۞ وَلَوْ رَحِمْنَـٰهُمْ وَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِم مِّن ضُرٍّ لَّلَجُّوا۟ فِى طُغْيَـٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ 75
Translations
And even if We gave them mercy and removed what was upon them of affliction, they would persist in their transgression, wandering blindly.
Transliteration
Wa law rahimnahum wa kashafna ma bihim min darrin lallajju fi tughyanihim ya'mahun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that even if Allah were to show mercy to the disbelievers by removing their afflictions and hardships, they would still persist obstinately in their rebellion and transgression, wandering blindly in their misguidance. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain this demonstrates the hardness of the hearts of those who reject Allah's signs—their disbelief is rooted in willful arrogance rather than mere ignorance, such that relief from hardship would not lead them to gratitude or faith, but rather to increased defiance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Mu'minun, which discusses the characteristics of true believers contrasted with the stubbornness of disbelievers. The broader passage (23:70-80) emphasizes how the polytheists of Mecca rejected the Message despite clear signs, and this specific verse illustrates the spiritual reality that removing external hardships would not change their hearts because their obstinacy is internal and willful.
Related Hadiths
The principle relates to Surah Al-A'raf 7:179 and the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'When Allah wishes good for His servant, He gives him understanding of the religion,' indicating that guidance is a blessing from Allah independent of material comfort or hardship.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that material ease or relief from suffering is not a guaranteed path to faith—true belief requires a sincere heart willing to submit to Allah's guidance. For believers, it reminds us that gratitude during hardship and recognition of Allah's mercy during ease are the true tests of our faith, not circumstances alone.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِىَ صَبْرًا
He said, "Indeed, with me you will never be able to have patience.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ ۗ أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۗ وَلَدَارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
And We sent not before you [as messengers] except men to whom We revealed from among the people of cities. So have they not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? And the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allāh; then will you not reason?
وَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمْ قَالَ ٱئْتُونِى بِأَخٍ لَّكُم مِّنْ أَبِيكُمْ ۚ أَلَا تَرَوْنَ أَنِّىٓ أُوفِى ٱلْكَيْلَ وَأَنَا۠ خَيْرُ ٱلْمُنزِلِينَ
And when he had furnished them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father. Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators?
وَٱذْكُرْنَ مَا يُتْلَىٰ فِى بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْحِكْمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا
And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allāh and wisdom. Indeed, Allāh is ever Subtle and Aware.