قَدْ كَانَتْ ءَايَـٰتِى تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ تَنكِصُونَ 66
Translations
My verses had already been recited to you, but you were turning back on your heels.
Transliteration
Qad kānat āyātī tutlā ʿalaykum fakuntum ʿalā aʿqābikum tankiṣūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment, reminding them that His signs (verses of the Qur'an) were recited to them in the world, yet they turned away and retreated backwards in rejection and denial. This ayah emphasizes their willful rejection despite having access to clear guidance, highlighting their culpability on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that 'turning on their heels' (naksun ʿalā al-aʿqāb) is a metaphor for complete rejection and withdrawal from the truth after having heard it.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Mu'minun's description of the Day of Judgment and the fate of believers versus disbelievers. It is part of a broader Meccan passage addressing those who rejected the Prophet's message despite hearing the Qur'anic verses recited to them repeatedly. The surah emphasizes that disbelievers will have no excuse on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of rejecting clear signs is the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth.' Also relevant is the general principle found in multiple hadith collections that those who hear the message and reject it bear greater responsibility.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that mere exposure to Islamic guidance is insufficient—sincere acceptance and adherence are required. For believers, it underscores the importance of not becoming complacent with religious knowledge but actively living by it, while cautioning against the spiritual danger of dismissing divine truth once it has been made clear.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَـٰٓـُٔوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓأَىٰٓ أَن كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَانُوا۟ بِهَا يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
Then the end of those who did evil was the worst [consequence] because they denied the signs of Allāh and used to ridicule them.
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُجَـٰدِلُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ أَنَّىٰ يُصْرَفُونَ
Do you not consider those who dispute concerning the signs of Allāh - how are they averted?
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا فِىٓ أَعْنَـٰقِهِمْ أَغْلَـٰلًا فَهِىَ إِلَى ٱلْأَذْقَانِ فَهُم مُّقْمَحُونَ
Indeed, We have put shackles on their necks, and they are to their chins, so they are with heads [kept] aloft.
أَوْ تَقُولُوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَكُنَّآ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْهُمْ ۚ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ ۚ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَّبَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَصَدَفَ عَنْهَا ۗ سَنَجْزِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَصْدِفُونَ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْدِفُونَ
Or lest you say, "If only the Scripture had been revealed to us, we would have been better guided than they." So there has [now] come to you a clear evidence from your Lord and a guidance and mercy. Then who is more unjust than one who denies the verses of Allāh and turns away from them? We will recompense those who turn away from Our verses with the worst of punishment for their having turned away.