فَمَا لَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ 20
Translations
So what is [the matter] with them [that] they do not believe,
Transliteration
Fama lahum la yu'minun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah expresses bewilderment at the disbelievers' rejection of faith despite the clear signs of Allah presented to them. Ibn Kathir notes that this rhetorical question emphasizes the inexcusability of their disbelief, as they have been given sufficient evidence through the Quran, the Prophet's message, and the signs in creation. Al-Tabari explains that the ayah serves as a powerful indictment of those who turn away from truth out of arrogance and stubbornness rather than genuine intellectual doubt.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Inshiqaq is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period when the Quraysh were persistently rejecting the Prophet Muhammad's message despite its clarity. This ayah appears near the end of the surah as a concluding rebuke to those who witness the miraculous signs—including the celestial phenomena and the Quran itself—yet refuse to believe. The context reflects the frustration of the early Muslim community facing sustained rejection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who believe in me and those who come after me.' (Sahih Bukhari 3445) - This relates to the obligation to believe in the message. Additionally, 'Whoever hears of me and does not believe in me shall not enter Paradise.' (Sahih Muslim 153) - emphasizing the inexcusability of rejecting clear guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejection of faith often stems not from lack of evidence but from spiritual hardness of heart and worldly desires. For modern readers, it encourages reflection on our own receptivity to divine guidance and warns against allowing pride or material attachments to prevent us from recognizing and accepting truth.