إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَآ أَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلْهُدَىٰ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا بَيَّنَّـٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ۙ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَلْعَنُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَلْعَنُهُمُ ٱللَّـٰعِنُونَ 159
Translations
Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture - those are cursed by Allāh and cursed by those who curse,
Transliteration
Inna alladhina yaktumuna ma anzalna mina al-bayyinati wa-al-huda min ba'da ma bayyannahu li-al-nasi fi al-kitabi, ula'ika yalcunuhum Allah wa yalcunuhum al-la'inun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who conceal clear signs (bayyinат) and guidance that Allah has revealed and made plain to people in the Scripture. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this primarily as referring to the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) who concealed or distorted scriptural truths about the Prophet Muhammad and Islamic teachings, though the principle applies to any who knowingly hide divine guidance. Such people incur the curse of Allah and all creation, as they deprive others of essential religious knowledge and truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the opening section of Surah Al-Baqarah addressing the People of the Book and those who reject faith. It follows the description of the pious believers and precedes warnings about hypocrisy, establishing a contrast between those who accept divine guidance and those who deliberately conceal or reject it. The context reflects the early Medinan period when the Prophet encountered Jewish and Christian communities.
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever hides knowledge, Allah will bridle him with a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection.' This reinforces the severity of concealing divinely-given knowledge. Additionally, there are hadith traditions about scholars who hide knowledge being among those cursed by Allah and the angels.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the sacred responsibility to share and preserve Islamic knowledge honestly, without distortion or concealment. It serves as a warning that the deliberate suppression of truth carries severe spiritual consequences, motivating believers to uphold transparency and authenticity in matters of faith.