وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ 21
Translations
And do not be like those who say, "We have heard," while they do not hear.
Transliteration
Wa lā takūnū ka-alladhīna qālū sami'nā wa-hum lā yasma'ūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns believers against superficial hearing without genuine understanding and acceptance of Allah's message, comparing such people to those who claim to listen but their hearts are sealed from comprehension. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that true listening (hearing with the heart) requires both auditory reception and intellectual acceptance, while Al-Qurtubi notes this refers to those who hear the Quran but reject its guidance due to arrogance and disbelief. The verse condemns hypocrisy and spiritual heedlessness, instructing believers to be mindful listeners who internalize divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan surah Al-Anfal, revealed after the Battle of Badr. It is part of a broader section addressing the characteristics of true believers in contrast to hypocrites and disbelievers. The context emphasizes the importance of sincere faith and obedience during the early Islamic community's struggles, warning against the attitude of those who outwardly profess faith while inwardly rejecting it.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth; some of which was fertile soil that absorbed water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And the rest of it was hard-packed land...) [Sahih Bukhari 79]. This hadith illustrates the variance in people's receptivity to divine guidance, paralleling the ayah's emphasis on genuine hearing versus superficial listening.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that merely hearing Islamic teachings is insufficient; believers must cultivate attentive hearts that truly understand and act upon Allah's message. In our information-saturated modern age, this verse reminds us to listen with intentionality and sincerity, allowing divine guidance to penetrate our hearts and transform our actions.