Surah Al-Haqqah — Verse 42

Word Meanings:

• Kāhin (كَاهِن): A soothsayer or fortune-teller who claims knowledge of the unseen through jinn or supernatural means, often using rhymed prose (saj‘) and ambiguous statements.
• Qalīlan mā tadhakkarūn (قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ): "Little do you remember" — meaning you rarely, if ever, reflect or take heed.

Explanation of the Verse:

After establishing in the preceding verses that the Qur’an is not the word of a poet, Allah now refutes another false accusation: that it is the speech of a soothsayer. The disbelievers of Makkah, in their stubbornness, tried every label to dismiss the divine revelation — first calling it poetry, then sorcery, and here, the rhymed utterances of a fortune-teller. Allah responds by declaring that the Qur’an is utterly distinct from the vague, deceptive ramblings of soothsayers. Their words are built on guesswork, ambiguity, and fabricated tales of the unseen, while the Qur’an is precise, truthful, and filled with clear guidance, undeniable wisdom, and profound laws that govern human life. It speaks of the past with accuracy, foretells the future with certainty, and challenges humanity to produce anything like it — a challenge no one has ever met.

Then Allah says: *“Little do you remember”* — meaning that their reflection and contemplation are almost nonexistent. Had they truly paused and pondered, they would have seen the vast difference between the fleeting, hollow words of a soothsayer and the eternal, life-giving words of the Creator. But their hearts were sealed by arrogance and prejudice, so they failed to grasp what was plain and evident.

A Call to Reflection:

Dear reader, this verse invites you to open your heart and mind. The Qur’an is not a human invention, nor is it the product of a poet or a soothsayer. It is the speech of the Lord of the worlds — a book that has stood the test of time, unchanged and unchallenged for over fourteen centuries. Its scientific insights, its historical accuracy, its psychological depth, and its unmatched eloquence all testify to its divine origin. So why not pause and reflect? Why not let this book guide you to the truth? The One who revealed it knows what lies in your heart, and He has sent it as a mercy and a light for all who seek Him. Do not be among those who turn away — for the Qur’an will be a witness for you or against you on the Day when every soul shall see what it has sent forth. Let this be your moment to remember, to ponder, and to embrace the truth that sets you free.