وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يَمَسُّهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْسُقُونَ 49
Translations
But those who deny Our verses - the punishment will touch them for their defiant disobedience.
Transliteration
Wa allatheena kadhdhaboo bi-ayatina yamasshuhum al-adhab bima kanoo yafsuqoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns that those who reject Allah's signs will be punished for their transgression and disobedience. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that the punishment (adhab) is a direct consequence of their kufr (disbelief) and fisq (flagrant disobedience), demonstrating Allah's justice in holding the deniers accountable. The ayah affirms that rejection of divine revelation inevitably leads to divine punishment in this life and the hereafter.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the Meccan period of Surah Al-An'am, which broadly addresses the rejection of the Quran and Prophet Muhammad by the Meccan disbelievers. The surah emphasizes the consequences of denying Allah's signs (ayat) and the certainty of punishment for those who persist in kufr and transgression.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever rejects Allah and His signs will be punished.' (Thematic relation in Sahih Muslim 172). Also relevant is the hadith about the protection of those who believe and obey versus the punishment of those who reject: 'Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow; but those who have disbelieved and denied Our signs—those are the companions of the Fire.' (Thematic connection to 2:25)
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a stern reminder that rejecting divine guidance has serious consequences, encouraging believers to reflect deeply on their acceptance of Allah's signs and to avoid the transgression and disobedience that leads to punishment. For contemporary readers, it emphasizes the importance of sincere engagement with Islamic teachings and living righteously.
Related Ayahs
وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَحَاقَ بِٱلَّذِينَ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ ٱلنَّاسُ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَنزَلْنَا ٱلْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥ وَرُسُلَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ
We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allāh may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرُونَ
Assuredly, it is they in the Hereafter who will be the greatest losers.
لَّيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِن ضَرِيعٍ
For them there will be no food except from a poisonous, thorny plant