وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ 7
Translations
But there would not come to them a prophet except that they used to ridicule him.
Transliteration
Wa maa ya'teehim min nabiyyin illaa kaanoo bihi yastahzi'oon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that whenever a messenger came to the disbelievers, they responded with mockery and ridicule rather than acceptance of the message. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this reflects the consistent pattern of rejection faced by all messengers throughout history—the people of Quraysh and other nations habitually mocked Allah's prophets instead of heeding their call to monotheism. This rejection despite clear signs is presented as a characteristic weakness of those who turn away from divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Az-Zukhruf, which discusses how disbelievers are distracted by worldly ornaments and pleasures, leading them to reject the messengers. The broader thematic context emphasizes the historical pattern of rejection and mockery that prophets endured, serving to console Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding the ridicule he faced from the Meccan elite.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) faced severe mockery from the Quraysh, including when they called him 'the possessed one' and 'a magician.' Additionally, Surah Al-An'am (6:10) contains a parallel theme: 'And already were messengers mocked before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by that which they used to mock.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejection and ridicule from society are not signs of failure in conveying the message, but rather a predictable test that all messengers faced; it calls us to persevere with wisdom and compassion, trusting in Allah's plan rather than seeking validation from those who mock the truth.