وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ تَعْرِفُ فِى وُجُوهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلْمُنكَرَ ۖ يَكَادُونَ يَسْطُونَ بِٱلَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا ۗ قُلْ أَفَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرٍّ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمُ ۗ ٱلنَّارُ وَعَدَهَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ 72
Translations
And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, you recognize in the faces of those who disbelieve disapproval. They are almost on the verge of assaulting those who recite to them Our verses. Say, "Then shall I inform you of [what is] worse than that? [It is] the Fire which Allāh has promised those who disbelieve, and wretched is the destination."
Transliteration
Wa-idha tutla 'alayhim ayatuna bayyinatun ta'rifu fi wujohi alladhina kafaroo al-munkar; yakadoona yastuun bi-alladhina yatluun 'alayhim ayatina. Qul afa-unabbikum bi-sharrin min dhalikum; al-naru wa'adaha Allahu alladhina kafaroo wa-bi'sa al-masir.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the hostile reaction of disbelievers when the clear verses of Allah are recited to them—their faces show evident displeasure and they nearly physically attack those who recite Allah's signs. In response, the Prophet is instructed to warn them of something far worse than their earthly hostility: the Fire of Hell, which Allah has promised as the final destination for those who reject faith. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this demonstrates both the intensity of the disbelievers' arrogance and the certainty of divine punishment for those who persist in rejecting Allah's guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan surah Al-Hajj and reflects the historical reality of opposition the Prophet Muhammad faced when reciting Quranic verses to the Meccan disbelievers. The passage addresses the psychological and physical aggression directed at those who conveyed Allah's message, providing reassurance that ultimate justice rests with Allah alone.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2907), highlighting the virtue of reciting and teaching Allah's verses despite opposition. Additionally, the Quran mentions in 25:31 that the disbelievers say of the Prophet: 'Why was not the Quran revealed to him all at once?'—reflecting their persistent rejection regardless of how the message was presented.
Themes
Key Lesson
When spreading Islamic knowledge and guidance, believers should not be deterred by opposition or hostility from disbelievers, as ultimate justice and accountability belong to Allah alone. The temporary aggression and rejection in this life pale in comparison to the eternal consequences awaiting those who persist in denying Allah's signs.