فَمَا لَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلتَّذْكِرَةِ مُعْرِضِينَ 49
Translations
Then what is [the matter] with them that they are, from the reminder, turning away.
Transliteration
Fama lahum 'ani al-thadhkirah mu'ridhin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah expresses Allah's disapproval of those who turn away from the Qur'an and divine reminders despite their clarity and guidance. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this rhetorical question conveys rebuke toward the disbelievers of Mecca who rejected the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), choosing heedlessness over heeding Allah's signs. The ayah underscores the inexplicability and irrationality of their rejection, as they have no valid excuse for abandoning divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Muddaththir, revealed in the early Meccan period. The surah addresses the persistence of Meccan polytheists in rejecting the Qur'an despite its eloquence and clear guidance. This particular ayah reflects the frustration of the Prophet and believers at the stubborn rejection of divine reminders by those who had no legitimate reason to turn away.
Related Hadiths
Hadith from Sahih Bukhari: 'The best among you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it,' emphasizing the importance of accepting and transmitting the reminder. Additionally, a hadith in Tirmidhi notes that the Prophet said those who turn away from the Qur'an will face punishment on the Day of Judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
Turning away from divine guidance is inexcusable when the message is clear and accessible; believers should examine their own hearts to ensure they are not becoming heedless of the Qur'an and its teachings in their daily lives.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا دُعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
And when they are called to [the words of] Allāh and His Messenger to judge between them, at once a party of them turns aside [in refusal].
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ يَسْتَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ لَوَّوْا۟ رُءُوسَهُمْ وَرَأَيْتَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ وَهُم مُّسْتَكْبِرُونَ
And when it is said to them, "Come, the Messenger of Allāh will ask forgiveness for you," they turn their heads aside and you see them evading while they are arrogant.
۞ وَلَوْ يُعَجِّلُ ٱللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ ٱلشَّرَّ ٱسْتِعْجَالَهُم بِٱلْخَيْرِ لَقُضِىَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَجَلُهُمْ ۖ فَنَذَرُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا فِى طُغْيَـٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
And if Allāh was to hasten for the people the evil [they invoke] as He hastens for them the good, their term would have been ended for them. But We leave the ones who do not expect the meeting with Us, in their transgression, wandering blindly.
وَقَالُوا۟ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌۢ ۚ بَل لَّعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَقَلِيلًا مَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And they said, "Our hearts are wrapped." But, [in fact], Allāh has cursed them for their disbelief, so little is it that they believe.