كَذَٰلِكَ يُؤْفَكُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ 63
Translations
Thus were those [before you] deluded who were rejecting the signs of Allāh.
Transliteration
Kathalika yu'faku alladhina kanu bi-ayati Allahi yajhadun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that those who persistently reject and deny the signs of Allah are turned away from the truth in a manner similar to how previous deniers were turned away. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the word 'yu'fak' (are turned away/diverted) indicates that Allah causes those who deliberately reject His signs to be further removed from guidance as a consequence of their choice. This represents both a natural consequence of their rejection and a divine turning away as punishment for their willful denial.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ghafir, a Meccan surah that emphasizes Allah's mercy and forgiveness alongside His justice. The verse comes in a section addressing the Meccan disbelievers who rejected the Quranic signs despite their clarity. The surah contrasts those who believe and fear Allah with those who deny His ayat, establishing a pattern of divine justice throughout history.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Sahih Muslim 2644, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When Allah desires good for a servant, He grants him understanding of the religion. But when He does not desire good for him, He does not grant him understanding.' This hadith illustrates how turning away from truth can be both a consequence and a form of punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
Persistent denial of truth hardens the heart and distances one from guidance; believers should reflect on how rejecting clear signs distances us from Allah's mercy and should actively seek to recognize and accept His signs in creation and revelation.
Related Ayahs
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا وَنَسِىَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ ۚ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا ۖ وَإِن تَدْعُهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ فَلَن يَهْتَدُوٓا۟ إِذًا أَبَدًا
And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord but turns away from them and forgets what his hands have put forth? Indeed, We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if you invite them to guidance - they will never be guided, then - ever.
قَالَ لِلْمَلَإِ حَوْلَهُۥٓ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَسَـٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician.
قَدْ كَانَتْ ءَايَـٰتِى تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ تَنكِصُونَ
My verses had already been recited to you, but you were turning back on your heels.
وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ كِتَـٰبًا فِى قِرْطَاسٍ فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ لَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
And even if We had sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], a written scripture on a page and they touched it with their hands, the disbelievers would say, "This is not but obvious magic."