Transliteration:( Wa in tad'oohum ilal hudaa laa yasma'oo wa taraahum yanzuroona ilaika wa hum laa yubsiroon )
And if you call them towards guidance, they do not hear; and you see them looking at you, yet they do not see [453].
This verse highlights the illusion of perception in idols. Though their eyes appear open, giving the impression that they are looking, in reality they are lifeless stones—incapable of seeing or hearing. They do not hear the call to guidance, nor can they respond or comprehend.
The great Sufi scholars interpret this deeper: even disbelievers who physically saw the Prophets did not truly see them, because they only saw the human form, not the divine light of prophethood. In contrast, the true Companions were those who recognized the inner reality of the Prophet ﷺ. Some of them were physically blind, yet possessed inner sight that made them true believers.
One pious person once said, “Whoever the Prophet ﷺ has seen will enter Paradise.” When questioned how this could be, since Abu Jahl also saw the Prophet ﷺ, he replied, “Abu Jahl saw Muhammad bin Abdullah, not Muhammadur Rasoolullah ﷺ.” He then recited this very verse, showing that true vision lies in spiritual recognition, not mere physical sight.
The tafsir of Surah Al-A’raf verse 198 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah A’raf ayat 191 which provides the complete commentary from verse 191 through 198.
(7:198) And if you were to call them to true guidance, they will not hear; and you observe them looking at you whereas they have no power to see.’
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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