صُمٌّۢ بُكْمٌ عُمْىٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ 18
Translations
Deaf, dumb and blind - so they will not return [to the right path].
Transliteration
Summun bukmun 'umyun fahum lā yarji'ūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who reject the signs of Allah as being spiritually deaf, dumb, and blind—unable to perceive divine guidance. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, these are metaphorical descriptions of those whose hearts are sealed from understanding the Quran, despite having physical faculties intact. The phrase 'fahum lā yarji'ūn' (they will not return) emphasizes their persistent rejection and unwillingness to turn back to the truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the opening section of Surah Al-Baqarah (verses 1-20) which describes different categories of people in relation to the Quran: believers, disbelievers, and hypocrites. This specific ayah describes the disbelievers (kāfirūn) who obstinately reject divine signs despite clear evidence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The example of the one who recites the Quran is like a citron whose smell is pleasant and whose taste is sweet, and the example of the one who does not recite the Quran is like a date whose smell is not pleasant and whose taste is not sweet.' (Sahih Bukhari 5059) - This hadith contrasts those who engage with divine guidance versus those who turn away.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that rejecting divine guidance is not merely an intellectual failing but a spiritual disease that affects the heart, ears, and mind. We should regularly examine our hearts to ensure we remain receptive to Allah's signs and guidance, lest we fall into heedlessness and spiritual blindness.