Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Those were the towns whose story We relate unto you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). And there came indeed to them their Messengers with clear proofs, but they were not such as to believe in that which they had rejected before. Thus Allâh does seal up the hearts of the disbelievers (from every kind of religious guidance).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
تِلْكَtil'kaThese
ٱلْقُرَىٰl-qurā(were) the cities
نَقُصُّnaquṣṣuWe relate
عَلَيْكَʿalaykato you
مِنْminof
أَنۢبَآئِهَا ۚanbāihātheir news
وَلَقَدْwalaqadAnd certainly
جَآءَتْهُمْjāathumcame to them
رُسُلُهُمrusuluhumtheir Messengers
بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِbil-bayinātiwith clear proofs
فَمَاfamābut not
كَانُوا۟kānūthey were
لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟liyu'minūto believe
بِمَاbimāin what
كَذَّبُوا۟kadhabūthey (had) denied
مِنminfrom
قَبْلُ ۚqablubefore
كَذَٰلِكَkadhālikaThus
يَطْبَعُyaṭbaʿu(has been) put a seal
ٱللَّهُl-lahu(by) Allah
عَلَىٰʿalāon
قُلُوبِqulūbi(the) hearts
ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَl-kāfirīna(of) the disbelievers
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 101) ➊ {تِلْكَالْقُرٰى … :} Here, {’’ الْقُرٰى ‘‘} refers to the towns of the previous five nations (the people of Nuh, ‘Ad, Thamud, the people of Lut, and the people of Shu‘ayb). The purpose of narrating some of their circumstances to you is so that the disbelievers of Makkah, who are opposing you just like the inhabitants of those towns, may take a lesson.
➋ {فَمَاكَانُوْالِيُؤْمِنُوْابِمَاكَذَّبُوْامِنْقَبْلُ:} That is, the reason for their not believing was not that their messengers did not have proofs of their truthfulness, or that those proofs were not so clear and evident as to convince them, but rather the cause was that their people had already decided beforehand that they would not accept. Now, if after having denied first, they were to believe, it would have harmed their false self-respect, as Allah Almighty has said: «{ وَاِذَاقِيْلَلَهُاتَّقِاللّٰهَاَخَذَتْهُالْعِزَّةُبِالْاِثْمِفَحَسْبُهٗجَهَنَّمُوَلَبِئْسَالْمِهَادُ }»[ البقرۃ : ۲۰۶ ] “And when it is said to him, ‘Fear Allah,’ pride in the sin seizes him. So Hell is sufficient for him, and surely it is an evil resting place.” This very sin (i.e., denying even after seeing the proofs and insisting upon it) became the cause for a seal upon their hearts. See Surah Al-An‘am (109, 110).
➌ {كَذٰلِكَيَطْبَعُاللّٰهُعَلٰىقُلُوْبِالْكٰفِرِيْنَ:} That is, just as the abilities of the hearts of the previous nations were taken away due to their stubbornness and obstinacy and they were not granted faith, similarly, their hearts have also been distorted and the capacity for faith no longer remains in them.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
1. Just as in the previous pages the mention of some prophets has passed. "Bayyinat" refers to both proofs and miracles. The purpose is that through the messengers, until We had completed the argument, We did not destroy them. Because until We send a messenger, We do not send down punishment. 11. 1 One meaning of this is that on the Day of Covenant, when the pledge was taken, they were not among those who would believe, as was in Allah's knowledge, so when the messengers came to them, according to Allah's knowledge, they did not believe, because faith was not written in their destiny, which Allah had written according to His knowledge. This is expressed in the hadith. The second meaning is that when the prophet came to them, they did not believe in him because they had already denied the truth before. It is as if the thing they denied in the beginning, this very sin became the cause of their disbelief, and the ability to believe was taken away from them. This is expressed in the next sentence as sealing. (وَمَايُشْعِرُكُمْ ۙ اَنَّهَآاِذَاجَاۗءَتْلَايُؤْمِنُوْنَ 19۔ وَنُقَلِّبُاَفْــــِٕدَتَهُمْوَاَبْصَارَهُمْكَمَالَمْيُؤْمِنُوْابِهٖٓاَوَّلَمَرَّةٍ) 6. Al-An'am:19) And what do you know, these are such (wretched) people that even if signs come to them, they will not believe, and We will turn their hearts and eyes (so) just as they did not believe in it (the Quran) the first time, (likewise, they will not believe again).
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
101. These are the towns [105] whose stories We have related to you. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they would not believe in what they had already denied before [106]. Thus Allah seals the hearts of the disbelievers.
[105] That is, the regions of the prophetic missions of Sayyiduna Nuh ؑ, Sayyiduna Hud ؑ, Sayyiduna Salih ؑ, Sayyiduna Lut ؑ, and Sayyiduna Shu'ayb ؑ. [106] When and How is a Seal Set Upon the Heart?
In this part of the verse, two things are mentioned: first, when and how is a seal set upon the heart? And second, in what sense is the act of sealing attributed to Allah? Allah Almighty says that a seal is set upon a person's heart in such a way that when he once denies or rejects something, and even if, after seeing a sign or being explained by someone, he comes to understand the truth, he persists in his previous denial merely because accepting it would hurt his ego. When a person reaches this state, he should understand that the time has come for Allah's seal to be set upon his heart, and henceforth he will no longer be capable of accepting the truth.
Why is the Act of Sealing Attributed to Allah Almighty?
The act of sealing is attributed to Allah Almighty because adopting the means is within a person's own control, and for this reason, he has been commanded to adopt the means, and the reward or punishment for his actions is also based on his adoption of the means. However, obtaining the results or consequences of these means is not within a person's control. These results, most of the time, do correspond to the means adopted, but sometimes they may turn out contrary to them. Therefore, the attribution of the results can be made both to the one who adopts the means and to Allah Almighty. And in the Quran, this attribution is used in both ways. In any case, even if this attribution is made to Allah Almighty, it is still understood that it is the result of the actions of the criminal who adopted such means. And in reality, the criminal is the one who adopted those means.