Transliteration:( Innal lazeena kafaroo sawaaa'un 'alaihim 'a-anzar tahum am lam tunzirhum laa yu'minoon )
"Surely those who are infidels [19], it is alike [20] whether you warn them or warn them not, they will never believe [21]."
'Infidels' here includes all those non-believers who are categorized as such in respect of Divine Knowledge.
They are people from whom no benefit can be expected through preaching or warnings.
No matter how much effort is made to enlighten them, it is futile—just like washing coal will never make it white.
An individual who is inherently impure cannot be purified simply by water. Similarly, those whose hearts are hardened against truth cannot be transformed by mere external efforts.
The phrase 'it is alike' means that instilling fear of the consequences of disbelief in such people will have no effect—but this is in relation to them, not to you.
Although they will be deprived of the benefits of your preaching, you will still be rewarded for fulfilling your duty.
This is why the verse does not say "upon you it is the same"—because the one who conveys the truth, even if there is no response, still earns the pleasure and reward of Allah.
Hence, your responsibility is to convey—not to guarantee results.
This verse refers specifically to avowed disbelievers such as Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab, and others, who were destined to remain in disbelief.
Their hearts were sealed, and Imaan (faith) was kept from entering them due to divine decree.
This verse also subtly indicates that Allah had already granted His Beloved Nabi ﷺ knowledge of who would believe and who would not.
Although the context of this verse is specific, referring to particular individuals, the wording is general—so the general rule takes precedence.
It demonstrates the foreknowledge of the Prophet ﷺ about people’s ultimate fate, as granted by Allah.
6. Verily, those who disbelieve, it is the same to them whether you warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe.
Allah said,
(Verily, those who disbelieve) meaning, covered the truth and hid it. Since Allah has written that they would do so, it does not matter if you (O Muhammad ) warn them or not, they would still have disbelieved in what you were sent with. Similarly, Allah said,
(Truly, those against whom the Word (wrath) of your Lord has been justified, will not believe. Even if every sign should come to them, until they see the painful torment) (10:96-97).
About the rebellious People of the Book, Allah said,
(And even if you were to bring to the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) all the Ayat, they would not follow your Qiblah (prayer direction)) (2:5).
These Ayat indicate that whomever Allah has written to be miserable, they shall never find anyone to guide them to happiness, and whomever Allah directs to misguidance, he shall never find anyone to guide him. So do not pity them – O Muhammad – deliver the Message to them. Certainly, whoever among them accepts the Message, then he shall gain the best rewards. As for those who turn away in rejection, do not feel sad for them or concerned about them, for
(Your duty is only to convey (the Message) and on Us is the reckoning) (13: 40), and,
(But you are only a warner. And Allah is a Wakil (Disposer of affairs, Trustee, Guardian) over all things) (11:12).
`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said about Allah’s statement,
(Verily, those who disbelieve, it is the same to them whether you (O Muhammad ) warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe) “That the Messenger of Allah was eager for all the people to believe and follow the guidance he was sent with. Allah informed him that none would believe except for those whom He decreed happiness for in the first place, and none would stray except those who Allah has decreed to do so in the first place.”
(2:6) As for those who have rejected (these truths),[9] it is all the same whether or not you warn them, for they will not believe.
9. That is, those people who do not meet these six requirements, or reject all or any one of the fundamentals set out above.
[11]- Literally, "cover" or "conceal" (faith or truth).
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