Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AL KAHFI [57]

57. And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Ayat (signs) of his Lord, but turns away from them, forgetting what his hands have sent forth. Truly, We have set over their hearts Akinnah, lest they should understand this (the Qur'an), and in their ears, deafness. And if you call them to guidance, even then they will never be guided. 58. And your Lord is Most Forgiving, Owner of mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, then surely, He would have hastened their punishment. But they have their appointed time, beyond which they will find no escape. 59. And these towns, We destroyed them when they did wrong. And We appointed a fixed time for their destruction. Allah says, `Who among My creatures does more wrong than one who is reminded of the signs of Allah then turns away from them,' i.e., ignores them and does not listen or pay attention to them.

(forgetting what his hands have sent forth.) means, bad deeds and evil actions.

(Truly, We have set over their hearts) means, the hearts of these people,

(Akinnah) means, coverings.

(lest they should understand this,) means, so that they will not understand this Qur'an and its clear Message

(and in their ears, deafness.) means that they will be deaf in an abstract way, to guidance.

(And if you call them to guidance, even then they will never be guided.)

(And your Lord is Most Forgiving, Owner of mercy.) means, `your Lord, O Muhammad, is forgiving and has great mercy.'

(Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, then surely, He would have hastened their punishment.) This is like the Ayah:

(And if Allah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving creature on the surface of the earth.) ï´¿35:45ï´¾

(But verily, your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind in spite of their wrongdoing. And verily, your Lord is (also) severe in punishment) ï´¿13:6ï´¾. And there are many Ayat which say the same thing. Then Allah tells us that He is patient, He conceals faults and forgives sins. He may guide some of them from wrongdoing to true guidance, and whoever continues in his evil ways, then there will come to him a Day when infants will turn grey and every pregnant female will shed her load. He says:

(But they have their appointed time, beyond which they will find no escape.) meaning, they will find no way out.

(And these towns, We destroyed them when they did wrong.) This refers to earlier nations in times past; `We destroyed them because of their stubborn disbelief.'

(And We appointed a fixed time for their destruction.) `We appointed for them a set time limit, not to be increased or decreased. The same applies to you, O ido- lators, so beware or what happened to them will happen to you too, for you have rejected the noblest Messenger and greatest Prophet, and you are not dearer to Us than them, so fear My punishment and wrath.'