وَأُتْبِعُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِۦ لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ بِئْسَ ٱلرِّفْدُ ٱلْمَرْفُودُ 99
Translations
And they were followed in this [world] with a curse and on the Day of Resurrection. And wretched is the gift which is given.
Transliteration
Wa-utbi'ū fī hādhihī la'natan wa-yawma al-qiyāmah. Bi'sa al-rifdu al-marfūd.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how those who rejected faith are followed by curses in this life and on the Day of Judgment, emphasizing the severe punishment awaiting disbelievers. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'utbi'ū (they are followed) refers to how divine punishment pursues them continuously, and 'al-rifdu al-marfūd' (an evil provision given) signifies the miserable reward they receive for their disbelief and stubbornness. The ayah underscores the certainty of divine justice and the consequences of rejecting Allah's guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Hud's discussion of Pharaoh and his people, illustrating the fate of those who persistently reject divine messages despite clear signs. It follows the narrative of how Pharaoh led his people astray, emphasizing that arrogance and denial of truth result in both worldly shame and eternal punishment.
Related Hadiths
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me' (Sahih Bukhari 5063), reflecting the theme that rejection of guidance brings separation from Allah's mercy. Also relevant is: 'The curse of Allah is upon the oppressors' (Tirmidhi 2029), connecting rejection of truth with divine displeasure.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that rejecting divine guidance does not go unpunished—both in this world through spiritual emptiness and social consequences, and in the Hereafter through eternal torment. It encourages believers to heed Allah's signs and warnings, recognizing that true provision and success come only through obedience and faith.
Related Ayahs
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ ۖ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِعَشْرِ سُوَرٍ مِّثْلِهِۦ مُفْتَرَيَـٰتٍ وَٱدْعُوا۟ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Or do they say, "He invented it"? Say, "Then bring ten sūrahs like it that have been invented and call upon [for assistance] whomever you can besides Allāh, if you should be truthful."
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ بِٱلْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًا ۖ قَالَ سَلَـٰمٌ ۖ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَآءَ بِعِجْلٍ حَنِيذٍ
And certainly did Our messengers [i.e., angels] come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf.
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰشُعَيْبُ مَا نَفْقَهُ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا تَقُولُ وَإِنَّا لَنَرَىٰكَ فِينَا ضَعِيفًا ۖ وَلَوْلَا رَهْطُكَ لَرَجَمْنَـٰكَ ۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْنَا بِعَزِيزٍ
They said, "O Shuʿayb, we do not understand much of what you say, and indeed, we consider you among us as weak. And if not for your family, we would have stoned you [to death]; and you are not to us one respected."
فَإِلَّمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ بِعِلْمِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَن لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
And if they do not respond to you - then know that it [i.e., the Qur’ān] was revealed with the knowledge of Allāh and that there is no deity except Him. Then, would you [not] be Muslims?