إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱثْنَيْنِ فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَعَزَّزْنَا بِثَالِثٍ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّآ إِلَيْكُم مُّرْسَلُونَ 14
Translations
When We sent to them two but they denied them, so We strengthened [them] with a third, and they said, "Indeed, we are messengers to you."
Transliteration
Idh arsalnā ilayhimu ithnayn fakadhdhabūhumā fa'azzaznā bithālith faqālū innā ilaykum mursalūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah sent two messengers to the people of a city, who rejected them both. Allah then strengthened the message by sending a third messenger. According to classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, this refers to the story of the people of Antioch (Antākiyah) who rejected the first two apostles sent to them. The sending of the third messenger represented Allah's continued mercy in providing clear guidance despite their initial rejection, and the three messengers declared their divine mission with conviction.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ya-Sin (a Meccan surah) and introduces one of the Qur'an's historical narratives. It appears within the context of stories of past nations and their response to Allah's messengers, serving to console the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding the rejection he faced in Mecca. The broader surah emphasizes resurrection, divine signs, and the consequences of rejecting messengers.
Related Hadiths
While no single hadith directly references this specific incident, Surah Ya-Sin itself is mentioned in various hadiths regarding its virtue. Muslim reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Everything has a heart, and the heart of the Qur'an is Ya-Sin.' This emphasizes the surah's spiritual significance in conveying divine guidance and warnings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that persistent rejection of divine truth does not diminish Allah's mercy, as He continues to send guidance through multiple messengers. For believers today, it reinforces patience in da'wah (calling to Islam) and trust that Allah will provide the means and opportunity for truth to reach hearts, while the ultimate choice remains with people's free will.