قَالُوٓا۟ أَجِئْتَنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱللَّـٰعِبِينَ 55
Translations
They said, "Have you come to us with truth, or are you of those who jest?"
Transliteration
Qālū ajitanā bil-haqqi am anta mina al-lāʿibīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The people responded to Prophet Ibrahim's call to monotheism by questioning whether he came to them with truth or was merely joking. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this reflects the mockery and incredulity of the Meccan polytheists who could not fathom that their ancestral idolatry was false. The question itself reveals their spiritual blindness and reluctance to accept the message of tawhīd (divine oneness), despite its clarity.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim confronting his people about their idol-worship. The surah portrays Ibrahim's logical argument against idolatry (21:52-67), and his people's dismissive response demonstrates the typical resistance prophets faced from those attached to pre-Islamic traditions. This exchange exemplifies the struggle between divine guidance and human stubbornness.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3445) describes how the Quraysh mocked the prophets, reflecting the same attitude shown in this ayah. Additionally, Surah Al-Anbya 21:26 addresses similar mockery: 'And they say, 'The Most Merciful has taken [for Himself] a son,' but this is a grave statement they are producing.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that truth-bearers throughout history have faced ridicule and rejection from those invested in falsehood, yet the clarity of monotheism remains unchanged. We should guard against similar arrogance by remaining open to divine guidance and not dismissing truth because it challenges our inherited beliefs or comfort.
Related Ayahs
وَجَعَلْنَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِهِمْ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا فِجَاجًا سُبُلًا لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ
And We placed within the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with them, and We made therein [mountain] passes [as] roads that they might be guided.
قُلْنَا يَـٰنَارُ كُونِى بَرْدًا وَسَلَـٰمًا عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ
We [i.e., Allāh] said, "O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham."
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَـٰهُمَا ۖ وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ ۖ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and then We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?
يَوْمَ نَطْوِى ٱلسَّمَآءَ كَطَىِّ ٱلسِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأْنَآ أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُۥ ۚ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَآ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ
The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.