وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَتْهُمْ رِجْسًا إِلَىٰ رِجْسِهِمْ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ 125
Translations
But as for those in whose hearts is disease, it has [only] increased them in evil [in addition] to their evil. And they will have died while they are disbelievers.
Transliteration
Wa-ammā alladhīna fī qulūbihim maraḍun fa-zādathum rijsan ilā rijsihim wa-mātu wa-hum kāfirūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the Quran and divine signs increase the spiritual disease (doubt, hypocrisy, and disbelief) already present in the hearts of those who reject faith, rather than healing them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'maraḍ' (disease of the heart) refers to the spiritual sickness of hypocrisy and disbelief, and these individuals die in a state of kufr (disbelief) because they deliberately turn away from guidance. The ayah emphasizes that revelation acts as a test—purifying the believers while condemning the disbelievers further into their spiritual corruption.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9), which was revealed during the Medinan period and addresses the issue of hypocrites (munāfiqūn) who outwardly claimed belief while harboring disbelief in their hearts. The context specifically relates to the hypocrites' response to the Quranic verses and the Prophet's message—their rejection of truth compounds their spiritual sickness rather than curing it.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Quran is either for you or against you,' narrated in various forms in hadith collections. Additionally, Sahih Muslim contains narrations about the hypocrites whose hearts contained disease that prevented them from accepting faith, reflecting the concept described in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns us that knowledge and exposure to truth without sincere hearts and willingness to accept guidance only increases our spiritual corruption. Modern readers should reflect on whether they approach divine revelation with open, sincere hearts seeking guidance, or with hearts already hardened by doubt and denial, understanding that our response to truth has eternal consequences.