وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ 57
Translations
And they who disbelieved and denied Our signs - for those there will be a humiliating punishment.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina kafaroo wa-kaddhaboo bi-ayatina fa-ula'ika lahum adhab muhin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that those who disbelieve and reject Allah's signs will face a humiliating punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'adhab muhin' (humiliating torment) refers to both the shame of rejection in this world and severe punishment in the Hereafter. The rejection of clear signs after their manifestation compounds the severity of the punishment, as disbelief is not due to ignorance but willful denial.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Hajj, a Medinan chapter that juxtaposes the fates of believers and disbelievers. The broader surah discusses the Hajj pilgrimage, divine signs, and the ultimate judgment. This particular verse contrasts the reward of those who believe with the punishment of those who knowingly reject Allah's revelations, reinforcing the themes of accountability and divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most disgraced person on the Day of Resurrection will be he who turned away from my Sunnah' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, numerous hadiths emphasize the severity of rejecting clear proofs, as in the Qur'an 4:137 paired with traditions about those who persistently deny truth.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejecting divine guidance is not a trivial matter but carries serious spiritual consequences, encouraging us to humbly accept Allah's signs and warnings. It also instills hope in believers that their faith protects them from such humiliation, motivating steadfastness in Islam.