إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ 33
Translations
Indeed, he did not used to believe in Allāh, the Most Great,
Transliteration
Innahu kana la yu'minu billahi al-'azim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the disbeliever's fundamental rejection of Allah's greatness and majesty. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as the disbeliever's persistent denial and refusal to acknowledge Allah's supreme power and attributes, which is the root cause of their deviation and punishment. The use of 'kana' (was/used to be) emphasizes the habitual and persistent nature of their disbelief throughout their lifetime.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah Al-Haqqah's description of the Day of Judgment and the fate of disbelievers. It specifically relates to the disbeliever who denied the Quran and rejected the message, contextualizing their punishment as the natural consequence of their refusal to believe in Allah's magnificence and authority.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah, and the next greatest is to disbelieve in Him.' (Related in various hadith collections). Additionally, 'Whoever dies while associating partners with Allah enters the Fire' (Sahih Muslim), emphasizing the gravity of disbelief mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a reminder that persistent rejection of faith in Allah's magnificence has eternal consequences, encouraging believers to constantly affirm their belief in Allah's greatness and to guard against complacency in their faith. It also warns against habitual sins that harden the heart against divine guidance.
Related Ayahs
مُّهْطِعِينَ إِلَى ٱلدَّاعِ ۖ يَقُولُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ هَـٰذَا يَوْمٌ عَسِرٌ
Racing ahead toward the Caller. The disbelievers will say, "This is a difficult Day."
مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُوا۟ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلْكُفْرِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ خَـٰلِدُونَ
It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allāh [while] witnessing against themselves with disbelief. [For] those, their deeds have become worthless, and in the Fire they will abide eternally.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those are the companions of Hellfire.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally."