أَفَأَنتَ تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوْ تَهْدِى ٱلْعُمْىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ 40
Translations
Then will you make the deaf hear, [O Muḥammad], or guide the blind or he who is in clear error?
Transliteration
Afa-anta tusmiu as-summa aw tahdī al-ʿumya wa-man kāna fī ḍalālin mubīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), emphasizing the limits of human guidance: one cannot make the deaf hear or guide the blind, especially those in manifest error. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as addressing the impossibility of forcing belief upon those who willfully reject guidance—the deaf and blind here represent spiritual deafness and blindness to truth. The ayah affirms that while the Prophet's duty is to convey the message clearly, actual guidance (hidayah) comes from Allah alone.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Az-Zukhruf, which discusses the rejection of the Quran by the Meccan polytheists and their stubborn disbelief. The surah addresses the Prophet's frustration with those who reject his message despite clear signs. This particular ayah comes as a divine reassurance that the Prophet is not responsible for forcing belief, only for delivering the message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), which complements the theme of guidance. Additionally, the hadith 'There is no compulsion in religion' (Quran 2:256, referenced in Sahih Bukhari context) reflects the same principle that belief cannot be forced.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that while we are responsible for conveying truth with wisdom and compassion, ultimate guidance rests with Allah alone—this liberates us from frustration when others reject truth and encourages reliance on divine wisdom rather than coercion. This ayah teaches humility and patience in da'wah (Islamic outreach).