Surah Al-An"aam 6:43 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah Al-An"aam, Ayah 43
Arabic Text
فَلَوۡلَاۤ اِذۡ جَآءَهُمۡ بَاۡسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوۡا وَلٰـكِنۡ قَسَتۡ قُلُوۡبُهُمۡ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيۡطٰنُ مَا كَانُوۡا يَعۡمَلُوۡنَ
Transliteration
Falawla ith jaahumba/suna tadarraAAoo walakin qasat quloobuhumwazayyana lahumu ashshaytanu ma kanooyaAAmaloon
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
Al-An'am 6:43, beginning with 'Falawla idh jaahum basuna tadarraoo walaqin qasat qulubuhum wazayyana lahum ashshaytanu ma kano yamaloon' (Why not, when Our punishment came to them, did they humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing), provides the divine explanation for why some communities fail to benefit spiritually from divine trials and hardships according to authentic Islamic scholarship. This verse follows the previous ayah's description of how Allah tests nations with adversity to encourage humility, but here explains the tragic reality that not all hearts respond positively to divine testing. The rhetorical question 'Falawla idh jaahum basuna tadarraoo' (Why not did they humble themselves when Our punishment came?) expresses divine disappointment at the missed opportunity for spiritual awakening through trials. Classical tafsir explains that 'tadarru' refers to humble supplication, sincere repentance, and genuine submission to Allah that should naturally result from experiencing divine power through calamities. However, the conjunction 'walaqin' (but) introduces the tragic contrast: instead of softening toward Allah, 'qasat qulubuhum' (their hearts became hardened) like stone that cannot absorb water or benefit from it. Ibn Kathir notes that spiritual hardness results from persistent pride, arrogance, and repeated rejection of divine guidance, making the heart increasingly resistant to spiritual awakening even through severe trials. The phrase 'wazayyana lahum ashshaytanu ma kano yamaloon' (Satan made attractive to them what they were doing) reveals Satan's crucial role in this spiritual blindness - he beautifies their sins, rationalizes their disobedience, and provides false justifications that prevent genuine self-reflection during times when divine mercy calls them to repentance through adversity. This verse teaches that trials alone do not guarantee spiritual benefit; the heart's condition and response determine whether hardship leads to spiritual growth or further spiritual deterioration, demonstrating that divine guidance requires both external signs and internal receptivity, while pride and satanic deception can render even the clearest divine messages ineffective for those who choose spiritual hardness over humble submission.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Tafsir & Context
Detailed tafsir and context for Surah Al-An"aam Ayah 43 will be available soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah Al-An"aam Ayah 43
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What does 'Falawla idh jaahum basuna tadarraoo' mean in Al-An'am 6:43?
This phrase translates to 'Why not, when Our punishment came to them, did they humble themselves?' It's a rhetorical question expressing divine disappointment at the missed opportunity for spiritual awakening through trials. 'Tadarru' refers to humble supplication, sincere repentance, and genuine submission to Allah that should naturally result from experiencing divine power through calamities, but some hearts fail to respond with proper humility.
❓Why do some people refuse to humble themselves during divine trials?
Some people refuse humility during trials because their hearts have become hardened through persistent pride, arrogance, and repeated rejection of divine guidance. This spiritual hardness makes the heart resistant to awakening even through severe trials. Additionally, Satan plays a crucial role by beautifying their sins, rationalizing their disobedience, and providing false justifications that prevent genuine self-reflection during times when divine mercy calls them to repentance.
❓What causes hearts to become hardened against divine guidance according to this verse?
Hearts become hardened ('qasat qulubuhum') through persistent pride, arrogance, and repeated rejection of divine guidance. Like stone that cannot absorb water, hardened hearts become increasingly resistant to spiritual awakening. The process involves choosing ego over truth, ignoring divine signs, and allowing Satan to beautify sins and disobedience, creating a cycle where each rejection makes the next one easier and the heart less responsive to divine guidance.
❓How does Satan beautify sins during times of calamity according to this verse?
'Wazayyana lahum ashshaytanu ma kano yamaloon' (Satan made attractive to them what they were doing) reveals Satan's role in spiritual blindness. During trials, when people should naturally turn to Allah, Satan provides false justifications for their behavior, rationalizes their disobedience, makes their sins appear reasonable or even virtuous, and prevents the genuine self-reflection that calamities are meant to inspire. This satanic deception blocks the path to repentance and spiritual awakening.
❓What is the spiritual significance of refusing humility during divine tests?
Refusing humility during divine tests represents a fundamental spiritual failure - the inability to recognize divine authority and submit to it even when confronted with clear evidence of human limitation. This refusal indicates spiritual pride that prioritizes ego over truth, demonstrates resistance to the very purpose of trials (which is spiritual awakening), and shows that the heart has chosen hardness over receptivity to divine guidance, leading to further spiritual deterioration rather than growth.
❓How do hardened hearts prevent spiritual awakening according to Islamic teaching?
Hardened hearts prevent spiritual awakening by becoming like stone that cannot absorb water - impervious to divine guidance and spiritual influence. They lose sensitivity to truth and falsehood, right and wrong, making it impossible to benefit from trials, divine signs, or prophetic guidance. The hardened heart develops immunity to spiritual experiences that would normally lead to repentance and growth, creating a state where even clear divine messages become ineffective for spiritual transformation.
❓What role does pride play in interfering with proper response to divine trials?
Pride interferes with proper response to divine trials by preventing the humility ('tadarru') that trials are designed to awaken. Pride makes people resist acknowledging their dependence on Allah, refuse to admit their mistakes or limitations, rationalize their behavior rather than examine it honestly, and maintain ego-driven attitudes even when faced with clear evidence of divine power. This pride blocks the very spiritual humility that would allow them to benefit from divine guidance through adversity.
❓How does this verse connect to the broader themes of Surah Al-An'am?
Al-An'am 6:43 connects to the surah's themes about divine sovereignty, human responsibility in responding to guidance, and the tragic consequences of spiritual pride. After establishing how Allah tests nations through hardship to encourage humility (6:42), this verse explains why some fail to benefit from divine mercy. It reinforces the surah's emphasis on the importance of spiritual receptivity, the dangers of pride and following Satan, and the contrast between those who submit to divine authority and those who resist it through hardened hearts.
❓What practical guidance does this verse offer for maintaining spiritual receptivity?
This verse guides spiritual development by warning against the dangers of spiritual pride and hardness. It teaches the importance of maintaining humility during both ease and hardship, regularly examining one's heart condition and response to divine guidance, being aware of Satan's attempts to beautify sins and rationalize disobedience, and actively cultivating spiritual softness through sincere repentance, prayer, and submission to Allah. It emphasizes that trials are opportunities for spiritual growth that require conscious choice to respond with humility rather than pride.
❓What does this verse teach about the relationship between trials and spiritual growth?
This verse teaches that trials alone do not guarantee spiritual growth - the heart's condition and response determine whether hardship leads to spiritual development or further deterioration. Divine guidance requires both external signs (trials) and internal receptivity (humble hearts). While trials provide opportunities for awakening, pride and satanic deception can render even the clearest divine messages ineffective. True spiritual benefit requires choosing humility over pride and genuine self-reflection over self-justification when faced with divine tests.
Translations & Commentary
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