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.
Related Ayahs
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا وَنَسِىَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ ۚ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا ۖ وَإِن تَدْعُهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ فَلَن يَهْتَدُوٓا۟ إِذًا أَبَدًا
And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord but turns away from them and forgets what his hands have put forth? Indeed, We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if you invite them to guidance - they will never be guided, then - ever.
وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ
And indeed, they [i.e., the devils] avert them from the way [of guidance] while they think that they are [rightly] guided
بَلْ قُلُوبُهُمْ فِى غَمْرَةٍ مِّنْ هَـٰذَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْمَـٰلٌ مِّن دُونِ ذَٰلِكَ هُمْ لَهَا عَـٰمِلُونَ
But their hearts are covered with confusion over this, and they have [evil] deeds besides that [i.e., disbelief] which they are doing,
مَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا هَادِىَ لَهُۥ ۚ وَيَذَرُهُمْ فِى طُغْيَـٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
Whoever Allāh sends astray - there is no guide for him. And He leaves them in their transgression, wandering blindly.