فَقَالَ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ يُؤْثَرُ 24
Translations
And said, "This is not but magic imitated [from others].
Transliteration
Faqala in hadha illa sihrun yu'tharu
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers of Mecca, upon hearing the Qur'an recited by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), dismissed it as 'nothing but magic that is transmitted' or 'magic that has been inherited.' According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah records the obstinate denial of the Meccan pagans who attributed the Qur'an's miraculous eloquence and rhetorical power to sorcery rather than acknowledging it as divine revelation. Their claim that it was 'inherited magic' (yu'tharu) suggests they accused the Prophet of learning magic from previous magicians, exemplifying their deliberate rejection of clear truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah Al-Muddaththir, a Meccan chapter that addresses the disbelievers' various false accusations against the Qur'an and the Prophet. It is part of a series of responses to the Meccan opposition, illustrating the different excuses and denials they employed to reject the divine message despite its clarity and miraculous nature.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever accuses me of lying regarding the Qur'an, let him prepare a seat in the Fire' (a principle reflected in various hadith collections regarding those who deny the Qur'an). Additionally, Surah Al-Mu'minun 23:110 addresses similar accusations of witchcraft made against the message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that those who reject truth often resort to baseless accusations and rationalizations rather than accepting clear guidance. It teaches us patience with those in denial and strengthens our conviction that the Qur'an's miraculous nature transcends human capability, serving as an eternal sign of Allah's truth.