أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمْ أَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ لَعْنَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ 87
Translations
Those - their recompense will be that upon them is the curse of Allāh and the angels and the people, all together,
Transliteration
Ulā'ika jazā'uhum anna 'alayhim la'natu Allāhi wa-al-malā'ikati wa-al-nāsi ajma'īn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the punishment of those who reject faith and turn away from guidance after understanding it: they will be cursed by Allah, His angels, and all of mankind. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this curse (la'nah) represents divine rejection and expulsion from mercy, and is a comprehensive punishment involving condemnation from all levels of creation. The inclusion of the angels and all people emphasizes the universal nature of their disgrace and the severity of their fate.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of those who reject Allah's signs and turn back from faith despite clear knowledge. The broader passage (3:86-88) addresses the specific case of those who believe and then disbelieve, describing their irreversible punishment. This reflects the Medinan period's engagement with those in the Muslim community and surrounding populations who rejected Islamic teachings.
Related Hadiths
The concept of la'nah (curse) is referenced in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim regarding those who turn away from guidance. Hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi states that the Messenger ﷺ said cursing is a severe matter, reinforcing the gravity of this divine punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a stern warning about the consequences of knowingly rejecting divine guidance and reflects the importance of firm commitment to faith once understood. For believers, it underscores the gravity of apostasy and the need to protect one's deen (religion) with sincerity and steadfastness.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَيْهِ شَىْءٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
Indeed, from Allāh nothing is hidden in the earth nor in the heaven.
إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَآءَهُۥ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.
لِيَقْطَعَ طَرَفًا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَوْ يَكْبِتَهُمْ فَيَنقَلِبُوا۟ خَآئِبِينَ
That He might cut down a section of the disbelievers or suppress them so that they turn back disappointed.
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ لَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَـٰبٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِۦ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُۥ ۚ قَالَ ءَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُمْ إِصْرِى ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَقْرَرْنَا ۚ قَالَ فَٱشْهَدُوا۟ وَأَنَا۠ مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
And [recall, O People of the Scripture], when Allāh took the covenant of the prophets, [saying], "Whatever I give you of the Scripture and wisdom and then there comes to you a messenger confirming what is with you, you [must] believe in him and support him." [Allāh] said, "Have you acknowledged and taken upon that My commitment?" They said, "We have acknowledged it." He said, "Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses."