وَصَدَّهَا مَا كَانَت تَّعْبُدُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهَا كَانَتْ مِن قَوْمٍ كَـٰفِرِينَ 43
Translations
And that which she was worshipping other than Allāh had averted her [from submission to Him]. Indeed, she was from a disbelieving people."
Transliteration
Wa-saddaha ma kanat ta'budu min duni-Allah; innaha kanat min qawm kafirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, whose idolatrous worship prevented her from accepting Islam when the throne was brought before Solomon. The verse indicates that her previous polytheistic beliefs (worship of the sun and idols) hindered her from immediately embracing tawhid (monotheism). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that her ingrained disbelief and the customs of her people created a spiritual barrier, though she eventually accepted Islam after witnessing the miraculous throne.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the narrative of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (Ayat 27:34-44), a Meccan surah addressing the Meccan polytheists. The context illustrates how deeply rooted idol-worship can obstruct faith, serving as a lesson to the Quraysh about the dangers of clinging to ancestral practices over divine truth.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this ayah, Hadith Qudsi emphasizes that hearts are between Allah's fingers and He turns them as He wills (Muslim), relating to the theme of how Allah removes barriers to belief. Additionally, Surah Al-'Ankabut (29:69) complements this: 'Those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that even those deeply entrenched in falsehood can be guided to truth through divine signs and mercy, reminding us that prejudices and inherited beliefs can blind the heart, but Allah's guidance ultimately prevails for those who remain open to it.