Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 118

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Those who do not know say: “Why is it that Allah does not speak to us, nor does a sign come to us?” So spoke those before them as these people do. Their hearts resemble each other. We have indeed made the signs clear for the people who have certitude.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Those who have no knowledge say, “If only Allah would speak to us or a sign would come to us!” The same was said by those who came before. Their hearts are all alike. Indeed, We have made the signs clear for people of sure faith.

Ruwwad Translation Center

Those who have no knowledge say, “If only Allah would speak to us or a sign be given to us.” Those who came before them said similar words. Their hearts are all alike. We have made the signs clear to people who have sure faith.

A. J. Arberry

And they that know not say, 'Why does God not speak to us? Why does a sign not come to us?' So spoke those before them as these men say; their hearts are much alike. Yet We have made clear the signs unto a people who are sure

Abdul Haleem

Those who have no knowledge also say, ‘If only God would speak to us!’ or ‘If only a miraculous sign would come to us!’ People before them said the same things: their hearts are all alike. We have made Our signs clear enough to those who have solid faith.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And those who know not, say: Wherefore speakest not God unto us? or cometh not unto us a sign? Thus aid those before them the like of their saying: consimilar are their hearts. We have already manifested the signs unto the people who would be convinced.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Say those without knowledge; "Why speaketh not Allah unto us? or why cometh not unto us a Sign?" So said the people before them words of similar import. Their hearts are alike. We have indeed made clear the Signs unto any people who hold firmly to Faith (in their hearts).

Abul Ala Maududi

The ignorant people say, "Why does not Allah Himself talk to us or why does not a Sign come to us?" The people before them also talked like this, for all (who swerve from the Right Path) have the same mentality. We have already shown clear Signs to those who believe;

Ahmed Ali

But those who are ignorant say: "Why does God not speak or show us a sign?" The same question had been asked by men before them, who were like them in their hearts. But to those who are firm in their faith We have shown Our signs already.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And the ignorant people said, “Why does not Allah speak to us, or some sign come to us?” Those before them had also spoken in the same way as they speak; their hearts (and of those before them) are all alike; undoubtedly, We have made the signs clear for the people who have faith.

Ali Quli Qarai

Those who have no knowledge say, ‘Why does not Allah speak to us, or come to us a sign?’ So said those who were before them, [words] similar to what they say. Alike are their hearts. We have certainly made the signs clear for a people who have certainty.

Ali Ünal

Those who have no knowledge (from Him, those who do not recognize God, and therefore lead an ignorant life) say: "Why does not God speak to us (directly) or a manifest sign (a miracle) come to us?" So spoke those before them, a word like theirs. Their hearts are alike. Yet We have made clear the signs (the Revelations establishing the Unity and Sovereignty of God, the Messengership of Muhammad, and the Divine authorship of the Qur’an,) to a people who seek certainty (with open, inquiring minds).

Amatul Rahman Omar

And those who do not know (the wisdom implied in Divine revelation) say, `Why does not Allâh (Himself) speak to us or give us a (convincing) sign?´ That is exactly what their predecessors had said. Their hearts have become very much alike. We have certainly made (Our) signs explicitly clear for a people who wish to be convinced.

English Literal

And those who do not know said: "If only God converses/speaks (to) us or a sign/verse/evidence comes to us." Like that those from before them said alike/similar/equal (to) their saying. Their hearts/minds resembled (each other), We had clarified/explained the signs/verses/evidences to a nation being sure/certain .

Faridul Haque

And the ignorant people said, “Why does not Allah speak to us, or some sign come to us?” Those before them had also spoken in the same way as they speak; their hearts (and of those before them) are all alike; undoubtedly, We have made the signs clear for the people who have faith.

Hamid S. Aziz

And those without knowledge say, "Why does not Allah speak to us?" or "Why does no sign come to us?". So spoke those before them in words of similar meaning. Their hearts are all alike. We have made manifest the signs unto a people that are sure.

Hilali & Khan

And those who have no knowledge say: "Why does not Allah speak to us (face to face) or why does not a sign come to us?" So said the people before them words of similar import. Their hearts are alike, We have indeed made plain the signs for people who believe with certainty.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And those who have no knowledge say: Why does not Allah speak to us or a sign come to us? Even thus said those before them, the like of what they say. Their hearts are all alike. Indeed We have made the messages clear for a people who are sure.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And those who have no knowledge say: Why does not Allah speak to us or a sign come to us? Even thus said those before them, the like of what they say; their hearts are all alike. Indeed We have made the communications clear for a people who are sure.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And those who have no knowledge say: Why doth not Allah speak unto us, or some sign come unto us? Even thus, as they now speak, spake those (who were) before them. Their hearts are all alike. We have made clear the revelations for people who are sure.

Muhammad Sarwar

The ignorant have asked, "Why does He not speak to us and why has no evidence come to show us (that He exists)?" People before them had also asked such questions. They all think in the same way. We have already made the evidence very clear for those who have certainty.

Qaribullah & Darwish

And those who do not know say: 'Why does not Allah speak to us or a sign come to us' Likewise, those who were before them said similar to their saying. Their hearts are alike. Indeed, We have clarified the signs to a nation who are certain.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And those who have no knowledge say: "Why does not Allah speak to us (face to face) or why does not a sign come to us" So said the people before them words of similar import. Their hearts are alike, We have indeed made plain the signs for people who believe with certainty.

Wahiduddin Khan

Those who are devoid of knowledge say, "Why does God not speak to us or show us a sign?" The same demand was made by those before them; their hearts are all alike. We have made the signs clear to those whose faith is firm.

Talal Itani

Those who do not know say, “If only God would speak to us, or a sign would come to us.” Thus said those who were before them. Their hearts are alike. We have made the signs clear for people who are certain.

Tafsir jalalayn

And they, that is the disbelievers of Mecca, who do not know, say, to the Prophet (s); `Why does God not speak to us?, [to say] that you are His Messenger; Why does a sign not come to us?', of the sort we have requested in order to show your sincerity. So, in the same way that these [disbelievers] have spoken, spoke those before them, from among past communities, to their prophets, the like of what they say, in [their] obstinacy and demand for signs; their hearts are much alike, in terms of unbelief and stubbornness; this is meant as consolation for the Prophet (s). Yet We have made clear the signs to a people who are certain, [a people] who know that these are [God's] signs and so they believe in them, for to request other signs would be obduracy.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Muhammad bin Ishaq reported that Ibn Abbas said that;

Rafi bin Huraymilah said to the Messenger of Allah, "O Muhammad! If you were truly a Messenger from Allah, as you claim, then ask Allah to speak to us directly, so that we hear His Speech."

So Allah revealed,

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لَوْلَا يُكَلِّمُنَا اللّهُ أَوْ تَأْتِينَا ايَةٌ

And those who have no knowledge say;"Why does not Allah speak to us (face to face) or why does not a sign come to us!"

Abu Al-Aliyah, Ar-Rabi bin Anas, Qatadah and As-Suddi said that it was actually the statement of the Arab disbelievers;

كَذَلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ

So said the people before them words of similar import.

He said, "These are the Jews and the Christians."

What further proves that the Arab idolators said the statement mentioned in the Ayah is that Allah said,

وَإِذَا جَأءَتْهُمْ ءَايَةٌ قَالُواْ لَن نُّوْمِنَ حَتَّى نُوْتَى مِثْلَ مَأ أُوتِىَ رُسُلُ اللَّهِ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ حَيْثُ يَجْعَلُ رِسَالَتَهُ سَيُصِيبُ الَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُواْ صَغَارٌ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَعَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَمْكُرُونَ

And when there comes to them a sign (from Allah) they say;"We shall not believe until we receive the like of that which the Messengers of Allah had received." Allah knows best with whom to place His Message. Humiliation and disgrace from Allah and a severe torment will overtake the criminals (polytheists and sinners) for that which they used to plot. (6;124)

and,

وَقَالُواْ لَن نُّوْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّى تَفْجُرَ لَنَا مِنَ الَارْضِ يَنبُوعًا


And they say;"We shall not believe in you (O Muhammad), until you cause a spring to gush forth from the earth for us, until,
قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّي هَلْ كُنتُ إَلاَّ بَشَرًا رَّسُولاً
(Say (O Muhammad);"Glorified (and Exalted) be my Lord ((Allah) above all that evil they (polytheists) associate with Him)! Am I anything but a man, sent as a Messenger!" (17;90-93)

and,

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَأءَنَا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا الْمَلَـيِكَةُ أَوْ نَرَى رَبَّنَا

And those who expect not a meeting with Us (i.e. those who deny the Day of Resurrection and the life of the Hereafter) said;"Why are not the angels sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord!" (25;21)

and,

بَلْ يُرِيدُ كُلُّ امْرِىءٍ مِّنْهُمْ أَن يُوْتَى صُحُفاً مُّنَشَّرَةً

Nay, everyone of them desires that he should be given pages spread out. (74;52)

There are many other Ayat that testify to the disbelief of the Arab idolators, their transgression, stubbornness, and that they asked unnecessary questions out of disbelief and arrogance. The statements of the Arab idolators followed the statements of the nations of the People of the Two Scriptures and other religions before them. Allah said,

يَسْأَلُكَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَـبِ أَن تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ كِتَـباً مِّنَ السَّمَأءِ فَقَدْ سَأَلُواْ مُوسَى أَكْبَرَ مِن ذلِكَ فَقَالُواْ أَرِنَا اللَّهِ جَهْرَةً

The People of the Scripture (Jews) ask you to cause a book to descend upon them from heaven. Indeed, they asked Musa (Moses) for even greater than that, when they said;"Show us Allah in public." (4;153)

and,

وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَـمُوسَى لَن نُّوْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّى نَرَى اللَّهَ جَهْرَةً

And (remember) when you said;"O Musa! We shall never believe in you until we see Allah plainly." (2;55)

Allah's statement,

تَشَابَهَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

Their hearts are alike.

means, the hearts of the Arab idolators are just like the hearts of those before them, containing disbelief, stubbornness and injustice.

Similarly, Allah said,

كَذَلِكَ مَأ أَتَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ قَالُواْ سَـحِرٌ أَوْ مَجْنُونٌ

أَتَوَاصَوْاْ بِهِ

Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said;"A sorcerer or a madman!" Have they (the people of the past) transmitted this saying to these (Quraysh pagans)! (51;52-53)

Allah said next,

قَدْ بَيَّنَّا الايَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ



We have indeed made plain the signs for people who believe with certainty.

meaning, We made the arguments clear, proving the truth of the Messengers, with no need of more questions or proofs for those who believe, follow the Messengers and comprehend what Allah sent them with.

As for those whose hearts and hearing Allah has stamped and whose eyes have been sealed, Allah described them;

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لَا يُوْمِنُونَ

وَلَوْ جَأءَتْهُمْ كُلُّ ءايَةٍ حَتَّى يَرَوُاْ الْعَذَابَ الاٌّلِيمَ

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