إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ 67
Translations
Indeed in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers.
Transliteration
Inna fee dhalika la-ayah wa ma kana aktharuhum mu'mineen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that in the signs and punishments described (the destruction of the people of Lot and Pharaoh's drowning) there is indeed a clear evidence of Allah's power and justice. However, despite these manifest proofs, most of the disbelievers in Mecca refused to believe, demonstrating the hardness of their hearts and their stubborn rejection of truth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that Allah presents undeniable miracles, yet human choice and divine will determine who accepts faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which recounts the stories of various prophets and how their peoples rejected them despite witnessing clear signs. Verse 67 specifically follows the narrative of Prophet Lot's people and Pharaoh's destruction (verses 160-191), reminding the Meccan disbelievers that history testifies to Allah's punishment of those who reject His messengers.
Related Hadiths
The principle reflected here relates to a hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet ﷺ said: 'The most wretched person is he whose hearing and sight are taken away in this life, for if Allah takes away these from him, he will not use them to gain knowledge or wisdom.' This illustrates how some people remain blind to signs despite their clarity.
Themes
Key Lesson
Clear signs of Allah's existence and power surround us constantly, yet belief ultimately depends on openness of heart and sincere seeking of truth—knowledge alone without receptiveness cannot guide the soul. We must examine our own hearts to ensure we do not become among those who witness miracles yet remain unmoved by them.