إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ 96
Translations
Indeed, those upon whom the word [i.e., decree] of your Lord has come into effect will not believe,
Transliteration
Inna alladhina haqat alayhim kalimatu rabbika la yu'minun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those upon whom Allah's decree of disbelief has been established and written—they will not believe regardless of the signs presented to them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this refers to those whose hearts Allah has sealed due to their persistent rejection and arrogance; their disbelief is not due to lack of evidence but to divine will operating through their own choice and stubbornness. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this ayah affirms both divine decree and human responsibility, as these individuals chose rejection until Allah's judgment upon them became inevitable.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Yunus, which addresses the persistent rejection of the Meccan disbelievers despite witnessing the Prophet Muhammad's miracles and clear signs. The surah contextually discusses how some hearts become sealed to faith after repeated rejection, reflecting the hardened stance of Quraysh who witnessed the ayat (signs) yet refused to submit.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Allah has written the fate of all things fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth' (Sahih Muslim 2155). Additionally, 'When Allah intends good for a person, He opens his breast to Islam; but when He intends otherwise, He leaves his breast tight and constricted' (Sahih Bukhari 3209), illustrating the relationship between divine will and the heart's condition.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that while Allah's decree is absolute, it operates through natural causes—prolonged rejection hardens the heart until faith becomes impossible for those who consistently choose disbelief. For believers, it serves as a reminder to remain humble, receptive to guidance, and to continuously seek Allah's mercy lest our hearts become sealed.