وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ 10
Translations
But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those are the companions of Hellfire.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhīna kafarū wa-kadhdhābū bi-āyātinā ulā'ika aṣḥābu al-jahīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns that those who disbelieve and reject the signs (āyāt) of Allah are the inhabitants of Hell. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this rejection is not merely intellectual but involves active denial and contradiction of Allah's clear proofs. Al-Qurtubi notes that the combination of kafara (disbelief) and kadhdhaba (lying/rejecting) indicates a deliberate turning away from truth despite its clarity, making such individuals deserving of the gravest punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Ma'idah, which was revealed in the Medinan period and frequently addresses the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) regarding their rejection of Islamic truth. The broader context of verses 5:1-18 deals with covenant-breaking and the consequences of rejecting divine guidance, making this ayah part of a passage warning those who stubbornly refuse to accept the message.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports the Prophet (ﷺ) saying: 'Whoever rejects Allah and His Messenger, verily the Fire of Hell shall be his abode.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah records that the Prophet warned against those who hear the Quran and turn away from it, placing them among the people of punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah emphasizes that rejecting clear divine evidence carries grave consequences—disbelief is not merely a passive state but an active choice that distances one from mercy. For believers, it serves as both a warning against complacency in faith and motivation to convey the message of Allah with clarity, knowing that ultimate judgment rests with the All-Knowing.