وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا۟ عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا 73
Translations
And those who, when reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind.
Transliteration
Wa alladhina idha dhukkiroo bi-ayati rabbihim lam yakhirru alayha summan wa ʿumyanan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the believers as those who, when reminded with the signs (ayat) of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind—meaning they listen attentively and comprehend with understanding rather than turning away in heedlessness. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this describes the characteristic of true believers who respond positively to divine reminders, contrasting them with those who reject the message despite hearing it. The phrase 'summan wa ʿumyanan' (deaf and blind) is metaphorical, referring to spiritual deafness and blindness—the refusal to accept and act upon divine guidance.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Furqan is a Meccan surah that comprehensively addresses the characteristics of true believers and the reprobate deniers during the early period of Islamic revelation. This ayah appears within a passage (25:63-77) detailing the attributes of the sincere servants of Allah (ʿibad al-Rahman), emphasizing their responsiveness to divine guidance as a fundamental mark of faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), reflecting the importance of engaging with divine signs. Additionally, 'Whoever hears the call to prayer and does not respond is like the one described as deaf and blind' (paraphrased from various hadith collections on those who ignore guidance).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith is demonstrated through active listening and understanding of divine messages rather than passive or dismissive reception. For modern believers, it is a reminder to cultivate spiritual attentiveness when encountering the Qur'an and Islamic teachings, ensuring our hearts and minds remain open to guidance rather than hardened by indifference.