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.