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
وَٱللَّهُ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ دَارِ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And Allāh invites to the Home of Peace [i.e., Paradise] and guides whom He wills to a straight path.
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.
وَلَا يَحْزُنكَ قَوْلُهُمْ ۘ إِنَّ ٱلْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا ۚ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
And let not their speech grieve you. Indeed, honor [due to power] belongs to Allāh entirely. He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ ءَاتَيْتَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَأَهُۥ زِينَةً وَأَمْوَٰلًا فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا رَبَّنَا لِيُضِلُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِكَ ۖ رَبَّنَا ٱطْمِسْ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَٱشْدُدْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ
And Moses said, "Our Lord, indeed You have given Pharaoh and his establishment splendor and wealth in the worldly life, our Lord, that they may lead [men] astray from Your way. Our Lord, obliterate their wealth and harden their hearts so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment."