فَإِنَّكَ لَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَلَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ ٱلدُّعَآءَ إِذَا وَلَّوْا۟ مُدْبِرِينَ 52
Translations
So indeed, you will not make the dead hear, nor will you make the deaf hear the call when they turn their backs, retreating.
Transliteration
Fa-innaka lā tusmi'u al-mawta wa lā tusmi'u al-summa al-du'ā' idhā wallau mudbirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah conveys that the Prophet (peace be upon him) cannot make the dead hear, nor can he make the deaf hear the call when they turn away in rejection. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as addressing the futility of preaching to those who willfully reject guidance—comparing spiritual death and heedlessness to physical deafness. The ayah emphasizes that the Prophet's role is to convey the message, not to force faith, as guidance is ultimately a divine gift that requires receptivity from the listener.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the broader context of Surah Ar-Rum, which addresses the disbelievers of Mecca who rejected the Prophet's message despite clear signs. It serves as a consolation to the Prophet that his responsibility is limited to clear communication, not compelling belief. The surah's themes revolve around signs of Allah's power and the consequences of rejecting messengers.
Related Hadiths
The Quran itself frequently reiterates this concept: 'Indeed, you do not make the dead hear, nor do you make the deaf hear the call when they have turned back' (27:80). Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet said, 'The example of the one who recites the Quran and does not benefit from it is like that of a tree that bears no fruit.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that while we must sincerely convey truth to others, we cannot force acceptance—ultimate guidance is from Allah alone. This liberates us from the burden of converting hearts and encourages patience and wisdom in our da'wah (call to faith).
Related Ayahs
ظَهَرَ ٱلْفَسَادُ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He [i.e., Allāh] may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَهُمْ فِى رَوْضَةٍ يُحْبَرُونَ
And as for those who had believed and done righteous deeds, they will be in a garden [of Paradise], delighted.
وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلنَّاسَ ضُرٌّ دَعَوْا۟ رَبَّهُم مُّنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَذَاقَهُم مِّنْهُ رَحْمَةً إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ
And when adversity touches the people, they call upon their Lord, turning in repentance to Him. Then when He lets them taste mercy from Him, at once a party of them associate others with their Lord,
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَن تَقُومَ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ ۚ ثُمَّ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ دَعْوَةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ إِذَآ أَنتُمْ تَخْرُجُونَ
And of His signs is that the heaven and earth stand [i.e., remain] by His command. Then when He calls you with a [single] call from the earth, immediately you will come forth.