مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ 36
Translations
What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?
Transliteration
Mā lakum kayfa taḥkumūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah expresses Allah's reproof and astonishment at the misguided judgments and beliefs of those who deny the truth of the Qur'an and the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The phrase challenges the people's reasoning and their distorted criteria for judgment, questioning how they can hold such false opinions when the truth is evident. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi note this serves as a rhetorical rebuke emphasizing the illogic of rejecting clear signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Qalam, a Meccan surah that defends the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an against the accusations of the Meccan disbelievers who claimed he was a poet or possessed by jinn. The ayah specifically addresses those who made false judgments about the nature of the Qur'an and the prophethood.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Surah Al-Qalam's overall theme relates to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) confirmed the Qur'an's divine origin against claims that it was poetry or sorcery.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to examine our judgments carefully and ensure they are based on sound reasoning and evidence rather than desires or inherited beliefs. It serves as a reminder that rejecting clear truth without valid reasoning is a serious spiritual and intellectual failure.