أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ كَمَن زُيِّنَ لَهُۥ سُوٓءُ عَمَلِهِۦ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَهُم 14
Translations
So is he who is on clear evidence from his Lord like him to whom the evil of his work has been made attractive and they follow their [own] desires?
Transliteration
Afaman kana alaa bayyinatin min rabbihi kaman zuyyina lahu suoo amalih wa attabaAAoo ahwaaahum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a rhetorical comparison between two types of people: those who possess clear evidence and guidance from their Lord versus those whose evil deeds have been made attractive to them and who follow their desires. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the first group represents believers guided by the Quran and Sunnah, while the second represents those whose hearts have been sealed due to their rejection of truth, making sin appear beautiful to them. The ayah emphasizes that these two groups are not equal—one possesses divine clarity while the other is lost in self-deception.
Revelation Context
Surah Muhammad is a Medinan surah that addresses the hypocrites and those who turned away from Islam. This specific ayah fits within the broader theme of distinguishing between the believers who hold firm to divine guidance and those who remain in darkness despite the evidence presented to them. The context reflects the early Islamic community's struggle against those who rejected the message despite its clarity.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 3334: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'When Allah intends good for a person, He gives him understanding of the religion.' This relates to the concept of bayyinah (clear evidence and understanding). Also relevant is Sunan Ibn Majah 4249 regarding how desires (ahwaa) lead people astray from the right path.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that mere knowledge of truth is insufficient without sincere adherence to it; those who follow their desires despite clear guidance are equally culpable as those without knowledge. It serves as a warning that comfort in sin comes from a hardened heart, and we must constantly seek Allah's help to maintain clarity of vision and resist the allure of our base desires.