Surah Al-An'am 6:4
سُورَةُ الأَنۡعَامِ · Meccan · Verse 4 of 165
وَمَا تَأْتِيهِم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍۢ مِّنْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ
Translation
but every time revelation comes to them from their Lord, they turn their backs on it.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse opens by speaking about the disbelievers who partner others with Allah. It describes their persistent rejection of clear proofs for Allah's oneness and Prophet Muhammad's truthfulness. It is a rebuke, delivered by Allah, to highlight their stubbornness.
The Flow of Signs
The word "تأتيهم" (ta'tihim) means "comes to them." While these events often happened in the past, the Quran uses the present tense here, as Ibn Ashur notes. This choice emphasizes that the signs weren't a one-time occurrence but arrived continuously, time after time, refreshing the challenge to their disbelief. It paints a picture of a relentless stream of evidence reaching them.
No Sign Untouched
Consider the phrase "مِّنْ ءَايَةٍۢ مِّنْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ" (min ayatin min ayati rabbihim), which means "not a single sign from among the signs of their Lord." The two uses of "مِّنْ" (min) are crucial. As scholars like al-Zamakhshari, al-Razi, and Ibn Ashur explain, the first "مِّنْ" (min) before "آيةٍ" (ayatin - sign) signals a complete negation. It means *not even one sign*, no matter how small or great. The second "مِّنْ" (min) before "آيَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ" (ayati rabbihim - signs of their Lord) is partitive, meaning *from among* the vast collection of divine signs. Together, they stress that out of the countless proofs Allah sends, not a solitary one escaped their rejection.
Ibn Ashur also highlights the word "رَبِّهِمْ" (Rabbihim), "their Lord." Adding "their" (هم) emphasizes their deep ingratitude and disobedience, as it is the right of a servant to accept what comes from their Master. These signs include both the miraculous verses of the Quran and tangible wonders, like the splitting of the moon, which served as proofs for the Prophet's truthfulness and Allah's unity.
A State of Turning Away
The verse continues: "إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ" (illa kanu anha mu'ridin), meaning "except they were turning away from it." The word "إِلَّا" (illa) acts as an intensifier, indicating that their only state was one of rejection. They exhibited no other response. The phrase "معرضين" (mu'ridin), "turning away," is particularly vivid. Ibn Ashur explains that it literally means "turning one's face away from looking at something," and here it is a metaphor for refusing to acknowledge the truth or even consider it. The active participle form of "معرضين" further emphasizes that this turning away was not a fleeting action but an ingrained, continuous characteristic of theirs. It was a consistent, unwavering refusal to look, listen, or reflect.
This careful choice of words paints a stark picture of people so determined in their denial that no amount of divine evidence, continuously sent and overwhelmingly clear, could penetrate their hearts or minds.
Sources: al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn
Worldly Mirror
This verse, Surah 6:4, describes a profound human tendency. Allah, the speaker, addresses those who disbelieve and associate partners with Him, specifically the Makkans of the Prophet's time, yet the pattern it describes is seen across all human history. The immediate situation is a strong critique of their persistent rejection of divine guidance.
The Clear Signs
The ayah begins, "And no sign comes to them from the signs of their Lord..." (وَمَا تَأْتِيهِم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍۢ مِّنْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ). These "signs" (ayat) are not just one type of proof. As al-Munir explains, they include the verses of the Quran, explicit miracles like the splitting of the moon, and the clear proofs within the universe itself that point to Allah's Oneness and the truthfulness of His messengers. They are powerful, undeniable indicators from the One who created and sustains them.
The Act of Turning Away
Despite these clear signs, the verse concludes, "...except that they turn away from them" (إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ). This turning away (i'rad) is not mere ignorance; it is a deliberate, persistent posture of disinterest and rejection. Israr Ahmad highlights that even as new revelations and signs were sent, these people remained "set on turning away." Sayyid Qutb describes this as a "stubborn" type of person, one whose "eyes are blinded to truth." This isn't just about intellect; it’s a sickness of the heart, an obstinacy, and an insistence on falsehood, as Sayyid Qutb notes.
Why Do Hearts Turn Away?
Tazkirul Quran offers a deep insight into this inner turning away. Even when signs are clear, they often appear "behind veils of causes." A person might attribute a miracle to natural phenomena or dismiss compelling arguments by simply saying, "If this were truly from God, He or angels would appear directly." This expectation ignores that divine signs in the context of an invitation (daw'ah) are meant to guide, not to force belief through overwhelming display. Moreover, self-confidence and contempt for the messenger of truth can make one dismiss divine warnings as insignificant. al-Munir points out that this rejection can escalate from mere turning away to outright denial, and then to mockery, each stage being more severe than the last.
A Mirror for Us
This verse acts as a mirror, inviting us to reflect on our own receptiveness to truth. Do we, like those described, maintain an "إعراض" (turning away) from clear guidance that challenges our comfort or established ways? In our personal lives, when a truth about ourselves or the world becomes evident, do we genuinely consider it, or do we find ways to dismiss it, attribute it to other causes, or simply ignore it? On a societal level, this verse warns of a recurring human pattern: the refusal to acknowledge clear signs, which historically leads to ruin. It compels us to cultivate humility and openness in our hearts, allowing ourselves to be shaped by divine guidance rather than turning away from it.
Sources: Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Tazkirul Quran, Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-An'am 6:4 is discussed in 4 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-An'am 6:4 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.