كَذَٰلِكَ نَسْلُكُهُۥ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ 12
Translations
Thus do We insert it [i.e., denial] into the hearts of the criminals.
Transliteration
Kadhalika naslukhuh fee quloobi al-mujrimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's way of making disbelief and rejection penetrate deep into the hearts of criminals (those who persistently reject truth). Ibn Kathir explains that just as Allah guides the hearts of believers toward faith, He allows the hearts of stubborn disbelievers to become sealed and hardened in their rejection, which is a consequence of their own choices and arrogance. Al-Tabari emphasizes that this 'entering into hearts' represents a spiritual consequence where Allah withdraws His guidance from those who deliberately turn away from it.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-Hijr, which addresses the rejection faced by Prophet Muhammad from the Quraysh. The broader context (verses 12-15) discusses how Allah allows disbelief to penetrate the hearts of those who reject His signs, serving as both a warning to the disbelievers and a consolation to the Prophet that their rejection is part of Allah's established pattern with previous nations.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described how sin darkens the heart, stating: 'Verily, when a servant commits a sin, a black spot appears on his heart.' This echoes the theme of hearts being affected by one's choices and deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that persistent rejection of truth and deliberate turning away from guidance leads to spiritual hardening of the heart, which is both a natural consequence and a divine consequence of one's choices. Modern readers should reflect on the importance of remaining receptive to truth and guarding against arrogance and stubbornness, as these qualities can lead to spiritual blindness.