أَمْ تَأْمُرُهُمْ أَحْلَـٰمُهُم بِهَـٰذَآ ۚ أَمْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ طَاغُونَ 32
Translations
Or do their minds command them to [say] this, or are they a transgressing people?
Transliteration
Am ta'muruhum ahlamuhum bi-hadha am hum qawmun taghun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah questions whether the disbelievers' own desires and vain dreams command them to reject the truth, or whether they are simply a transgressive people who knowingly rebel against divine guidance. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah criticizes the Meccan polytheists for following their base desires and personal whims rather than accepting the clear message of the Quran. The rhetorical question emphasizes that their rejection stems from willful arrogance and deviation, not from any rational basis.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah At-Tur, a Meccan surah that addresses the rejection of the Message by the polytheists of Mecca. The broader passage (52:29-34) responds to the disbelievers' mockery and accusations against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), highlighting that their opposition is rooted in transgression rather than legitimate doubt.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Hadith Qudsi: 'My servant continues to draw near to Me with optional acts of worship until I love him' (Sahih Bukhari 6502), as it emphasizes the contrast between those who follow their desires versus those who submit to Allah's will. Also relevant is the hadith regarding hawa (desire): 'The most evil of people is the one who follows his desires and forgets his Lord' (Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that spiritual blindness often results not from intellectual weakness but from choosing to follow one's desires over divine guidance; it encourages self-reflection on whether we truly seek truth or merely justify our predetermined positions.