ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ رُسُلًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِمْ فَجَآءُوهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِمَا كَذَّبُوا۟ بِهِۦ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَطْبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُعْتَدِينَ 74
Translations
Then We sent after him messengers to their peoples, and they came to them with clear proofs. But they were not to believe in that which they had denied before. Thus We seal over the hearts of the transgressors.
Transliteration
Thumma ba'athna min ba'dihi rusulun ila qawmihim faja'uh um bil-bayyinati fama kanu liyuminuu bima kadhdhbu bihi min qablu. Kathalika natba'u ala qululubi al-mu'tadin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah sent messengers to successive peoples with clear proofs and signs, yet they refused to believe in what they had previously rejected. The verse establishes a divine pattern (sunnah) whereby those whose hearts are sealed due to their transgression and obstinacy are prevented from believing, as their rejection of truth becomes a barrier to guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that the 'seal upon the hearts' (tab') is a consequence of their own persistent rejection and arrogance, not an arbitrary divine action.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Yunus (a Meccan chapter), which recounts the stories of various prophets and their peoples' rejection. The immediate context discusses Noah and his people's disbelief, followed by this general principle applicable to all nations. This reflects the pattern of Meccan revelation, which frequently reminded the Prophet Muhammad and the believers of historical precedents of rejection.
Related Hadiths
The principle relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet said: 'When Allah intends good for a person, He grants him understanding of the religion.' Conversely, those who persistently reject guidance earn the sealing of their hearts, as mentioned in Sahih Bukhari regarding the consequences of persistent rejection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that belief is not merely intellectual assent but requires openness of heart and sincerity; persistent rejection and arrogance create spiritual barriers that distance one from guidance. Muslims should examine their hearts for signs of stubborn rejection and should embrace truth whenever it comes, lest they fall into the same condition as those nations who had their hearts sealed.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا كَانَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانُ أَن يُفْتَرَىٰ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And it was not [possible] for this Qur’ān to be produced by other than Allāh, but [it is] a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of the [former] Scripture, about which there is no doubt, from the Lord of the worlds.
وَإِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحْمَةً مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُمْ إِذَا لَهُم مَّكْرٌ فِىٓ ءَايَاتِنَا ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَسْرَعُ مَكْرًا ۚ إِنَّ رُسُلَنَا يَكْتُبُونَ مَا تَمْكُرُونَ
And when We give the people a taste of mercy after adversity has touched them, at once they conspire against Our verses. Say, "Allāh is swifter in strategy." Indeed, Our messengers [i.e., angels] record that which you conspire.
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ ۚ أَفَأَنتَ تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ وَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ
And among them are those who listen to you. But can you cause the deaf to hear [i.e., benefit from this hearing], although they will not use reason?
وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَـَٔامَنَ مَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا ۚ أَفَأَنتَ تُكْرِهُ ٱلنَّاسَ حَتَّىٰ يَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ
And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed - all of them entirely. Then, [O Muḥammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers?