كَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُوا۟ سَاحِرٌ أَوْ مَجْنُونٌ 52
Translations
Similarly, there came not to those before them any messenger except that they said, "A magician or a madman."
Transliteration
Kathalika ma atta allatheena min qablihim min rasoolin illa qaloo sahirun aw majnoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the rejection faced by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not unprecedented—previous nations similarly rejected their messengers, falsely accusing them of being either magicians or madmen. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this pattern of denial throughout history demonstrates that disbelief stems from spiritual blindness and arrogance rather than lack of evidence, as each messenger came with clear signs and wisdom.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Ad-Dhariyat, which addresses the deniers of Mecca who mocked the Prophet and rejected his message. The broader context consoled the Prophet by reminding him that such accusations were typical tactics of those who rejected divine truth, thereby normalizing his experience and strengthening his resolve.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari records that the Prophet was called a liar and magician by his opponents in Mecca. Similarly, in various hadith collections, the Prophet is reported to have endured insults and false accusations, yet he remained patient, demonstrating the fulfillment of what this ayah describes.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that opposition to truth is a recurring phenomenon throughout human history, and that such rejection reflects the rejectors' spiritual condition rather than any weakness in the message. It encourages patience and steadfastness when facing ridicule for one's faith.
Related Ayahs
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ نُوحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
When their brother Noah said to them, "Will you not fear Allāh?
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِن قَبْلُ بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّا جَآءَكُم بِهِۦ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَن يَبْعَثَ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ رَسُولًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُّرْتَابٌ
And Joseph had already come to you before with clear proofs, but you remained in doubt of that which he brought to you, until when he died, you said, 'Never will Allāh send a messenger after him.' Thus does Allāh leave astray he who is a transgressor and skeptic."
وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًا كُبَّارًا
And they conspired an immense conspiracy
تِلْكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآئِهَا ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِمَا كَذَّبُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Those cities - We relate to you, [O Muḥammad], some of their news. And certainly did their messengers come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe in that which they had denied before. Thus does Allāh seal over the hearts of the disbelievers.