وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ عَنْهَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ 36
Translations
But the ones who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina kadhdhaba bi-ayatina wa-astakbara 'anha ula'ika ashabu al-nari hum fiha khalidun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who reject Allah's signs and turn away in arrogance, declaring them to be inhabitants of Hell who will remain therein eternally. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that the combination of denial (takdhib) and arrogance (istikbar) constitutes a grave transgression that seals one's fate, as arrogance prevents acceptance of truth even when signs are presented. The eternal nature of their punishment (khalidun) reflects the finality of their choice to reject guidance while possessing the capacity to understand it.
Revelation Context
This verse is part of a broader Meccan passage addressing the Quraysh's rejection of the Prophet Muhammad and the signs of Allah. It comes within the narrative of Surah Al-A'raf, which contrasts the believers who accept the signs with the disbelievers who arrogantly reject them, establishing the consequences of each choice. The thematic context emphasizes that rejection coupled with pride is an unforgivable offense.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (SAW) said: 'The most hated person to Allah is the most proud and arrogant' (Sahih Bukhari 3895). Additionally, the Prophet warned: 'Whoever has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance will not enter Paradise' (Sahih Muslim 91), directly relating to the condition of istikbar mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that both intellectual rejection of truth and spiritual arrogance are destructive; we must cultivate humility and openness to Allah's guidance. Modern readers should reflect on how arrogance blinds the heart from recognizing truth and how sincere submission requires both intellectual acceptance and humble surrender to Allah's will.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُجَـٰدِلُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَـٰنٍ أَتَىٰهُمْ ۙ إِن فِى صُدُورِهِمْ إِلَّا كِبْرٌ مَّا هُم بِبَـٰلِغِيهِ ۚ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ
Indeed, those who dispute concerning the signs of Allāh without [any] evidence having come to them - there is not within their breasts except pride, [the extent of] which they cannot reach. So seek refuge in Allāh. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Seeing.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِقَآئِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَئِسُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَتِى وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And the ones who disbelieve in the signs of Allāh and the meeting with Him - those have despaired of My mercy, and they will have a painful punishment.
وَمَا تَأْتِيهِم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍ مِّنْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ
And no sign comes to them from the signs of their Lord except that they turn away therefrom.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنْهَا يَضْحَكُونَ
But when he brought them Our signs, at once they laughed at them.