Surah At-Taghabun 64:6
سُورَةُ التَّغَابُنِ · Medinan · Verse 6 of 18
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُۥ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرٌۭ يَهْدُونَنَا فَكَفَرُوا۟ وَتَوَلَّوا۟ ۚ وَّٱسْتَغْنَى ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌۭ
Translation
That is because their messengers came to them with clear signs, yet they said, ‘Should we take guidance from mere mortals?’, rejected the message, and turned away. But God had no need for them: He is all sufficient, worthy of all praise.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens by explaining the reason for the distress and punishment that befell past disbelievers. It's a direct address to the disbelievers of Makkah, serving as a powerful warning of the consequences of rejecting Allah's message. Allah is speaking directly, recounting the story of previous nations to illustrate the gravity of their current actions.
The Clear Proofs
The verse begins with ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُۥ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ (That is because their messengers used to come to them with clear proofs). The Arabic particle `بِأَنَّهُۥ` (bi-annahu) emphasizes causality; it means "because of the fact that." This highlights that what happened to them was a direct result of their choices. Ibn Ashur notes that `أَنَّهُۥ` is a special pronoun used to amplify the significance of what follows, drawing attention to the serious nature of their transgression. The phrase `كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ` (used to come to them) implies a continuous, repeated effort from the messengers, not just a single encounter, underlining the persistent guidance these nations received. These `بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ` (clear proofs) were manifest signs, miracles, and the very message itself, like the Quran, as Ibn Ashur points out.
The Question of Rejection
Despite these clear proofs, their response was immediate: فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرٌۭ يَهْدُونَنا (and they said, "Are humans guiding us?"). The `فاء` (fa) indicates a swift, dismissive reaction. Ibn Ashur describes `أَبَشَرٌۭ يَهْدُونَنا` as a rhetorical question of denial and invalidation. They found it absurd that a mere human could guide them. The word `بَشَرٌ` (human) is used in its indefinite form, suggesting a blanket rejection of any human being as a messenger. As al-Zamakhshari notes, it's ironic that they rejected human guides yet saw no issue in worshipping inanimate objects like stones. Their ignorance of how Allah chooses His messengers, from among humanity itself, is a key part of their error, as Ibn Ashur clarifies.
Disbelief and Turning Away
This rejection quickly spiraled into full disobedience, as the verse continues: فَكَفَرُوا۟ وَتَوَلَّوا۟ (so they disbelieved and turned away). The repetition of the `فاء` again shows an immediate consequence: their denial of human messengers led directly to disbelief in Allah's message, followed by a complete turning away. Al-Razi explains that while `كَفَرُوا۟` (they disbelieved) addresses their rejection of the truth in their hearts, `تَوَلَّوا۟` (they turned away) emphasizes their physical and emotional aversion, their refusal to accept the call and engage with it.
Allah's Self-Sufficiency
The verse concludes with a profound statement about Allah's absolute power: وَٱسْتَغْنَى ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌۭ (and Allah became self-sufficient, and Allah is All-Sufficient, Praiseworthy). The scholars clarify the meaning of `وَٱسْتَغْنَى ٱللَّهُ`. Al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi explain that Allah, being eternally self-sufficient, doesn't "become" so. Rather, His self-sufficiency *became apparent* or *was demonstrated* through His actions. It means Allah showed that He did not need their belief and would not compel them, despite His infinite power. Ibn Ashur adds that the `س` and `ت` in `ٱسْتَغْنَى` convey an emphatic form, highlighting His complete independence from any of His creation. The final phrase, `وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌۭ` (and Allah is All-Sufficient, Praiseworthy), acts as a concluding emphasis (tadhyeel), reinforcing that Allah is utterly independent and worthy of all praise, regardless of human actions. He needs nothing from anyone, and His attributes are perfect.
Reflection
The carefully chosen words in this verse reveal the depth of past nations' arrogance and the ultimate truth of Allah's complete independence. It shows that their disbelief did not diminish Allah in any way, but only harmed themselves. This invites us to check our own hearts: do we truly recognize Allah's majesty and our profound need for His guidance, or do we, too, allow our biases and pride to turn us away from His clear proofs?
Source: al-Muyassar, al-Zamakhshari, Ibn Ashur, al-Jalalayn, al-Razi.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah At-Taghabun 64:6 is discussed in 5 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah At-Taghabun 64:6 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.