إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ مَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ فَلَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ 34
Translations
Indeed, those who disbelieved and averted [people] from the path of Allāh and then died while they were disbelievers - never will Allāh forgive them.
Transliteration
Inna alladhina kafaroo wa saddoo 'an sabili Allah thumma matoo wa hum kuffar falan yaghfira Allah lahum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that those who disbelieve and turn others away from Allah's path, and then die while in a state of disbelief, will never be forgiven by Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse establishes the finality of one's spiritual state at death—repentance and forgiveness become impossible after death, as the opportunity to believe has been eternally closed. This ayah underscores both the gravity of active rejection of faith and the importance of sincere belief before death.
Revelation Context
Surah Muhammad is a Medinan surah revealed during the period of intensified conflict between the Muslims and those who rejected the message. This particular ayah fits within the broader thematic context of the surah, which addresses the consequences of disbelief and turning away from Allah's guidance, particularly among those who actively oppose and obstruct the Islamic message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'When the soul of a believer departs, it is received by angels who bring it to the heavens' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim emphasizes that deeds are sealed by the final action before death: 'Verily, the deeds are considered by the last deed before death.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that faith and repentance must occur during one's lifetime, as death seals all opportunities for spiritual transformation and divine forgiveness. For believers, it emphasizes the urgency of sincere repentance and the dangers of persistent disbelief or leading others astray.