قَالُوٓا۟ أَوَلَمْ تَكُ تَأْتِيكُمْ رُسُلُكُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ ۚ قَالُوا۟ فَٱدْعُوا۟ ۗ وَمَا دُعَـٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ 50
Translations
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]."
Transliteration
Qalū awalam taku ta'tīkum rusulukum bil-bayyināt qālū balā qālū fādū wa mā du'ā'ul-kāfirīn illā fī dhalāl
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts the dialogue on the Day of Judgment between the angels and the disbelievers in Hell. The angels ask whether the messengers did not come to them with clear signs and miracles, and the disbelievers acknowledge that they did. The angels then command them to call upon their false deities, and the Quran emphasizes that the supplication of the disbelievers is ultimately nothing but delusion and misguidance. As Ibn Kathir explains, this is a rhetorical refutation demonstrating that the disbelievers were without excuse, having rejected clear evidence during their lifetime.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ghafir's broader discussion of the Day of Judgment and the debate between the inhabitants of Paradise and Hell. It occurs within a Meccan surah that emphasizes divine warnings and the accountability of those who rejected the Prophet Muhammad's message despite receiving clear signs. The context addresses the futility of the disbelievers' pleas and their regret in the afterlife.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports that the Prophet ﷺ said regarding those who reject the signs: 'On the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will wish they had accepted faith.' Additionally, Sunan at-Tirmidhi contains narrations about how those in Hell will realize the truth of what was presented to them in the world.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that we cannot claim ignorance of God's truth in this life—He has sent clear messengers and signs—and that our choices in this world directly determine our state in the afterlife. We should be vigilant in heeding divine guidance while we still have the opportunity, for regret in the Hereafter will avail nothing.