ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَـٰهُ أَسْفَلَ سَـٰفِلِينَ 5
Translations
Then We return him to the lowest of the low,
Transliteration
Thumma radadnahu asfala safileen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the degradation of those who reject faith and deny the signs of Allah, reducing them to the lowest of the low (asfal safileen). Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain this as the ultimate spiritual and moral degradation of disbelievers, contrasting sharply with the elevated state of believers mentioned in the previous verse. The phrase emphasizes both the humiliation in this life and the punishment in the afterlife for those who squander their human potential and turn away from guidance.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Tin opens with oaths by the Fig and the Olive, sacred lands of revelation, establishing the nobility of human creation and the covenant of faith. This ayah appears in the context of describing humanity's dual capacity—those who utilize their intellect and faith ascend to the highest rank, while those who reject truth descend to the lowest. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the early period when the Quraysh rejected the Prophet's message.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim narrating from Abu Hurairah: 'The best of you are those with the best character,' relates to the elevation mentioned before this verse. Additionally, various hadiths emphasize the consequence of rejecting divine guidance, such as those in Surah Al-Araf 7:179 about those who have hearts but understand not.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that human worth is not inherent but depends on our choices—whether we utilize our intellect and faith to ascend or abandon them to descend. It serves as a sobering reminder that rejecting truth has real consequences, motivating us to guard our hearts and minds against heedlessness.