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
قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِىَ ٱلْكِبَرُ وَٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ ٱللَّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ
He said, "My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?" He [the angel] said, "Such is Allāh; He does what He wills."
هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُۥ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ
At that, Zechariah called upon his Lord, saying, "My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication."
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
But if they turn away, then indeed - Allāh is Knowing of the corrupters.
وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ لَفَرِيقًا يَلْوُۥنَ أَلْسِنَتَهُم بِٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِتَحْسَبُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture. And they say, "This is from Allāh," but it is not from Allāh. And they speak untruth about Allāh while they know.