This is not something new which we are seeing, it has always been so and people have been denying the existence of One True God while still benefitting from the food He has provided in countless forms, provided wisdom to how to harness the rough seas or make airplanes taking cue from the birds God has created. of Surah 32.
It is with premise at the background that we share the 22nd verse from Surah 32 As Sajdah in which God cautions and warns those who unjustly turn away from worship of the Lord of the Universe even after seeing the signs of His presence:
The Verse
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا ۚ إِنَّا مِنَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ
“And who is more unjust than he who is given good counsel through the Signs of his Lord and yet he turns away from them?34 Surely We will exact full retribution from such criminals.” (32:22)
Context in Surah as-Sajdah
Surah as-Sajdah is a Makkan surah, revealed when Quraysh were rejecting the Qur’an despite clear signs. The earlier verses (32:20–21) describe the punishment of the disbelievers in the Hereafter and in this world (with trials before the final judgment). Then this verse (32:22) pinpoints the core reason for destruction: deliberate turning away from Allah’s reminders after being warned.
So the context is:
- Allah’s guidance was sent (through Qur’an and prophets).
- Disbelievers refused out of arrogance, not ignorance.
- This will bring about Allah’s retribution.
The Signs
“The signs of his Lord” include all kinds of the signs. A perusal of all the Quranic verses in this regard shows that these signs are of the following six kinds:
- The signs which are found in everything from the earth to the heavens.
- The sign which are found in man’s own creation and in his constitution and body.
- The signs which are found in man’s intuition, his unconscious and subconscious mind and in his moral concepts.
- The signs which are found in the continuous experience of human history.
- The signs which are found in the coming down of the earthly and heavenly calamities on man.
- And, over and above all these, the revelations which Allah sent through His Prophets so that man may be made conscious in a rational way of those realities, which are pointed out by all the above-mentioned signs.
Meaning of the verse
- “Who is more unjust…” The greatest injustice is ignoring Allah’s guidance after being reminded. Shirk and kufr are the worst injustices (31:13). That is To hear truth and still reject it is even more blameworthy.
- “…reminded of the verses of his Lord, then turns away…” This refers both to the Qur’an and earlier revelations. The Quraysh are an example: they acknowledged the Qur’an’s eloquence but still denied it.
- “…We will take retribution…” In dunya: humiliation, downfall of arrogant nations. And in ākhirah: certain punishment in Hell.
Parallel Verses in the Qur’an
- 6:157 – Condemns those who turn away after clear signs.
- 7:179 – Those with hearts, ears, and eyes but refusing to use them are “like cattle, even more astray.”
- 45:9 – Whoever hears Allah’s verses but persists arrogantly will face a humiliating punishment.
Relevant Hadith
Prophet ﷺ said:
- “The Qur’an is an argument either for you or against you.” (Muslim, 223) Those who reject its reminders after hearing it will have no excuse.
- Another hadith: “The one who turns away from my Sunnah is not from me.” (Bukhari, 5063; Muslim, 1401) Linking Qur’an and Sunnah as reminders of Allah.
Lessons & Relevance Today
- Ignoring the Qur’an is injustice to oneself → Reading without acting is a form of turning away.
- Modern “turning away” → Knowing Islamic rulings yet preferring worldly laws or desires.
- Selective obedience (following what suits us, ignoring the rest).
- Apathy towards prayer, Qur’an, and divine guidance.
- Warning against arrogance → Many know Islam is true but resist due to pride, traditions, or worldly power.
In short: 32:22 warns that the worst oppression is rejecting Allah’s message after receiving it. However, if they continue to turn away when they are reminded of God’s revelations and signs, and if they fail to return to the truth after their suffering in this present life, then they are confirmed wrongdoers: “Who does a greater wrong than one who is reminded [of the truth] by his Lord’s revelations but he, nevertheless, turns away from them?” In such a situation, they deserve strong retribution both in this life and in the life to come: “We shall certainly inflict Our retribution on the evildoers.” What a serious and fearful warning from God Almighty to those who deserve such punishment.
This applies not only to Quraysh, but also to Muslims today who knowingly neglect Allah’s commands and feel proud of claiming themselves to be atheists.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 32. As-Sajdah "The Prostration" already published.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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