وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَفَلَمْ تَكُنْ ءَايَـٰتِى تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَٱسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ وَكُنتُمْ قَوْمًا مُّجْرِمِينَ 31
Translations
But as for those who disbelieved, [it will be said], "Were not Our verses recited to you, but you were arrogant and became a criminal people?
Transliteration
Wa-amma alladhina kafaroo afalam takun ayatee tutla alaykum fastakbartum wa kuntum qawman mujrimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment, rebuking them for their rejection despite receiving clear signs (the Qur'an). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that their arrogance (istikbar) and criminal behavior (ijram) prevented them from accepting the truth, despite having full awareness of Allah's signs. The ayah highlights that rejection of divine guidance stems not from lack of knowledge but from deliberate arrogance and moral corruption.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the final scene of Surah Al-Jathiyah, which depicts the Day of Judgment and Allah's address to believers and disbelievers regarding their deeds. The broader context of the surah emphasizes signs in creation and the consequences of rejecting them. The specific context here is Allah's direct address to the disbelievers in the afterlife, making their inexcusable state clear.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most despicable person in Allah's sight is the obstinate disbeliever' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim states that on the Day of Judgment, the Qur'an will be brought forward, and those who turned away from it will be condemned.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that rejecting divine guidance is not a matter of ignorance but of willful arrogance and moral degradation. For believers, it serves as a warning to remain humble before Allah's signs and to guard against the pride that blinded the disbelievers.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ مَّا كَانَ حُجَّتَهُمْ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوا۟ ٱئْتُوا۟ بِـَٔابَآئِنَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, their argument is only that they say, "Bring [back] our forefathers, if you should be truthful."
تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱللَّهِ نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ وَءَايَـٰتِهِۦ يُؤْمِنُونَ
These are the verses of Allāh which We recite to you in truth. Then in what statement after Allāh and His verses will they believe?
وَتَرَىٰ كُلَّ أُمَّةٍ جَاثِيَةً ۚ كُلُّ أُمَّةٍ تُدْعَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ كِتَـٰبِهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And you will see every nation kneeling [from fear]. Every nation will be called to its record [and told], "Today you will be recompensed for what you used to do.
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَنْ أَسَآءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ
Whoever does a good deed - it is for himself; and whoever does evil - it is against it [i.e., the self or soul]. Then to your Lord you will be returned.