فَلَمَّا جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرِحُوا۟ بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ 83
Translations
And when their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they [merely] rejoiced in what they had of knowledge, but they were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.
Transliteration
Falamma jaaathum rusuluhum bil-bayyinati farihoo bima indahum minal-ilmi wa haqqa bihim ma kanu bihi yastahzi'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
When the messengers came to the people with clear signs (proofs), they rejoiced in the knowledge they already possessed and rejected the truth, being arrogant in their worldly learning. Consequently, the punishment they used to mock and ridicule befell them—a manifestation of divine justice. Ibn Kathir explains that their pride in their own opinions and knowledge prevented them from accepting the divine guidance, and what they thought was wisdom became their downfall.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ghafir's thematic discussion of how nations rejected their messengers throughout history. It fits within the broader Meccan context addressing the Quraysh's rejection of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) despite clear evidence, drawing parallels to previous peoples like 'Ad, Thamud, and Pharaoh's people who similarly refused guidance out of arrogance and attachment to their inherited beliefs.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 3029) where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most hated person to Allah is the most stubborn arrogant person.' Additionally, the theme echoes the hadith about those who follow their desires over guidance (Sunan Ibn Majah 3951).
Themes
Key Lesson
Intellectual pride and attachment to inherited beliefs can blind us to truth and divine guidance; we must remain humble and open-hearted when receiving the message of Allah. The consequences of mocking and rejecting truth are severe, and no amount of worldly knowledge can protect us from the justice of God if we persist in arrogance and denial.