وَقَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلذِّكْرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجْنُونٌ 6
Translations
And they say, "O you upon whom the message has been sent down, indeed you are mad.
Transliteration
Wa qāloo yā ayyuha alladhī nuzzila ʿalayhi al-dhikru innaka lamajnūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers of Mecca mockingly addressed the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), calling him insane for receiving the Qur'an. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this was a common accusation leveled against the Prophet as a desperate attempt to discredit him and turn people away from his message, since they had no logical refutation of the Qur'an's eloquence and truth. Al-Qurtubi notes that this insult reveals the disbelievers' spiritual blindness and their resort to personal attacks when confronted with divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This verse occurs in the context of Surah Al-Hijr, a Meccan surah that addresses the Prophet's perseverance against the mockery and rejection of the Quraysh. The broader context of this surah deals with various accusations made against the Prophet and reassurance of divine protection. This specific ayah reflects the hostile environment the Prophet faced during the Meccan period.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari reports that the Prophet's uncle Abu Talib said to him, 'Your people call you a liar,' indicating the widespread rejection and accusations. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah contains reports of the disbelievers' various accusations against the Prophet, including claims of madness, which he patiently endured.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that facing ridicule, accusations, and rejection for upholding faith is a trial that tests sincerity and steadfastness. It reminds us that the truth requires patience in the face of adversity, and that those who reject divine guidance often resort to baseless personal attacks when they lack rational counterarguments.