarding the signs of Allah and the realities of faith. The word 'ghamrah' (غمرة) literally means to be immersed or drowned, while 'sahun' (ساهون) means negligent or inattentive, together depicting people completely absorbed in worldly distractions and unmindful of Allah's guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as referring to the disbelievers who reject the message despite clear evidence, their hearts sealed by their own choices.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Adh-Dhariyat, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes Allah's power, the certainty of the Day of Judgment, and the foolishness of those who turn away from divine guidance. The ayah is part of a passage (51:8-19) that contrasts the states of the righteous believers with those lost in heedlessness, reinforcing themes central to Meccan revelation about accountability and resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895), reminding believers to remain attentive (not sahun) to their responsibilities. Additionally, the Hadith Qudsi emphasizes that Allah does not burden a soul except within its capacity, highlighting the importance of conscious awareness in faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder to regularly examine our spiritual state and ensure we are not becoming absorbed in worldly pursuits at the expense of remembrance of Allah and reflection on His signs. Believers should strive for continuous mindfulness (dhikr) and conscious awareness of their faith to avoid the spiritual slumber described here.