فَٱتَّخَذْتُمُوهُمْ سِخْرِيًّا حَتَّىٰٓ أَنسَوْكُمْ ذِكْرِى وَكُنتُم مِّنْهُمْ تَضْحَكُونَ 110
Translations
But you took them in mockery to the point that they made you forget My remembrance, and you used to laugh at them.
Transliteration
Fattakhdhatum-oohum sikhriyan hattaa ansawkum dhikree wa kuntum minhum tadhhakoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the disbelievers mocked and ridiculed the believers, causing them to neglect the remembrance of Allah through their constant ridicule and mockery. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the verse depicts the spiritual danger of mockery—how persistent ridicule from others can gradually weaken one's connection to Allah's remembrance and cause believers to participate in the same sinful behavior out of social pressure or weakness of faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Mu'minun, which outlines the characteristics of true believers and contrasts them with disbelievers. It is part of a passage describing the Day of Judgment when disbelievers will regret their treatment of believers, acknowledging how their mockery caused believers spiritual harm. The broader theme addresses the persecution believers face and its subtle dangers to faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever mocks a person for a sin will not die until he commits that sin himself' (narrated by At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith about maintaining the remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and its protective effects is relevant throughout Islamic literature.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must guard against both mocking others and being influenced by mockery, as ridicule poses a serious threat to spiritual steadfastness and one's connection to Allah. In modern times, this teaches us to be cautious about peer pressure and social influences that may distance us from our religious obligations and remembrance of God.
Related Ayahs
لَعَلِّىٓ أَعْمَلُ صَـٰلِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ ۚ كَلَّآ ۚ إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَآئِلُهَا ۖ وَمِن وَرَآئِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind." No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱنصُرْنِى بِمَا كَذَّبُونِ
[Noah] said, "My Lord, support me because they have denied me."
أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ خَرْجًا فَخَرَاجُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ
Or do you, [O Muḥammad], ask them for payment? But the reward of your Lord is best, and He is the best of providers.
وَشَجَرَةً تَخْرُجُ مِن طُورِ سَيْنَآءَ تَنۢبُتُ بِٱلدُّهْنِ وَصِبْغٍ لِّلْـَٔاكِلِينَ
And [We brought forth] a tree issuing from Mount Sinai which produces oil and food [i.e., olives] for those who eat.