وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تُؤْمِنَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَيَجْعَلُ ٱلرِّجْسَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ 100
Translations
And it is not for a soul [i.e., anyone] to believe except by permission of Allāh, and He will place defilement upon those who will not use reason.
Transliteration
Wa maa kaana li nafsin an tu'mina illa bi idhni Allahi wa yaj'alu ar-rijsa 'ala alladhina laa ya'qilun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that faith is not achieved by human will alone, but only by Allah's permission and guidance (tawfiq). Ibn Kathir explains that Allah grants hidayah (guidance) to those who sincerely seek it, while those who refuse to use their intellect and reject truth are sealed with spiritual filth (ar-rijsa) as a consequence of their own rejection. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this ayah balances divine will with human responsibility—Allah grants permission to those whose hearts are open to guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period of Surah Yunus, which addresses the reality of disbelief among the Quraysh despite clear signs. The context reflects the Prophet's struggle with those who refused faith despite evident proofs, teaching that ultimate guidance rests with Allah's will. The surah emphasizes that Allah's wisdom determines who receives guidance based on their receptiveness and use of reason.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Everyone is facilitated toward what he has been created for' (Sahih Bukhari 4949). Additionally, 'Whoever Allah wishes to guide, He expands his breast for Islam; and whoever He wishes to leave astray, He makes his breast tight and constricted' (Sahih Muslim 2644), which directly complements this ayah's teaching on divine will in faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that while we must strive earnestly in seeking knowledge and faith, ultimate guidance is from Allah alone—we should combine sincere effort with humility and supplication to Allah. For modern readers, it reminds us to use our God-given intellect to reflect on signs, while recognizing that hardening of the heart against truth is a consequence of persistent rejection and arrogance.