وَإِذَا قُرِئَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ لَا يَسْجُدُونَ ۩ 21
Translations
And when the Qur’ān is recited to them, they do not prostrate [to Allāh]?
Transliteration
Wa-idha quri'a 'alayhimu al-Qur'anu la yasjudun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who refuse to prostrate (perform sujud) when the Qur'an is recited to them, indicating their arrogance and rejection of divine guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this refers to the disbelievers of Mecca who stubbornly refused to submit to Allah's signs despite hearing the Qur'an recited. The refusal to prostrate symbolizes their complete rejection of faith and submission to Allah's will.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the context of Surah Al-Inshiqaq's description of those who disbelieve and their characteristics. The surah, revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period, addresses the obstinacy of the Quraysh and other disbelievers who witnessed the Qur'an being recited yet refused to acknowledge its truth or perform the acts of worship it commanded.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The closest that a slave comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so increase your supplications during prostration' (Sahih Muslim 482). Additionally, there are hadiths encouraging prostration upon reciting verses of sajdah (prostration), emphasizing the importance of this act of submission.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true faith requires not just intellectual acknowledgment but active submission and obedience to Allah's commands, particularly through acts of worship like prostration. It serves as a warning against allowing pride and arrogance to prevent us from submitting to divine truth when we encounter it.