بَلِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُكَذِّبُونَ 22
Translations
But those who have disbelieved deny,
Transliteration
Bal alladhīna kafarū yukaddhibūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that those who disbelieve are the ones who deny and reject the truth. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse emphasizes that disbelief (kufr) is fundamentally characterized by the act of denying and lying against the signs of Allah and His messengers. The use of 'bal' (نay, rather) serves as a refutation of any excuse or claim that might be made by the disbelievers, establishing that their defining characteristic is deliberate rejection of divine truth.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Inshiqaq is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of the Prophet's mission when the Quraysh actively denied and mocked the message. This ayah appears near the end of the surah and reinforces the theme of the disbelievers' stubborn rejection throughout the chapter, which begins with the cosmic imagery of the sky splitting apart on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Sahih Muslim's hadith wherein the Prophet (ﷺ) stated that the worst deeds are those of those who deny Allah's signs. Additionally, Surah Al-Inshiqaq's warnings connect thematically to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari about the Day of Judgment when the sky will be cleft asunder.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true disbelief is not mere ignorance but active denial and rejection of clear signs, encouraging Muslims to reflect on the importance of accepting divine guidance with humility. It also serves as a warning that willful denial of truth carries spiritual and eternal consequences.