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Decoding the Apparent Contradiction Between the Denial of the Prophet’s Rejection and the Affirmation of Denial of Divine Signs in Exegetical Discourse
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Reza Malazadeh Yamchi1   , Meysam Shoaib |
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Abstract: (7 Views) |
| Verse 33 of Surah An‘ām has long presented a prominent exegetical challenge due to its combination of the denial of the Prophet’s rejection “فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا یُکَذِّبُونَکَ” (fa-innahum la yukadhhiboonaka — “Indeed, they do not deny you”) and the affirmation of the opponents’ repudiation of God’s signs “وَلَکِنَّ الظَّالِمِینَ بِآیَاتِ اللَّهِ یَجْحَدُونَ” (wa lakinna al-zalimeena bi-ayati Allah yajhadoon — “but the wrongdoers deny the signs of Allah”). This study employs qualitative content analysis with a hermeneutic approach to interpretative views in order to decode this epistemic apparent contradiction and elucidate the exegetical strategies proposed to resolve it. The findings indicate that commentators have offered several interpretive solutions to reconcile these two statements, including: (1) distinguishing between inner belief and verbal denial (acknowledging the Prophet’s truth internally while denying it outwardly due to motives such as jealousy and self-interest); (2) differentiating the subject of denial (the person of the Prophet versus the content of his message); (3) interpreting the denial negation as the opponents’ inability to present proof; (4) employing an abbreviated reading of “فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا یُکَذِّبُونَکَ” as “unable to refute the truth”; and (5) attributing the Prophet’s denial to God’s denial. The key conclusion is that these strategies, especially the emphasis on the opponents’ inner affirmation and the reference of denial to God, not only decode the apparent contradiction but also best explain the psycho-social dimensions of denial and the divine consolatory wisdom within the verse. A comprehensive understanding of the verse requires an integrative view of these dimensions. |
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| Keywords: Verse 33 of Surah An‘ām, Exegetical Discourse, Apparent Contradiction, Denial Negation, Repudiation of Signs. |
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Full-Text [PDF 406 kb]
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/09/13 | Accepted: 2025/09/11 | Published: 2025/09/11
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