pagans
This article provides unified access to automatically tagged Quran and authentic hadith records concerning pagans.
A source trail for pagans
English corpus keyword. Records are generated by whole-word and phrase matching across the multilingual source corpora; verse IDs are not selected by hand.
- Quran records
- 60
- Authentic hadiths
- 2
- Connected people
- 1
Related records in the Quran
Al-Baqara 2:113
وَقَالَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ لَيْسَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَهُمْ يَتْلُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ۚ فَٱللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
The Jews say, “The Christians have nothing to stand on” and the Christians say, “The Jews have nothing to stand on[46],” although they both recite the Scripture. And those [pagans] who have no knowledge say something similar. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
[46] This incident is documented when the Christians of Najrān came to the Messenger of Allah, the rabbis met them and both parties disputed.Al-Baqara 2:116
وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًا ۗ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۖ بَل لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ كُلٌّ لَّهُۥ قَـٰنِتُونَ
They say, “Allah has taken a son[49]”. Glory be to Him! Rather, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and earth – all are devoutly obedient to Him.
[49] The Jews claimed that Ezra was the son of God, the Christians claimed that Jesus was the son of God, and the Arab pagans claimed that the angels were God’s daughters.Al-Baqara 2:118
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لَوْلَا يُكَلِّمُنَا ٱللَّهُ أَوْ تَأْتِينَآ ءَايَةٌ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ۘ تَشَـٰبَهَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
Those who have no knowledge[50] say, “If only Allah would speak to us or a sign be given to us.” Those who came before them said similar words. Their hearts are all alike. We have made the signs clear to people who have sure faith.
[50] These are from Arab pagans and from the people of the Book, elsewhere called ‘the illiterates’.Aal-i-Imraan 3:20
فَإِنْ حَآجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِىَ لِلَّهِ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِ ۗ وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْأُمِّيِّـۧنَ ءَأَسْلَمْتُمْ ۚ فَإِنْ أَسْلَمُوا۟ فَقَدِ ٱهْتَدَوا۟ ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ
Then if they argue with you, say, “I have submitted myself to Allah, and so have those who follow me.” And say to those who were given the Scripture and to the illiterate[10], “Have you submitted yourselves?” If they do, then they are rightly guided, but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the message. And Allah is All-Seeing of His slaves.
[10] Those Arabs who had no scripture (i.e., the pagans).Al-An'aam 6:89
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحُكْمَ وَٱلنُّبُوَّةَ ۚ فَإِن يَكْفُرْ بِهَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ فَقَدْ وَكَّلْنَا بِهَا قَوْمًا لَّيْسُوا۟ بِهَا بِكَـٰفِرِينَ
They are those whom We gave the Scripture, wisdom and prophethood. But if these [pagans] disbelieve in it, then We have entrusted it to a people who will not disbelieve in it.
Al-An'aam 6:137
وَكَذَٰلِكَ زَيَّنَ لِكَثِيرٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ قَتْلَ أَوْلَـٰدِهِمْ شُرَكَآؤُهُمْ لِيُرْدُوهُمْ وَلِيَلْبِسُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ دِينَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا فَعَلُوهُ ۖ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا يَفْتَرُونَ
Similarly, the evil associates of the pagans have made the killing of their children[45] appealing to them, in order to lead them to destruction and confuse them in their faith. If Allah had willed, they would not have done that. So leave them to their fabrications.
[45] Out of fear of poverty.Al-An'aam 6:156
أَن تَقُولُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ عَلَىٰ طَآئِفَتَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِنَا وَإِن كُنَّا عَن دِرَاسَتِهِمْ لَغَـٰفِلِينَ
You [pagans] may no longer say, “Scriptures were only sent down to two groups before us, and we were unaware of their teachings.”
Yunus 10:59
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُم مِّن رِّزْقٍ فَجَعَلْتُم مِّنْهُ حَرَامًا وَحَلَـٰلًا قُلْ ءَآللَّهُ أَذِنَ لَكُمْ ۖ أَمْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَفْتَرُونَ
Say [to the pagans], “What do you think about the provision that Allah has sent down to you, of which you made some unlawful and some lawful[48].” Say, “Has Allah given you permission or are you fabricating lies against Allah?”
[48] See 6:138-139.Yunus 10:68
قَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًا ۗ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۖ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ۖ لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنْ عِندَكُم مِّن سُلْطَـٰنٍۭ بِهَـٰذَآ ۚ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
They say, “Allah has taken a son.” Glory be to Him! He is the Self-Sufficient. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. You have no proof for this. Do you[52] say about Allah something that you do not know?
[52] The Jews, Christians and Arab pagans.An-Nahl 16:57
وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ ٱلْبَنَـٰتِ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۙ وَلَهُم مَّا يَشْتَهُونَ
To Allah they ascribe daughters[33] – glory be to Him – but for themselves they choose what they desire [i.e., sons].
[33] The pagans falsely claimed that the angels were Allah’s daughters.An-Nahl 16:103
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُۥ بَشَرٌ ۗ لِّسَانُ ٱلَّذِى يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْجَمِىٌّ وَهَـٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِىٌّ مُّبِينٌ
We surely know that they say, “It is only a human being who teaches him[67].” But the language they refer to is foreign, whereas this is eloquent Arabic language.
[67] The pagans of Makkah falsely claimed that a non-Arab teaches Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).Al-Israa 17:59
وَمَا مَنَعَنَآ أَن نُّرْسِلَ بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ إِلَّآ أَن كَذَّبَ بِهَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا ثَمُودَ ٱلنَّاقَةَ مُبْصِرَةً فَظَلَمُوا۟ بِهَا ۚ وَمَا نُرْسِلُ بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ إِلَّا تَخْوِيفًا
Nothing prevents Us from sending signs except that the earlier people denied them[53]. We gave Thamūd the she-camel as a clear sign, but they wrongfully rejected her[54]. We do not send signs except as a warning.
[53] So that the pagans of Makkah do do not face the consequences of the earlier nations. [54] i.e., they committed an injustice by hamstringing the she-camel.Al-Israa 17:105
وَبِٱلْحَقِّ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ وَبِٱلْحَقِّ نَزَلَ ۗ وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
With the truth We have sent down this [Qur’an] and with the truth it has descended[84], and We have not sent you [O Prophet] except as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner.
[84] It is repeated twice in the face of the ardent denial of the pagans of Makkah and their demand to provide them with miracles, asserting here that the Qur’an is a revelation from Allah: it contains truthful news and just rulings, as it is sent down by Gabriel (عليه السلام), the strong and trustworthy, to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), safeguarded against the devils, free from alteration, additions or omission, throughout all times.Al-Israa 17:110
قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنَ ۖ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوا۟ فَلَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَٱبْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا
Say, “Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Compassionate[87] – whichever name you call, to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names.” Do not be too loud in your prayer, nor too quiet, but seek a way in between[88].
[87] The Makkans heard the Prophet (ﷺ) praying to Allah, once as Allah and on another occasion as Al-Rahmān, and claimed that he was praying to two different gods. [Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā, Ibn Taymiyyah, 14:15] Both are two Names for Allah, the One and Only God. [88] Abdullāh ibn Abbās (رضي الله عنهما) reported the reason behind the revelation of this verse: “It came down when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was lying low in Makkah. When he used to lead his Companions in Prayer and raise his voice and the pagans heard him, they would curse the Qur’an and He Who sent it down. So Allah said to His Messenger: “Do not raise your voice is Prayer upon which the pagans would hear you, yet not too quiet that your Companions may not hear you. Make them hear the Qur’an but do not raise your voice to that extent; seeking a middle way between them.” [Al-Bukhārī: 4722; Muslim: 446].Al-Kahf 18:4
وَيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًا
and to warn those who say, “Allah has begotten a son[3].”
[3] Such as the Jews and Christians, and the Arab pagans who claimed that angels are Allah’s daughters.Al-Kahf 18:83
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَن ذِى ٱلْقَرْنَيْنِ ۖ قُلْ سَأَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْهُ ذِكْرًا
They ask you about Dhul-Qarnayn[40]. Say, “I will tell you something about him.”
[40] The Two-Horned Sovereign, about whom the Quraysh pagans asked the Prophet (ﷺ), along with that of the Companions of the Cave, testing his prophethood. He was named thus because he reached the rising point and the setting point of the sun; or two generations (qarns) of people passed away during his reign; or he had two long locks of hair; or his crown had two horns.Al-Anbiyaa 21:24
أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةً ۖ قُلْ هَاتُوا۟ بُرْهَـٰنَكُمْ ۖ هَـٰذَا ذِكْرُ مَن مَّعِىَ وَذِكْرُ مَن قَبْلِى ۗ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٱلْحَقَّ ۖ فَهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
Or have they taken other gods besides Him? Say, “Bring your proof. Here is the Book of those who are with me, and the Book of those who came before me[12].” Yet most of them do not know the truth, so they turn away.
[12] The Prophet (ﷺ) is addressed to challenge the pagans to produce their proof for the existence of other gods; whereas, the Qur’an, the Torah, and the Gospel are in agreement that there is no god but Allah alone.Al-Anbiyaa 21:26
وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَلَدًا ۗ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۚ بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُّكْرَمُونَ
They say, “The Most Compassionate has begotten offspring!”[13] Glory be to Him! In fact, those [angels] are His honored slaves.
[13] The pagans claimed that angels are the daughters of Allah.Al-Muminoon 23:93
قُل رَّبِّ إِمَّا تُرِيَنِّى مَا يُوعَدُونَ
Say, “My Lord, if You show me what they[41] are warned of,
[41] i.e., the pagans of Makkah.Al-Qasas 28:44
وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ ٱلْغَرْبِىِّ إِذْ قَضَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَى ٱلْأَمْرَ وَمَا كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
You were not [O Prophet] on the western side [of the mountain] when We gave Moses Our commandment, nor did you witness that event[18].
[18] The pagans of Makkah are recurrently reminded in the Quran that the Prophet (ﷺ) did not witness any of these events that happened centuries before his birth. See 12:102, 3:44, 11:49. So the only logical way of knowing about these stories is the divine revelation.Al-Qasas 28:48
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِنْ عِندِنَا قَالُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُوتِىَ مِثْلَ مَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰٓ ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ قَالُوا۟ سِحْرَانِ تَظَـٰهَرَا وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِكُلٍّ كَـٰفِرُونَ
But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, “If only he was given the like of what was given to Moses before[21].” Did they not reject what was given to Moses before? They say, “Both [revelations] are works of magic, supporting each other”, adding, “We truly reject both of them[22].”
[21] The pagans of Makkah demanded that the Qur’an should have been revealed all at once like the Torah, and the Prophet (ﷺ) should have brought us tangible miracles like Moses’ staff, illuminating hand, etc. [22] It refers to the pagans of Makkah concerning the Qur’an and the Torah.Al-Qasas 28:51
وَلَقَدْ وَصَّلْنَا لَهُمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
And We have constantly conveyed the Word [of admonition] to them[23], so that they may take heed.
[23] i.e., to the pagans of Makkah and the Jews from among the Children of Israel about the consequences of the doomed nations.Al-Qasas 28:58
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍۭ بَطِرَتْ مَعِيشَتَهَا ۖ فَتِلْكَ مَسَـٰكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَن مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ۖ وَكُنَّا نَحْنُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ
How many a town We have destroyed that were arrogant due to their affluence! Those are their dwellings which were never inhabited after them except briefly[29]. It is We Who were the Inheritors.
[29] By travelers of pagans of Makkah seeking temporary shelter.Al-Ankaboot 29:47
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۖ وَمِنْ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَّا ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
Thus We have sent down to you the Book. Those to whom We gave the Scripture believe in it[18], and from these [pagans] there are some who believe in it, and none rejects Our verses except the disbelievers.
[18] Such as Abdullah ibn Salām, for they find the description of the Qur’an in their scriptures.Al-Ahzaab 33:9
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَآءَتْكُمْ جُنُودٌ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا وَجُنُودًا لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرًا
O you who believe, remember Allah’s favor upon you when [enemy] forces came against you[7], but We sent against them a violent wind and forces that you could not see[8]. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.
[7] This is referring to what is known as the Battle of the Trench or the Confederates which occurred in 5 A.H./627 C.E., where the pagans of Makkah along with some Arab and Jewish tribes (totaling around 10,000 soldiers) besieged Madinah, and the Prophet (ﷺ) positioned around 3000 soldiers to defend Madinah. The Prophet (ﷺ) had anticipated the offense and, upon advice from one of his companions, Salmān from Persia, dug a trench around the city to protect it from the invaders. After several attempts to cross the trench, the Allied forces lost morale and were forced to end the siege due to severe weather conditions. By this Allah saved Muslims from the machination of the non-Muslim allied forces to destroy the newly-born Islamic community in Madinah. [8] i.e., the angles.As-Saaffaat 37:149
فَٱسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَلِرَبِّكَ ٱلْبَنَاتُ وَلَهُمُ ٱلْبَنُونَ
So ask them, “Does your Lord have daughters while they have sons?”[35]
[35] The pagans of Makkah claimed that angels were Allah’s daughters, while preferring sons for themselves.As-Saaffaat 37:158
وَجَعَلُوا۟ بَيْنَهُۥ وَبَيْنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ نَسَبًا ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمَتِ ٱلْجِنَّةُ إِنَّهُمْ لَمُحْضَرُونَ
They claim that there is a kinship between Him and the jinn[37], when the jinn themselves know that such people will surely be brought [for punishment].
[37] It was claimed by some Arab pagans that angels are daughters of Allah through female jinn.As-Saaffaat 37:167
وَإِن كَانُوا۟ لَيَقُولُونَ
And [the pagans] used to say[42],
[42] Before the revelation of the Qur’an.Saad 38:11
جُندٌ مَّا هُنَالِكَ مَهْزُومٌ مِّنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ
This is only a small army[8] among several armies[9] that will soon be defeated.
[8] It alludes to the defeat of the pagans of Makkah at Badr. [9] i.e., the defeated armies of the past who rejected their messengers.Az-Zumar 39:51
فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ سَيُصِيبُهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ
Therefore the evil consequences of their deeds overtook them, and the wrongdoers among these [pagans] will be overtaken by the evil consequences of their deeds, and they will have no escape[14].
[14] From Allah’s punishment.Fussilat 41:40
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا لَا يَخْفَوْنَ عَلَيْنَآ ۗ أَفَمَن يُلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلنَّارِ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّن يَأْتِىٓ ءَامِنًا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ مَا شِئْتُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
Those who seek to cause deviation in Our verses[16] are not hidden from Us. Is one who will be cast into the Fire better or one who will come safely on the Day of Resurrection? Do whatever you wish, for He is All-Seeing of what you do.
[16] By denying them, distorting their meanings, preferring deviant interpretation, or making noise while they are recited as the pagans of Makkah used to do.Az-Zukhruf 43:8
فَأَهْلَكْنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
So We destroyed them, although they were greater in might than these [Pagans][4], and the stories of the earlier nations have already been related[5].
[4] Of the Quraysh. [5] Such as the people of Noah, Lot, Shu’ayb and other nations who were destroyed.Az-Zukhruf 43:57
وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوْمُكَ مِنْهُ يَصِدُّونَ
When the example of the son of Mary was given, your people laughed and jeered[22],
[22] When 21:98 was revealed, warning the pagans that all what they worship besides Allah will be in Hell, a poet who was a staunch enemy of Islam, Abdullah ibn az-Ziba‘ra, along with other pagans jeered and laughed arguing that Jesus will be in Hell as well! The Prophet (ﷺ) replied that the verse was talking exclusively about idols, adding that Jesus himself did not ask to be worshiped. Verse 21:101 was later revealed in support of the Prophet declaring that they are exempted.Az-Zukhruf 43:79
أَمْ أَبْرَمُوٓا۟ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّا مُبْرِمُونَ
Have they devised a plan[29]? We too have devised a plan.
[29] Against the Prophet (ﷺ); it is referring to the pagans of Makkah.Ad-Dukhaan 44:10
فَٱرْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُّبِينٍ
So wait for a day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke[4],
[4] Referring to the drought that affected the pagans of Makkah severely, so they came to the Prophet (ﷺ), begging him to supplicate Allah to remove the affliction from them.Ad-Dukhaan 44:37
أَهُمْ خَيْرٌ أَمْ قَوْمُ تُبَّعٍ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ
Are they better [in power] or the people of Tubba‘[9] and those who were before them? We destroyed them, for they were truly wicked[10].
[9] i.e., the people of Sheba. [10] Tubba’ al-Himyari was a righteous Yemeni king of ancient times whose people persisted in disbelief and were destroyed; nonetheless, they were more powerful and superior to the pagans of Makkah.Ad-Dukhaan 44:49
ذُقْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْكَرِيمُ
“Taste this. You are surely the mighty and honorable![12]
[12] Abu Jahl, the chief of pagans in Makkah, replied to the warning of punishment in the Hereafter by saying, “How can I be punished when I am the mighty and honorable one!” So Allah killed him in the Battle of Badr and humiliated him, and revealed this verse. He will be taunted with these words in Hell as a reminder of his own words and additional torment.Muhammad 47:18
فَهَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً ۖ فَقَدْ جَآءَ أَشْرَاطُهَا ۚ فَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمْ إِذَا جَآءَتْهُمْ ذِكْرَىٰهُمْ
Are they but waiting for the Hour to come upon them by surprise? Already [some of] its signs have appeared[13]. What good will it do them to take heed when it actually befalls them?
[13] Such as the coming of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and the splitting of the moon after the pagans of Makkah challenged the Prophet (ﷺ) which was fulfilled before their eyes, yet they denied that miracle.Al-Fath 48:24
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى كَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ عَنْهُم بِبَطْنِ مَكَّةَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَنْ أَظْفَرَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرًا
It is He Who restrained their hands from you and your hands from them near Makkah[13], after giving you the upper hand over them. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.
[13] A group of pagans of Makkah who were around eighty people came to attack the Muslims in Hudaybiyyah on their way to Makkah, but Muslims were able to take them as captives, then released them.Al-Fath 48:25
هُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ وَٱلْهَدْىَ مَعْكُوفًا أَن يَبْلُغَ مَحِلَّهُۥ ۚ وَلَوْلَا رِجَالٌ مُّؤْمِنُونَ وَنِسَآءٌ مُّؤْمِنَـٰتٌ لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوهُمْ أَن تَطَـُٔوهُمْ فَتُصِيبَكُم مِّنْهُم مَّعَرَّةٌۢ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۖ لِّيُدْخِلَ ٱللَّهُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ لَوْ تَزَيَّلُوا۟ لَعَذَّبْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
It is they who disbelieved and prevented you from the Sacred Mosque and detained the sacrificial animals[14] from reaching their place of sacrifice. If it had not been for the believing men and women whom you could not identify, you might have trampled over them, thus incurring guilt unknowingly, [We would have let you march to Makkah]. [This was] so that Allah may admit to His mercy whom He wills[15]. If they had been distinct [from the disbelievers], We would surely have inflicted on those who disbelieved among them a painful punishment.
[14] i.e., The Prophet (ﷺ) had brought along with him seventy camels to be sacrificed after completing the rituals of ‘Umrah (the minor pilgrimage). [15] Thus, not only the Muslims in Makkah who were not known to their fellow believers were safe, but also those pagans who later embraced Islam were safe too.Al-Fath 48:26
إِذْ جَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلْحَمِيَّةَ حَمِيَّةَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُۥ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَعَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَأَلْزَمَهُمْ كَلِمَةَ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ وَكَانُوٓا۟ أَحَقَّ بِهَا وَأَهْلَهَا ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًا
When the disbelievers harbored pride in their hearts – the pride of ignorance[16] – then Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers, and caused them to adhere to the word of piety[17], for they were more deserving and worthy of it. And Allah is All-Knowing of everything.
[16] This was when the pagans of Makkah prevented the Prophet (ﷺ) and the believers from entering the Sacred House to perform ‘Umrah for fear that Arabs would consider this a shame and insult to the pagans for allowing Muslims to enter Makkah. [17] That none has the right to be worshiped except Allan, and that Muhammad is His messenger (declaration of faith).Qaaf 50:12
كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَأَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلرَّسِّ وَثَمُودُ
The people of Noah rejected [the truth] before them[4], as well as the companions of the Well[5] and Thamūd,
[4] i.e., before the pagans of Makkah. [5] i.e., people of prophet Shu‘ayb or other people. See footnote 25:38.Adh-Dhaariyat 51:53
أَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ طَاغُونَ
Did they suggest this to one another[17]? Rather they are transgressing people.
[17] i.e., Did the previous disbelievers pass on these false allegations to the pagans of Makkah so they repeat their words?At-Tur 52:32
أَمْ تَأْمُرُهُمْ أَحْلَـٰمُهُم بِهَـٰذَآ ۚ أَمْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ طَاغُونَ
Do their minds[12] prompt them to say such things, or are they transgressing people?
[12] The leaders of pagans in Makkah claimed to be of great minds. Here it questions their intelligence, arguing that a man cannot be a madman and a poet at the same time.At-Tur 52:34
فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِحَدِيثٍ مِّثْلِهِۦٓ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Then let them produce a discourse like this, if they are truthful[13].
[13] Arab pagans were challenged to produce the like of this Quran, ten surahs, or one surah, but the challenge has never been met until the present day. See 2:23, 11:13, 52:34.An-Najm 53:20
وَمَنَوٰةَ ٱلثَّالِثَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ
and Manāt, the third one as well[8]?
[8] These were three well-known idols or goddesses worshiped by Arab pagans before the advent of Islam.An-Najm 53:24
أَمْ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ مَا تَمَنَّىٰ
Is it that man can get whatever he wishes for[10]?
[10] The pagans worshiped these idols wishing that they would intercede for them on the Day of Resurrection. See 39:3.An-Najm 53:49
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلشِّعْرَىٰ
and that He is the Lord of Sirius[17].
[17] i.e., a star worshiped by some pagans before Islam.Al-Qamar 54:1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱقْتَرَبَتِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلْقَمَرُ
The Hour has drawn near and the moon has split asunder[1].
[1] The Quraysh pagans challenged the Prophet (ﷺ) to split the moon in two so that they believe in him. The moon was split as they requested and then re-joined, and the incident was reported by several eyewitnesses in different parts of the land; however, they still refused to believe, considering it magic.Al-Waaqia 56:79
لَّا يَمَسُّهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْمُطَهَّرُونَ
that none can touch except the purified ones[12] –
[12] i.e., angels. It refutes the claim of the pagans that the Qur’an was sent down by devils. (See 26:210-212). Based on this verse, many Muslim jurists held that one should perform ablution prior to reading the Qur’an.Al-Hashr 59:15
كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ قَرِيبًا ۖ ذَاقُوا۟ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
They are like those who were shortly before them[12], who tasted the evil consequence of their deeds, and for them there will be a painful punishment.
[12] Referring to the defeat of the pagans of Makkah at the Battle of Badr or the exile of the Jews of Banu Qaynuqā‘.Al-Qalam 68:16
سَنَسِمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْخُرْطُومِ
We will soon brand him on the snout[3].
[3] Lit., "trunk," meaning the nose of an elephant or pig. These verses refer to Al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah, a leader of the pagans of Makkah and a staunch enemy of Islam. He called the Prophet (ﷺ) a madman, so the Qur’an responded by mentioning ten of Al-Walīd’s qualities. (See 53:33-35 and 74:11-26). Two of those qualities were not known to him: the fact that he was an illegitimate child and that his nose would be chopped off years later at the Battle of Badr. Khālid ibn al-Walīd and two of his brothers embraced Islam.Al-Ma'aarij 70:1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ سَأَلَ سَآئِلٌۢ بِعَذَابٍ وَاقِعٍ
A challenger asked for a punishment bound to come[1]
[1] In the Hereafter. The pagans of Makkah had challenged the Prophet (ﷺ) in ridicule by asking Allah to bring upon them His punishment. See 8:32.Al-Ma'aarij 70:37
عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ عِزِينَ
from the right and from the left, in crowds[13]?
[13] Some pagans of Makkah gathered around the Prophet (ﷺ) mocking and opposing him, claiming that if there is in fact a Hereafter, they would enter Paradise before the believers.Al-Jinn 72:19
وَأَنَّهُۥ لَمَّا قَامَ عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ يَدْعُوهُ كَادُوا۟ يَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِ لِبَدًا
Yet when the slave of Allah stood up supplicating Him, they swarmed around him[10].”
[10] Crowding in the manner of locusts on top of one another in order to hear him (ﷺ). It refers to the jinn or to the Arabs pagans.Al-Muddaththir 74:11
ذَرْنِى وَمَنْ خَلَقْتُ وَحِيدًا
Leave me to deal with the one whom I created lonely[5],
[5] i.e., having no wealth or children. It refers to al-Walīd bin al-Mughīrah, who was impressed by the Qur’an, yet he publicly denied it to win the approval of the pagans of Makkah.Al-Muddaththir 74:31
وَمَا جَعَلْنَآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلنَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةً ۙ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا عِدَّتَهُمْ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِيَسْتَيْقِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَيَزْدَادَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًا ۙ وَلَا يَرْتَابَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۙ وَلِيَقُولَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ جُنُودَ رَبِّكَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَمَا هِىَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْبَشَرِ
We have only appointed angels as keepers of the Fire, and We have only made their number as a test for the disbelievers[8], so that those who were given the Scripture may have certainty and the believers may increase in faith; and neither those who were given the Scripture nor the believers may have any doubts; and so that those [hypocrites] in whose hearts is sickness and the disbelievers may say, “What does Allah mean by this number?” Thus Allah causes to stray whom He wills and guides whom He wills, and none knows the soldiers of your Lord but He. This is but a reminder to mankind.
[8] To say what they want to say, so their punishment will be multiplied for them. Abu Jahl, one of the chief pagans in Makkah, made fun of the Prophet (ﷺ) when they came to know that the keepers of Hell are nineteen angels, so he ridiculed this number and said that it is an easy number to overcome.Al-Insaan 76:27
إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ يُحِبُّونَ ٱلْعَاجِلَةَ وَيَذَرُونَ وَرَآءَهُمْ يَوْمًا ثَقِيلًا
Indeed, these [pagans] love this fleeting life and pay no heed to a heavy Day ahead of them.
An-Naba 78:3
ٱلَّذِى هُمْ فِيهِ مُخْتَلِفُونَ
that which they differ about[2].
[2] The pagans of Makkah denied the Qur’an, resurrection, and judgment. They differed as to whether the Qur’an was magic, fortune-telling, or poetry.Abasa 80:2
أَن جَآءَهُ ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ
when the blind man came to him[1].
[1] Abdullah ibn Um Maktūm, an early Muslim who was blind, came to the Prophet (ﷺ) seeking knowledge and guidance, while the Prophet (ﷺ) was in the middle of a discussion with some leading pagans of Makkah, calling them to Islam. The Prophet (ﷺ) frowned and turned his attention from him. So this Makkan surah was revealed.