إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِمَن كَانَ لَهُۥ قَلْبٌ أَوْ أَلْقَى ٱلسَّمْعَ وَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ 37
Translations
Indeed in that is a reminder for whoever has a heart or who listens while he is present [in mind].
Transliteration
Inna fee dhalika la-dhikra liman kana lahu qalbun aw alqa as-sama'a wa huwa shahid
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that the stories and signs mentioned in Surah Qaf serve as a reminder (dhikra) for those who possess a sound, attentive heart—either those with intellectual capacity to reflect, or those who listen with full presence and awareness. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the ayah highlights that benefiting from divine guidance requires two conditions: a responsive heart (qalb) and attentive listening (sama'), suggesting that mere exposure to the Quran is insufficient without genuine receptiveness and mindfulness.
Revelation Context
Surah Qaf is a Meccan surah revealed during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad's message. This particular ayah appears near the conclusion of the surah (verse 37 of 45) and responds to the disbelievers' rejection by asserting that the Quranic reminders are beneficial for those with sincere hearts and open ears. The context addresses the reality that not all listeners benefit equally from divine signs—receptiveness depends on the listener's spiritual state.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth; some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance.' (Sahih Bukhari 79:1). This hadith parallels the ayah's teaching about varying capacities to receive and benefit from guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that merely hearing the Quran is not enough; true benefit comes from cultivating a receptive heart and listening with conscious presence and intention. For modern readers, this is a reminder to examine the quality of our engagement with Islamic knowledge—whether we approach it with genuine desire to understand and transform, or merely passively consume it.