يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَنتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ 70
Translations
O People of the Scripture, why do you disbelieve in the verses of Allāh while you witness [to their truth]?
Transliteration
Ya ahlal-kitabi lima takfuruna bi-ayatillahi wa-antum tashadun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), reproaching them for rejecting His clear signs (ayat) despite their knowledge and testimony to their authenticity. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this ayah highlights the inexcusability of their disbelief, as they possessed scriptural knowledge and could recognize divine truth, yet deliberately turned away from it out of stubbornness, jealousy, or worldly interests. The phrase 'wa-antum tashadun' (while you bear witness) underscores their culpability—they cannot claim ignorance of God's signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ali 'Imran's broader dialogue with the People of the Book, addressing their rejection of Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an despite the prophecies in their own scriptures. It was revealed in Medina during the period of increased interaction and disputes between the Muslim community and Jewish tribes of Medina, serving to expose the unjustifiable nature of their denial.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3:39) where the Prophet ﷺ states: 'The worst people are those who recognize the truth and then reject it.' Additionally, the Qur'anic principle in 2:101 about those who 'exchange the signs of Allah for a small price' parallels this theme of inexcusable rejection despite knowledge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that knowledge without obedience is a source of greater accountability before Allah; those who recognize truth bear increased responsibility for accepting it. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that awareness of divine guidance demands genuine submission, not mere intellectual acknowledgment.