وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ فَأَبَىٰٓ أَكْثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ إِلَّا كُفُورًا 89
Translations
And We have certainly diversified for the people in this Qur’ān from every [kind of] example, but most of the people refused except disbelief.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad sarrrafnā li-n-nāsi fī hādhā l-qur'āni min kulli mathalin fa-abā aktharu n-nāsi illā kufūrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah states that He has presented in the Qur'an every type of example and parable for mankind in diverse and varied ways to facilitate understanding and guidance, yet the majority of people stubbornly reject the truth and persist in disbelief. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that despite Allah's provision of clear signs and multiple approaches to convey the message, human arrogance and heedlessness prevent acceptance. This ayah highlights the tragedy of choosing ingratitude (kufr) over divine guidance despite abundant evidence and clarity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan chapter revealed during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet's message. The context reflects the Meccan polytheists' persistent rejection despite numerous miracles and clear teachings, emphasizing that the Qur'an's clarity and comprehensiveness cannot be attributed to any deficiency in the message itself.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth; some of which is fertile land that absorbs water and brings forth vegetation and pasture in abundance...' (Sahih Bukhari 79). This hadith parallels the ayah's theme of varied receptivity to divine guidance despite its clarity.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that clarity of divine truth does not guarantee acceptance, as choice and free will remain with humanity; our responsibility is to convey the message with wisdom and patience, understanding that ultimate guidance rests with Allah alone. For modern readers, it is a humbling reminder against despair in da'wah work and an encouragement to examine our own hearts for hidden arrogance that might prevent us from accepting truth.
Related Ayahs
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And they ask you, [O Muḥammad], about the soul. Say, "The soul is of the affair [i.e., concern] of my Lord. And you [i.e., mankind] have not been given of knowledge except a little."
وَقُرْءَانًا فَرَقْنَـٰهُ لِتَقْرَأَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ مُكْثٍ وَنَزَّلْنَـٰهُ تَنزِيلًا
And [it is] a Qur’ān which We have separated [by intervals] that you might recite it to the people over a prolonged period. And We have sent it down progressively.
إِلَّا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ إِنَّ فَضْلَهُۥ كَانَ عَلَيْكَ كَبِيرًا
Except [We have left it with you] as a mercy from your Lord. Indeed, His favor upon you has ever been great.
وَقَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا عِظَـٰمًا وَرُفَـٰتًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ خَلْقًا جَدِيدًا
And they say, "When we are bones and crumbled particles, will we [truly] be resurrected as a new creation?"