نَاصِيَةٍ كَـٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍ 16
Translations
A lying, sinning forelock.
Transliteration
Nasiyatin kadhiba khati'ah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase refers to a 'lying, erring forelock,' describing the forelock of Abu Jahl who rejected the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and hindered him from prayer. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a metaphorical description of Abu Jahl's stubbornness and falsehood, with the forelock (nasiyah) symbolizing his pride and arrogance. The attributes 'lying' (kadhiba) and 'erring' (khati'ah) emphasize both his deliberate rejection of truth and his misguided nature.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the closing verses of Surah Al-'Alaq, which addresses the early opposition to the Prophet's message in Mecca. Specifically, verse 96:15-16 references Abu Jahl's attempt to prevent the Prophet from performing salah (prayer), making this a direct condemnation of his specific acts of obstruction and disbelief during the Meccan period.
Related Hadiths
The context relates to hadiths about Abu Jahl's opposition; Sahih Bukhari (4770) records that Abu Jahl tried to prevent the Prophet from prayer. Additionally, the concept of the 'nasiyah' (forelock) as representing authority and destiny appears in Surah Al-'Alaq 96:15-16 in connection with divine warning and human accountability.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a stern reminder that pride and deliberate rejection of divine truth lead to misguidance and spiritual ruin; believers should guard against arrogance and the impulse to obstruct others from righteousness, as such actions invite divine displeasure and ultimate loss.