عُتُلٍّۭ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ 13
Translations
Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.
Transliteration
'Utul-lin ba'da dhālika zanīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a rejecter of faith as 'utull (stubborn, harsh, and violent) and zanīm (of dubious lineage or ignoble birth). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir interpret this as describing the character of those who arrogantly reject the message—combining both moral depravity and social ignominy. Al-Tabari notes that 'utull emphasizes the person's harsh, overbearing nature, while zanīm refers to one of mixed or illegitimate parentage, symbolizing spiritual illegitimacy and separation from noble guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Qalam's depiction of the rejecters of the Quran and their characteristics. The broader context of the surah (revealed in Mecca) addresses the mockery and rejection faced by the Prophet Muhammad, describing the types of people who oppose the message—particularly those combining arrogance, stubbornness, and social shame. This verse contributes to the surah's portrait of moral corruption among the disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
Narrated in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that the Prophet (ﷺ) described the people of Jahiliyyah with terms emphasizing their ignorance and moral depravity. Related to the general hadith principle that those who reject truth combine outward arrogance with inward spiritual emptiness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejection of truth often stems from a combination of inner arrogance and moral weakness; conversely, acceptance of guidance requires humility and noble character. For the believer, it serves as motivation to cultivate good character and receptiveness to divine wisdom, distinguishing oneself spiritually and morally from those who stubbornly reject the path of truth.