وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ ۖ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ 7
Translations
And those who disbelieved say, "Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?" You are only a warner, and for every people is a guide.
Transliteration
Wa-yaqūlu alladhīna kafarū law-lā unzila 'alayhi āyatun min rabbih, innama anta mundhir, wa-li-kulli qawmin hād.
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers demand a miraculous sign be sent down to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), yet Allah reminds them that the Prophet's role is to be a warner, not a sign-giver, and that every community has been sent a guide. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Allah's wisdom determines the means of guidance; the demand for signs is a test of faith, and the Quran itself serves as the supreme miracle for those who reflect upon it.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader Medinan context addressing the persistent objections of the disbelievers and hypocrites who rejected the Prophet despite clear signs. It reflects the historical reality of Meccan and Medinan opposition, where the disbelievers continually demanded spectacular miracles as a condition for belief, while Allah's established practice (Sunnah) has always been to send warners and guides to every people.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports that the Prophet said, 'Every Prophet has been given signs by which men believe,' indicating that while miracles were given to previous prophets, the greatest miracle for this Ummah is the Quran itself. Additionally, Tirmidhi records traditions about the Prophet's role as a 'warner' (mundhir), emphasizing his duty to deliver the message rather than compel belief.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that demanding signs as conditions for faith reflects spiritual arrogance; true guidance comes through reflection upon the signs already provided (the Quran, creation, and the Prophet's example). This teaches us that faith requires intellectual honesty and willingness to accept guidance, not endless material proofs.
Related Ayahs
وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ ۖ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ
And already were [other] messengers ridiculed before you, and I extended the time of those who disbelieved; then I seized them, and how [terrible] was My penalty.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَـَٔابٍ
Those who have believed and done righteous deeds - a good state is theirs and a good return.
وَٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ
And those who are patient, seeking the face [i.e., acceptance] of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good - those will have the good consequence of [this] home -
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً ۚ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍ كِتَابٌ
And We have already sent messengers before you and assigned to them wives and descendants. And it was not for a messenger to come with a sign except by permission of Allāh. For every term is a decree.