وَٱلَّذِينَ سَعَوْ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا مُعَـٰجِزِينَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مِّن رِّجْزٍ أَلِيمٌ 5
Translations
But those who strive against Our verses [seeking] to cause failure - for them will be a painful punishment of foul nature.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina sa'aw fee ayatina mu'ajizin, ula'ika lahum 'adhab min rijzin alim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those who strive against the signs of Allah with the intention of rendering them ineffective or disproving them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as directed at those who actively work to obstruct belief and reject Allah's clear proofs with arrogance and denial. The punishment described is severe torment from degradation and humiliation in both this world and the Hereafter.
Revelation Context
Surah Saba is a Meccan surah addressing the polytheists of Mecca who actively opposed the Message and the Qur'anic signs. This ayah specifically condemns those who go beyond mere disbelief to actively strive against Allah's signs, fitting within the broader Meccan theme of warning against arrogance and rejection of divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against those who turn away from guidance after it has been made clear to them. Additionally, hadiths emphasizing the severity of opposing Allah's signs and mocking the believers are thematically connected.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that passive disbelief is compounded in gravity when one actively works to discredit and oppose the clear signs of Allah; believers should be steadfast in their conviction and not be swayed by those who mock or actively resist the Message, knowing that Allah's justice ensures appropriate consequences for such arrogance.