Juz 7: Al-Māʾidah 82 to Al-Anʿām 110
Section 12 of 17 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Rejection of Allah's Signs by Disbelievers
In the opening passages of Surah Al-An'am, Allah (swt) addresses the fundamental issue of why disbelievers reject clear signs despite their manifest truth. This Makki surah establishes the foundations of faith by highlighting the irrationality of disbelief and providing powerful arguments for Divine Oneness.
The surah begins with a profound declaration of Allah's majesty:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ
“Praise belongs to Allah who created the heavens and the earth, and made darkness and light; yet those who disbelieve equate (others) with their Lord.”
This opening establishes a stark contrast between the magnificent truth of Allah's creation and the absurdity of associating partners with Him. The verse presents an axiomatic reality that any objective observer would recognize—the universe with its complex systems must have a single Creator. Yet, despite this self-evident truth, disbelievers persist in their rejection.
The surah continues by affirming Allah's absolute power:
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍ ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا ۖ وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُ ۖ ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ تَمْتَرُونَ
“He is the One who created you from clay, then destined a term. The fixed term lies with Him, yet you are in doubt.”
This verse highlights the human origin from clay (soil), emphasizing our humble beginning. Allah (swt) has determined each person's lifespan—an undeniable fact that demonstrates our vulnerability and dependence on Him. Despite this reality, many continue to doubt.
A recurring theme in these verses is the disbelievers' persistent rejection despite overwhelming evidence. Allah (swt) states:
وَمَا تَأْتِيهِم مِّنْ آيَةٍ مِّنْ آيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَّا كَانُوا عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ
“No sign from the signs of their Lord comes to them, but they turn away from it.”
This captures the psychological state of determined rejection—a pattern that repeats throughout history. When presented with divine revelations, the disbelievers respond with aversion rather than reflection.
Even more telling is their response to truth when it does reach them:
فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوا بِالْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِيهِمْ أَنبَاءُ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ
“So they have rejected the truth when it came to them. Now the reports of what they used to ridicule shall come to them.”
This verse exposes the ultimate consequence of rejection—the reality they mocked will eventually manifest as truth. Their denial is not based on insufficient evidence but on unwillingness to accept what contradicts their desires or traditions.
Allah (swt) then directs the believers to historical evidence:
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ مَّكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّكُمْ
“Have they not seen how many generations We have destroyed before them whom We had given such power on earth as We did not give to you?”
This powerful rhetorical question invites reflection on past civilizations that were stronger and more established than the Meccans, yet were destroyed when they persistently rejected divine guidance. The ruins of ancient peoples stand as silent witnesses to this truth, inviting the observant to learn from history rather than repeat it.
The disbelievers' demand for extraordinary miracles is addressed with the reality that even if such signs were given, their rejection would continue:
وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ كِتَابًا فِي قِرْطَاسٍ فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ لَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ هَـٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
“If We had sent down to you a book on paper, and they had even touched it with their hands, still the disbelievers would have said, 'This is nothing but evident magic.'”
The core issue, therefore, is not lack of evidence but an unwillingness to accept the truth due to pride, cultural attachments, or worldly interests. This profound psychological insight applies across time and cultures, making these verses as relevant today as when they were first revealed.