أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ 155
Translations
Then will you not be reminded?
Transliteration
Aflā tatadhakkarūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question: 'Will you not then remember/reflect?' It appears in the context of Surah As-Saffat where Allah is reminding the disbelievers of His signs and the lessons from past nations. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this question is directed at those who witness clear evidences yet fail to take heed, emphasizing the necessity of contemplation and mindfulness of Allah's warnings. The ayah calls believers and disbelievers alike to use their intellect and recall the consequences faced by those who rejected the truth.
Revelation Context
Surah As-Saffat is a Meccan surah revealed during a period of intense opposition to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This particular ayah is part of a broader passage discussing the Day of Judgment and refutations of polytheistic beliefs. The ayah serves as a wake-up call to the Quraysh and other disbelievers who possessed knowledge of previous scriptures and prophets yet rejected the message.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, the theme of remembrance (dhikr) and reflection is central to numerous hadiths, such as: 'The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafah, and the best thing that I and the prophets before me have said is: There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, alone, without partner' (Tirmidhi 3585), emphasizing the importance of remembrance and reflection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that intellectual engagement with divine signs is a fundamental religious obligation; mere hearing or reading is insufficient without active reflection and remembrance. In our modern context, it reminds us to pause and deeply contemplate the messages and signs around us rather than moving through life unconsciously.