Muhammad · Ayah 24

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَآ 24

Translations

Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’ān, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?

Transliteration

Afala yatadabbarun al-Qur'ana am ala qulub aqfaluha

Tafsir (Explanation)

This ayah poses a rhetorical question challenging the disbelievers: 'Do they not reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon their hearts?' According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Allah is condemning those who refuse to contemplate the Qur'an's signs and wisdom, suggesting that their hearts are sealed due to their deliberate rejection and arrogance. The 'locks' (aqfal) metaphorically represent the spiritual blindness and hardness of hearts that result from turning away from divine guidance.

Revelation Context

This ayah appears in Surah Muhammad (a Medinan chapter) during a period when the Prophet (peace be upon him) faced continued opposition from those who heard the Qur'an but refused to accept its message. The surah addresses the stubbornness of disbelievers who encounter clear signs yet persist in denial, making this ayah part of a broader theme of holding accountable those who deliberately ignore divine revelation.

Related Hadiths

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best among you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever listens to a verse from Allah's Book and reflects upon it has indeed engaged in the greatest remembrance' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).

Themes

Qur'anic reflection (taddabur)Spiritual blindness and sealed heartsAccountability for rejecting guidanceThe contrast between receptive and hardened hearts

Key Lesson

This ayah emphasizes that merely hearing the Qur'an is insufficient without sincere reflection and contemplation; Muslims are encouraged to engage deeply with the Qur'an's meanings rather than reciting it passively. It also serves as a warning that persistent rejection of truth hardens the heart, making future guidance increasingly difficult to perceive.

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Related Ayahs

47:35Muhammad

فَلَا تَهِنُوا۟ وَتَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلسَّلْمِ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَوْنَ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَكُمْ وَلَن يَتِرَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلَكُمْ

So do not weaken and call for peace while you are superior; and Allāh is with you and will never deprive you of [the reward of] your deeds.

47:7Muhammad

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تَنصُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ

O you who have believed, if you support Allāh, He will support you and plant firmly your feet.

47:21Muhammad

طَاعَةٌ وَقَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ ۚ فَإِذَا عَزَمَ ٱلْأَمْرُ فَلَوْ صَدَقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ

Obedience and good words. And when the matter [of fighting] was determined, if they had been true to Allāh, it would have been better for them.

47:4Muhammad

فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَضَرْبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا۟ ٱلْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّۢا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَآءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ ٱلْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَا۟ بَعْضَكُم بِبَعْضٍ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ

So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure [their] bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allāh had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allāh - never will He waste their deeds.