أَوَلَمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوا۟ ۗ مَا بِصَاحِبِهِم مِّن جِنَّةٍ ۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ 184
Translations
Then do they not give thought? There is in their companion [i.e., Muḥammad (ﷺ)] no madness. He is not but a clear warner.
Transliteration
Awalam yatafakkaroo ma bi-sahibihim min jinnah in huwa illa nadheerun mubeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the disbelievers of Mecca, asking why they do not reflect upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), noting that there is no madness (jinnah) in him—he is simply a clear warner sent by Allah. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this verse challenges the pagan Arabs' accusations of the Prophet's mental illness, while Al-Tabari notes it appeals to reason and observation: anyone observing the Prophet's character, speech, and actions would recognize his soundness of mind and divine mission.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-A'raf's broader refutation of Meccan objections to the Prophet's message. It addresses a specific accusation made by disbelievers who claimed the Prophet was possessed by jinn or mentally ill, a common charge against him during his prophetic mission in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4:55:632): The Prophet's companions testified to his perfect character and rationality. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the Prophet's responses to accusations of madness, where he emphasized his clear transmission of the divine message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to critically examine accusations against righteous people and to use reason and observation rather than blind prejudice; it also reminds us that warning against falsehood and calling toward truth is the essential role of the messengers, and their integrity should be evident in their conduct.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ٱلنَّبِىِّ ٱلْأُمِّىِّ ٱلَّذِى يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَٱتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allāh to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allāh and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allāh and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.
وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ نَزْغٌ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allāh. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَلِقَآءِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ ۚ هَلْ يُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Those who denied Our signs and the meeting of the Hereafter - their deeds have become worthless. Are they recompensed except for what they used to do?
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
And thus do We [explain in] detail the verses, and perhaps they will return.