وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ ۖ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ 7
Translations
And those who disbelieved say, "Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?" You are only a warner, and for every people is a guide.
Transliteration
Wa-yaqūlu alladhīna kafarū law-lā unzila 'alayhi āyatun min rabbih, innama anta mundhir, wa-li-kulli qawmin hād.
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers demand a miraculous sign be sent down to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), yet Allah reminds them that the Prophet's role is to be a warner, not a sign-giver, and that every community has been sent a guide. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Allah's wisdom determines the means of guidance; the demand for signs is a test of faith, and the Quran itself serves as the supreme miracle for those who reflect upon it.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader Medinan context addressing the persistent objections of the disbelievers and hypocrites who rejected the Prophet despite clear signs. It reflects the historical reality of Meccan and Medinan opposition, where the disbelievers continually demanded spectacular miracles as a condition for belief, while Allah's established practice (Sunnah) has always been to send warners and guides to every people.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports that the Prophet said, 'Every Prophet has been given signs by which men believe,' indicating that while miracles were given to previous prophets, the greatest miracle for this Ummah is the Quran itself. Additionally, Tirmidhi records traditions about the Prophet's role as a 'warner' (mundhir), emphasizing his duty to deliver the message rather than compel belief.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that demanding signs as conditions for faith reflects spiritual arrogance; true guidance comes through reflection upon the signs already provided (the Quran, creation, and the Prophet's example). This teaches us that faith requires intellectual honesty and willingness to accept guidance, not endless material proofs.
Related Ayahs
ٱللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ وَفَرِحُوا۟ بِٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعٌ
Allāh extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. And they rejoice in the worldly life, while the worldly life is not, compared to the Hereafter, except [brief] enjoyment.
وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ وَعَلَيْنَا ٱلْحِسَابُ
And whether We show you part of what We promise them or take you in death, upon you is only the [duty of] notification, and upon Us is the account.
۞ مَّثَلُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ۖ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ أُكُلُهَا دَآئِمٌ وَظِلُّهَا ۚ تِلْكَ عُقْبَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ ۖ وَّعُقْبَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ٱلنَّارُ
The example [i.e., description] of Paradise, which the righteous have been promised, is [that] beneath it rivers flow. Its fruit is lasting, and its shade. That is the consequence for the righteous, and the consequence for the disbelievers is the Fire.
كَذَٰلِكَ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ فِىٓ أُمَّةٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهَآ أُمَمٌ لِّتَتْلُوَا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ
Thus have We sent you to a community before which [other] communities have passed on so you might recite to them that which We revealed to you, while they disbelieve in the Most Merciful. Say, "He is my Lord; there is no deity except Him. Upon Him I rely, and to Him is my return."