وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ يَسْتَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ لَوَّوْا۟ رُءُوسَهُمْ وَرَأَيْتَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ وَهُم مُّسْتَكْبِرُونَ 5
Translations
And when it is said to them, "Come, the Messenger of Allāh will ask forgiveness for you," they turn their heads aside and you see them evading while they are arrogant.
Transliteration
Wa-idha qīla lahum ta'ālaw yasthaghfir lakum rasūlullāh lawwaw ru'ūsahum wa-ra'aytahum yaṣiddūn wa-hum mustakbirūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the arrogant behavior of the hypocrites when invited to seek the Prophet's intercession and forgiveness from Allah. Instead of accepting this honorable invitation, they turn away their heads in disdain and rejection, displaying their pride and spiritual blindness. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this demonstrates the hypocrites' simultaneous belief in the Prophet's status while rejecting his guidance—a fundamental contradiction that defines their condition.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Munafiqun, revealed in Medina to address the growing problem of hypocrisy among those who outwardly professed Islam while harboring disbelief. The specific context involves the hypocrites' rejection of the Prophet's spiritual leadership, highlighting their inner arrogance despite their outward claims of faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah and to disobey parents, and the utmost arrogance is to turn away from obedience' (Sahih Bukhari). Also relevant: 'Pride will not enter Paradise, nor will arrogance' (Sahih Muslim 131), which captures the spiritual consequence of the hypocrites' attitude.
Themes
Key Lesson
True belief requires not only intellectual acceptance but genuine submission and humility before Allah and His Prophet; arrogance acts as a barrier to guidance and spiritual growth, as demonstrated by those who possess knowledge of truth yet turn away due to pride and self-importance.