وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَـٰتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ 50
Translations
But they say, "Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, "The signs are only with Allāh, and I am only a clear warner."
Transliteration
Wa qaalū law lā unzila 'alayhi āyātun min rabbih. Qul innamā al-āyātu 'inda Allāh wa innamā anā nadhīrun mubīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers demanded visible miracles as proof of the Prophet's message, but Allah reminds them through this ayah that all signs and miracles are ultimately in Allah's authority and control. The Prophet Muhammad is commanded to clarify his role: he is merely a clear warner sent to convey the message, not responsible for producing miracles on demand. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the greatest miracle—the Qur'an itself—was already provided, and rejection despite clear signs constitutes willful denial rather than insufficient evidence.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition when the Quraysh consistently demanded spectacular miracles to validate the Prophet's claim. The broader context of Surah Al-'Ankabut addresses the testing of believers and the obstinacy of disbelievers who demanded physical proofs despite the Qur'an's existence as the foremost miracle.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet said, 'Every prophet has been given miracles because of which people believed, but what I have been given is the Divine Revelation which Allah has revealed to me' (Sahih Bukhari, 4981). Additionally, 'The greatest sign between me and you is the Qur'an' relates to Allah's provision of the ultimate proof.
Themes
Key Lesson
Belief should not depend on the constant repetition of extraordinary signs; the Qur'an and clear wisdom are sufficient guidance for the sincere seeker. Modern believers should recognize that demanding perpetual miracles reflects a heart inclined toward disbelief rather than genuine spiritual inquiry, and should instead reflect on the profound wisdom and preserved nature of the Qur'an itself.
Related Ayahs
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَنفَالِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا۟ ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ ۖ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
They ask you, [O Muḥammad], about the bounties [of war]. Say, "The [decision concerning] bounties is for Allāh and the Messenger." So fear Allāh and amend that which is between you and obey Allāh and His Messenger, if you should be believers.
وَسْـَٔلْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلْنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً يُعْبَدُونَ
And ask those We sent before you of Our messengers; have We made besides the Most Merciful deities to be worshipped?
وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
And when Jesus brought clear proofs, he said, "I have come to you with wisdom [i.e., prophethood] and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ, so fear Allāh and obey me.
۞ وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ لَا تَتَّخِذُوٓا۟ إِلَـٰهَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ ۖ إِنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ فَإِيَّـٰىَ فَٱرْهَبُونِ
And Allāh has said, "Do not take for yourselves two deities. He [i.e., Allāh] is but one God, so fear only Me."