وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا كِذَّابًا 28
Translations
And denied Our verses with [emphatic] denial.
Transliteration
Wa kadhdhaboo bi-ayatina kidhdhaba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the disbelievers of Mecca rejected Allah's signs with persistent and habitual denial (kidhdhaba denotes repeated, excessive lying). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the phrase emphasizes the stubborn nature of their rejection—they did not simply disbelieve once, but repeatedly and deliberately denied the clear proofs despite their knowledge of the truth. This reflects the Quranic theme that rejection of divine signs stems not from ignorance alone, but from willful obstinacy and hardened hearts.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Naba is a Meccan surah addressing the polytheists who mocked the Prophet Muhammad and rejected his message. This ayah appears in the latter portion of the surah (verses 27-30) where Allah describes the punishment awaiting those who persistently denied His signs and the message of the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The worst of people are those who deny the signs of Allah and the meeting with Him' (Sahih Bukhari 4694). Additionally, 'Whoever disputes concerning the signs of Allah without knowledge has only arrogance within themselves and no faith' (Surah Ghafir 40:35, referenced in tafsir literature as illustrating the attitude described in 78:28).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that denial of truth often stems from willful stubbornness rather than genuine confusion; therefore, we should examine our hearts for pride and resistance to guidance. It also serves as a warning that repeated rejection of signs hardens the heart further, making repentance increasingly difficult.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوٓا۟ أَوَلَمْ تَكُ تَأْتِيكُمْ رُسُلُكُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ ۚ قَالُوا۟ فَٱدْعُوا۟ ۗ وَمَا دُعَـٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ
They will say, "Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?" They will say, "Yes." They will reply, "Then supplicate [yourselves], but the supplication of the disbelievers is not except in error [i.e., futility]."
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَـٰقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِم بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ ٱلْأَنۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَقَوْلِهِمْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌۢ ۚ بَلْ طَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And [We cursed them] for their breaking of the covenant and their disbelief in the signs of Allāh and their killing of the prophets without right and their saying, "Our hearts are wrapped" [i.e., sealed against reception]. Rather, Allāh has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few.
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ هَـٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, those who disbelieve say of the truth when it has come to them, "This is obvious magic."
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِقَآئِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَئِسُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَتِى وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And the ones who disbelieve in the signs of Allāh and the meeting with Him - those have despaired of My mercy, and they will have a painful punishment.