Surah Al-Muddaththir 74:49
سُورَةُ المُدَّثِّرِ · Meccan · Verse 49 of 56
فَمَا لَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلتَّذْكِرَةِ مُعْرِضِينَ
Translation
What is the matter with them? Why do they turn away from the warning,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
The verse begins with a profound question, yet it is not a mere inquiry. "فَمَا لَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلتَّذْكِرَةِ مُعْرِضِينَ" – "What is wrong with them, turning away from the Reminder?" This opening, "فَمَا لَهُمْ" (Fama lahum), is an exclamation of astonishment, almost like saying, "What on earth has come over them?" or "Why are they behaving so strangely?" As Ibn Ashur explains, it expresses wonder at the utterly bizarre and illogical state of those who reject the truth. Allah, in His perfect wisdom, highlights the sheer absurdity of their stance.
The Deliberate Rejection
The focus then shifts to what they are turning away from: "عَنِ ٱلتَّذْكِرَةِ" (ani al-Tadhkirati), meaning "the Reminder" or "the Admonition." The plain meaning, clarified by scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi, is that this primarily refers to the Qur'an and its profound wisdom and warnings. Ibn Ashur notes the significance of using the explicit noun "التذكرة" rather than a pronoun (like "from it"). This choice isn't accidental; it emphasizes that their rejection isn't just of one specific warning, but a comprehensive turning away from *every* form of reminder, with the Qur'an being the most magnificent of them all. It underscores the complete and utter nature of their refusal to be guided.
A State of Turning Away
Finally, the word "مُعْرِضِينَ" (mu'ridheen) is crucial. It describes their continuous state, their deliberate posture. Grammatically, as al-Jalalayn and others point out, it functions as a circumstantial adverb, clarifying *how* they are, or *in what state* they exist: actively and persistently "turning away." It's not a momentary lapse or a passive oversight, but an ingrained, chosen stance of aversion. This single word paints a picture of individuals stubbornly facing away from the very source of light and guidance meant for their benefit, despite the clear and astounding nature of the message. This divine wonder at their deliberate aversion invites us to ponder the immense value of the Reminder and the tragedy of turning away from it.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
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