سَآءَ مَثَلًا ٱلْقَوْمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَأَنفُسَهُمْ كَانُوا۟ يَظْلِمُونَ 177
Translations
How evil an example [is that of] the people who denied Our signs and used to wrong themselves.
Transliteration
Sa'a mathalan al-qawm alladhina kadhdhabo bi-ayatina wa-anfusahum kanu yad'limun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who reject Allah's signs and thereby wrong themselves, emphasizing that their example is the worst possible example (sa'a mathalan). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as showing that those who deny divine revelations are not merely harming others, but are committing the gravest injustice against their own souls by depriving themselves of guidance and incurring punishment. The phrase 'wa-anfusahum kanu yad'limun' (and they were wronging themselves) stresses personal accountability—their disbelief is a deliberate act of self-harm.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan section of Surah Al-A'raf, which addresses the Meccan polytheists' rejection of the Prophet Muhammad's message and the clear signs presented to them. The broader context discusses various peoples throughout history who rejected their prophets, and this ayah serves as a warning to the Quraysh about the consequences of denying divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best example (mathalan) is that of Allah' (related to examples and comparisons). Additionally, Surah Al-A'raf 7:179 follows immediately after, discussing those who have hearts but understand not, reinforcing the theme of self-imposed spiritual blindness.
Themes
Key Lesson
Rejecting divine guidance is ultimately an act of self-harm that deprives the soul of truth and righteousness; believers should recognize that their acceptance of Allah's signs protects them from this spiritual tragedy and should be grateful for their guidance.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ مَّا كَانَ حُجَّتَهُمْ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوا۟ ٱئْتُوا۟ بِـَٔابَآئِنَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, their argument is only that they say, "Bring [back] our forefathers, if you should be truthful."
أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَبَؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ ۛ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ ۛ لَا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۚ جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرَدُّوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فِىٓ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا كَفَرْنَا بِمَآ أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِۦ وَإِنَّا لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّا تَدْعُونَنَآ إِلَيْهِ مُرِيبٍ
Has there not reached you the news of those before you - the people of Noah and ʿAad and Thamūd and those after them? No one knows them [i.e., their number] but Allāh. Their messengers brought them clear proofs, but they returned their hands to their mouths and said, "Indeed, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent, and indeed we are, about that to which you invite us, in disquieting doubt."
وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ كِتَـٰبًا فِى قِرْطَاسٍ فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ لَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
And even if We had sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], a written scripture on a page and they touched it with their hands, the disbelievers would say, "This is not but obvious magic."
كَذَٰلِكَ يُؤْفَكُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
Thus were those [before you] deluded who were rejecting the signs of Allāh.