قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَحَّرِينَ 185
Translations
They said, "You are only of those affected by magic.
Transliteration
Qalu inna anta min al-musahhareen
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers of Thamud accused Prophet Salih of being bewitched or possessed by magic, using this as a pretext to reject his message of monotheism. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this accusation was a common dismissive tactic of the polytheists—when they could not rationally refute the message, they resorted to ad hominem attacks, claiming the prophet was either mad, bewitched, or under demonic influence. This ayah illustrates how those committed to falsehood will resort to baseless accusations rather than engage with truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud in Surah Ash-Shu'ara (The Poets), a Meccan surah. The context presents the dialogue between Salih and his people as he called them to abandon idolatry and worship Allah alone. The accusation of being 'musahhar' (bewitched/enchanted) was their response when they found no logical grounds to dispute his signs.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of rejection and accusations against prophets: 'The Prophet said, "The most despised person to Allah is the most stubborn person in disbelief."' (Sahih Bukhari 3534). Also relevant: the hadith regarding the Meccan polytheists' accusations against Prophet Muhammad of being a magician or possessed (Sahih Muslim 2275).
Themes
Key Lesson
When people are spiritually hardened, they may resort to baseless accusations and dismissals rather than sincerely reflect upon divine truth; believers should remain steadfast in their message and not be discouraged by the slander and ridicule of those who reject guidance.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوا۟ تَقَاسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ لَنُبَيِّتَنَّهُۥ وَأَهْلَهُۥ ثُمَّ لَنَقُولَنَّ لِوَلِيِّهِۦ مَا شَهِدْنَا مَهْلِكَ أَهْلِهِۦ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ
They said, "Take a mutual oath by Allāh that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor, 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.'"
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَهِدَ إِلَيْنَآ أَلَّا نُؤْمِنَ لِرَسُولٍ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَنَا بِقُرْبَانٍ تَأْكُلُهُ ٱلنَّارُ ۗ قُلْ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِى بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَبِٱلَّذِى قُلْتُمْ فَلِمَ قَتَلْتُمُوهُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
[They are] those who said, "Indeed, Allāh has taken our promise not to believe any messenger until he brings us an offering which fire [from heaven] will consume." Say, "There have already come to you messengers before me with clear proofs and [even] that of which you speak. So why did you kill them, if you should be truthful?"
كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
The people of Noah denied the messengers
فَصَبَّ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّكَ سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ
So your Lord poured upon them a scourge of punishment.