وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِىٓ إِلَيْهِ مَنْ أَنَابَ 27
Translations
And those who disbelieved say, "Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, [O Muḥammad], "Indeed, Allāh leaves astray whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him] -
Transliteration
Wa-yaqoolul-ladhīna kafarū law-lā unzila 'alayhi āyatun min rabbih. Qul innal-lāha yudillu man yashāu wa-yahdī ilayhi man anāb.
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers demand a miraculous sign from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as proof of his prophethood, but Allah responds through the Prophet that guidance is not determined by signs alone—rather, Allah guides whom He wills and those who turn to Him in repentance and sincere seeking. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes that the responsibility for guidance rests with Allah's divine will, while human responsibility lies in genuine inclination toward truth ('anāba); the rejection of faith is ultimately due to the hardness of hearts despite clear evidence.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Medinan Surah Ar-Ra'd and addresses the persistent demands of Meccan polytheists for miraculous signs despite witnessing the Qur'an itself as the greatest miracle. The broader context of the surah discusses the signs of Allah in creation and the resistance of disbelievers to divine guidance, reflecting the challenges faced by the early Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim from Abu Hurayrah where the Prophet said: 'Allah has written [the fate of] every soul's deeds' reflects the theme of divine will and predestination. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet stated that Allah guides 'the one who strives' (man anāba) aligns with the concept of human inclination toward guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
True guidance is not achieved through external signs alone, but through sincere intention and turning one's heart toward Allah; believers should focus on their own spiritual inclination and earnestness rather than demanding proof, as the greatest proof lies in the signs of creation and revelation already presented to us.