وَإِذَا جَآءَتْهُمْ ءَايَةٌ قَالُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ حَتَّىٰ نُؤْتَىٰ مِثْلَ مَآ أُوتِىَ رُسُلُ ٱللَّهِ ۘ ٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ حَيْثُ يَجْعَلُ رِسَالَتَهُۥ ۗ سَيُصِيبُ ٱلَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا۟ صَغَارٌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَعَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَمْكُرُونَ 124
Translations
And when a sign comes to them, they say, "Never will we believe until we are given like that which was given to the messengers of Allāh." Allāh is most knowing of where [i.e., with whom] He places His message. There will afflict those who committed crimes debasement before Allāh and severe punishment for what they used to conspire.
Transliteration
Wa idha jaa'at-hum ayah qalū lan nu'min hattā nu'tā mithla mā ūtiya rusul-illāh. Allāhu a'lamu haythu yaj'alu risālatahu. Sayuṣīb-illādhīna ajramū ṣighārun 'ind-illāh wa 'adhābun shadīd bimā kānū yamkurūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
When the disbelievers of Mecca were presented with clear signs (ayat) from the Qur'an, they arrogantly demanded proof equivalent to what the previous messengers received, attempting to set conditions for their belief. However, Allah alone possesses the wisdom to determine where His message is placed, and those who commit such crimes of pride and rejection will face humiliation and severe punishment for their plotting against the truth. This ayah illustrates the stubborn rejection of the Meccan pagans and serves as a warning that arbitrary conditions placed on faith reflect arrogance rather than genuine seeking of guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-An'am (revealed in Mecca) and addresses the persistent rejection of the Qur'an by the Meccan polytheists. The broader context concerns their various excuses and pretexts for disbelief—they demanded miracles similar to those granted to previous prophets, revealing their refusal to accept the Qur'an itself as the supreme miracle. The surah emphasizes that Allah's wisdom in choosing messengers and their miracles is beyond human judgment.
Related Hadiths
The principle reflected in this ayah relates to Hadith Qudsi: 'My mercy precedes My wrath' (Sahih Muslim), which connects to how Allah's wisdom in guiding people supersedes human expectations. Also relevant is the general teaching from Sahih Bukhari regarding those who demanded signs from the Prophet (ﷺ) and remained in disbelief despite witnessing miracles.
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith cannot be conditional upon arbitrary demands we impose; rather, it requires humble submission to the guidance Allah has provided. The ayah reminds us that rejection rooted in pride and stubbornness inevitably leads to spiritual loss and divine punishment, emphasizing the importance of sincere hearts open to truth.