إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ 8
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 (miraculous events) mentioned previously—particularly the parting of the sea for the Children of Israel and the drowning of Pharaoh's army—there is indeed a clear sign (ayah) of Allah's power and divine guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that despite these manifest proofs, most of the people (particularly the Quraysh and those who rejected the Prophet) did not believe, demonstrating the human tendency toward disbelief even in the face of unmistakable evidence. This reflects a recurring Quranic theme: signs alone do not guarantee faith, as belief ultimately requires a receptive heart.
Revelation Context
Surah Ash-Shu'ara is a Meccan surah addressing the polytheists of Mecca who rejected the Prophet Muhammad's message. This ayah follows the account of Moses and Pharaoh, drawing a parallel between the miraculous signs given to Moses that most Egyptians rejected, and the signs presented to the Meccans through the Quran and the Prophet. The surah uses these historical narratives to warn the contemporary audience about the consequences of disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The concept is reflected in Sahih Muslim (209) where the Prophet said: 'Guidance is not achieved by abundance of knowledge, but it is a light that Allah casts into the heart.' This illustrates that despite clear signs (ayat), faith requires divine guidance in the heart.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that external signs and miracles, while important, are insufficient for faith—the human heart must be receptive and open to guidance from Allah. Modern readers should reflect on their response to clear evidence of truth and examine whether their hearts are genuinely seeking divine guidance or merely following desires and prejudices.