قَدْ سَأَلَهَا قَوْمٌ مِّن قَبْلِكُمْ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحُوا۟ بِهَا كَـٰفِرِينَ 102
Translations
A people asked such [questions] before you; then they became thereby disbelievers.
Transliteration
Qad sa'alaha qawmun min qablikum thumma asbahoo biha kafirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to people before the Muslims who asked Allah for signs and miracles, then disbelieved in them when they were granted. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a warning against the Jews and Christians who witnessed clear signs yet rejected them, and more broadly, a reminder that asking for unnecessary signs after clear guidance has been given is a characteristic of those inclined toward disbelief. The ayah emphasizes that obstinate demand for miracles, coupled with predetermined rejection, is a sign of spiritual sickness rather than genuine seeking of truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Ma'idah's discussion of the People of the Book and their treatment of divine signs. It follows prohibitions on asking unnecessary questions that would burden the ummah, connecting to the theme that excessive questioning without sincere intent leads to hardness of heart and rejection of truth, as seen in the behavior of previous communities.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The worst of people are those who ask too many questions and spend their wealth wastefully' (related to excessive questioning). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the seventy thousand who will enter Paradise without reckoning, described as those 'who do not ask for ruqyah (healing verses) and do not see evil omens in things, and rely on their Lord.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns believers against hardening their hearts toward divine guidance and teaches that sincere acceptance of truth requires openness of heart, not obstinate demands for signs that mask inner disbelief. In modern context, it reminds us that intellectual honesty in faith matters more than perpetually seeking justifications to reject what we already know to be true.