Surah Saba — Verse 5

Word Meanings:

• Sa'aw (سَعَوْا): They strove, worked hard, and exerted their utmost effort.
• Fi Ayatina (فِي آيَاتِنَا): Against Our signs, proofs, and revelations.
• Mu'ajizeen (مُعَاجِزِينَ): Those who seek to frustrate and outrun Allah, thinking they can escape His power or render His signs ineffective. It implies a sense of competition and defiance, as if they are racing to defeat the truth.
• Rijz (رِجْزٍ): A severe, loathsome, and repugnant form of punishment—often described as the worst kind of torment.
• Aleem (أَلِيم): Painful, agonizing, and excruciating.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This verse paints a vivid picture of a specific type of person—those who do not merely reject the truth passively, but actively and aggressively work against it. They strive with all their might to nullify Allah's signs, to discredit His messengers, and to turn people away from the path of guidance. They mock the revelations, calling them magic or sorcery, and they label the Prophet ﷺ as a poet, a soothsayer, or a madman—all in a desperate attempt to undermine the divine message.

Their condition is described as *mu'ajizeen*—they think they can outrun Allah, that they can escape His grasp, or that they can somehow "beat" the divine plan. They race against the truth as if competing with their Creator, unaware that no one can frustrate Allah's will or escape His justice.

For such people, the Qur'an delivers a stern and terrifying promise: "For them is a punishment of painful torment." The word *rijz* emphasizes that this punishment is not just painful—it is filthy, detestable, and utterly humiliating. It is the worst kind of suffering, both physical and spiritual, reserved for those who waged war against the truth.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of opposing Allah's message. It warns us that merely disbelieving is one thing, but actively striving to extinguish the light of Allah is an offense of the highest order. The punishment for such hostility is severe and inevitable.

A Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, let this verse be a wake-up call. Reflect on your own actions: Are you a supporter of the truth, or are you—knowingly or unknowingly—working against it? Every person who mocks the Qur'an, every person who spreads doubts about Islam, every person who tries to block others from the path of Allah—they all fall under this warning.

But the door of repentance is always open. The same Qur'an that warns of punishment also promises mercy for those who turn back. Do not be among those who strive against Allah's signs. Instead, be among those who strive in the path of Allah—with sincerity, patience, and love. The choice is yours, and the outcome is clear: eternal bliss for the believers, and painful torment for the defiant.

Let this verse inspire you to stand firmly with the truth, to defend the honor of the Qur'an, and to be a beacon of guidance for others. For indeed, Allah's promise is true, and His justice is perfect.