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yaʿrifūna niʿmata llāhi thumma yunkirūnahā wa-ʾaktharuhumu l-kāfirūna
They recognize the blessing of Allah and then deny it, and most of them are faithless.
— Ali Quli Qarai
16An-NaḥlالنحلVerse 83 of 128
The Bee16. An-Naḥlالنحل
Al Naḥl
The Bee
MeccanVerse 83 of 128
Surah An-Nahl – Verse 83
83. “They recognize the blessing of Allah, then they deny it, and most of them are ungrateful.”
To complete the discussion, the Holy Qur’an asserts that they know the blessings of Allah and are familiar with their dimensions while delving into their depth. Nevertheless, they deny them. The verse says:
“They recognize the blessing of Allah, then they deny it…”
Therefore, one must not be on the look out for the reason of this paganism in their lack of awareness. On the contrary, one must be searching this factor of paganism in their other vicious attributes which have obstructed them in their pursuit of faith, which comprise their selfishness and in their hostile attitude towards religion. It is perhaps for this reason that He concludes the verse by saying:
“…and most of them are ungrateful.”
The Qur’an has repeatedly raised the issue of the deliberate and obstinate denial of the disbelievers. At times it says:
“And they denied them unjustly and proudly while their souls had been convinced with them…” 1
At other times, it says:
“…they recognize him (the Prophet) as they recognize their sons…” 2
At other times, He says:
“…but a group of them most surely conceal the truth while they know (it)…” 3
And, Finally, He declares:
“…when there came to them that which they recognized (to be Truth), they disbelieved in it…” 4
Imam Sadiq (as) remarks:
Once: Ali-Ibn-Abi-Talib (as) was in the stage of bowing in his prayer rituals in the Prophet’s mosque, when he offered his ring to a poor man, upon which occasion the 55th verse of Surah Al-Ma’idah was revealed indicating that your guardians are Allah, the Prophet, and he who spends out while bowing in his prayer rituals. 5
Some found out about their guardian yet rejected him. Then, this verse was revealed saying:
“They recognize the blessing of Allah, then they deny it…”
Imam Sadiq (as) has said:
“Swearing to Allah, we are the blessings which Allah has accorded His servants, and only under the auspices of us the people will be salvaged.” 6
Footnotes