وَلَوْ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَابًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَظَلُّوا۟ فِيهِ يَعْرُجُونَ 14
Translations
And [even] if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they continued therein to ascend,
Transliteration
Wa law fatahna alayhim baban min as-sama'i fa-zallū fīhi ya'rujūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a hypothetical scenario illustrating the obstinacy of disbelievers: even if Allah opened for them a gate from heaven and they continued ascending through it, they would still not believe. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as emphasizing that the kuffār's rejection is rooted in their hardened hearts and unwillingness to accept truth, not in the absence of miraculous signs. The ayah demonstrates that no amount of extraordinary evidence would change their stance, as their disbelief stems from spiritual blindness and arrogance rather than intellectual deficiency.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah Al-Hijr's discussion of the Meccan disbelievers' rejection of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Qur'an. The broader passage addresses the obstinacy of those who refuse belief despite clear signs, and this particular ayah serves to illustrate the futility of their resistance to truth—no miraculous sign, however spectacular, would penetrate their denial.
Related Hadiths
The concept of hardened hearts resistant to guidance is reflected in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned that hearts can be sealed (khatama Allah 'ala qulūbihim) as a consequence of persistent rejection of truth. Additionally, Surah Al-A'raf 7:101 presents a similar theme about the rejection of signs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith requires not merely external evidence but an open and receptive heart willing to submit to truth. For believers, it serves as a reminder that our role is to convey the message clearly; ultimate guidance comes from Allah, and the responsibility for belief and acceptance lies with those who receive the message.