In Surah Al-Fatiha, the phrase “Maghdoobe-alaihim” is used to describe those who have earned the anger of Allah. This group of people has true knowledge but repeatedly rejects it. This verse has led to several questions about whether such people have a seal on their hearts, whether they are beyond help, and whether they include only certain groups of people, such as Jews, Christians, or even some Muslims. Let’s delve into the meanings behind these terms and provide clarity.
Who Are the “Maghdoobe-alaihim”?
The term “Maghdoobe-alaihim” refers to those who possess knowledge of the truth but deliberately reject it. These individuals knowingly deviate from the right path despite being aware of it. In this context, the people referred to are primarily the Jews, who had been granted true knowledge but abandoned it, refusing to follow the guidance of Allah. Imam Ibn Kathir, in his commentary on Surah Al-Fatiha, explains that the Jews are the group most associated with the term “those who have earned Your anger,” because they had the divine guidance but chose to disregard it.
In comparison, the Christians are described as those who were “led astray” due to their inability to find the truth, largely because they deviated from the correct sources of knowledge. Therefore, while the Jews earned Allah’s anger for rejecting the truth they knew, the Christians went astray due to misguided beliefs.
Do These People Have a Seal on Their Hearts?
The concept of a “seal on the heart” refers to a state where a person’s ability to comprehend or accept the truth is blocked. Allah mentions in the Quran that for those who persist in disbelief and rejection, He may place a seal on their hearts, making it difficult or impossible for them to understand the truth. This does not mean that such individuals are beyond all help, but it highlights the severity of their condition and their resistance to accepting the truth.
For those who are consistently rejecting the truth despite clear knowledge, it can be said that their hearts have been sealed in a way that prevents them from recognizing the right path. However, it’s important to note that not everyone who rejects the truth is beyond redemption. Allah is the ultimate judge, and He knows the state of every heart. Thus, even if someone’s heart is sealed, they are not necessarily beyond help.
Do “Maghdoobe-alaihim” Include All Jews or Only Those Who Reject the Truth?
The term “Maghdoobe-alaihim” applies specifically to those Jews (and others) who had the knowledge of the truth but chose to reject it. It does not apply to all Jews as a group, but rather to those who knowingly turned away from the guidance of Allah. It’s crucial to distinguish between those who received the truth and rejected it and those who did not have the opportunity or means to know it.
Can Hypocrites (Munafiqoon) and Muslims Who Reject the Truth Be Included?
The label of “Maghdoobe-alaihim” can also apply to hypocrites (munafiqoon), as they pretend to follow the truth outwardly but reject it inwardly. These individuals may possess the knowledge of the truth but choose to act contrary to it for personal gain or out of stubbornness. In the case of Muslims who know the truth but reject it, they can also fall under this category, as rejecting the truth after it has been made clear to them is a serious transgression.
How Can These People Have True Knowledge If Their Hearts Are Sealed?
Your question about how these individuals could possess true knowledge if their hearts are sealed is an important one. The truth is that having knowledge is not always the same as acting upon it. The people described in Surah Al-Fatiha may have had access to the truth and even acknowledged it at some point, but their rejection of that truth—whether out of pride, stubbornness, or other reasons—led to their hearts becoming sealed. Their inability to act upon the knowledge they had, or to understand the truth, stems from their continuous rejection.
Are They Cursed?
Yes, those who reject the truth after it has been made clear to them, as described in the Quran and Hadith, are indeed cursed. The curse refers to the distance they have created between themselves and the mercy of Allah through their refusal to accept the truth. However, it’s important to remember that this curse applies specifically to those who knowingly reject the truth and choose to remain in disbelief.
Conclusion
The term “Maghdoobe-alaihim” describes those who have the knowledge of the truth but persist in rejecting it, leading to the anger of Allah. This includes specific groups like the Jews who were given guidance but turned away from it, as well as hypocrites and Muslims who knowingly reject the truth. While some may have hearts sealed by their continuous rejection, they are not beyond redemption, and it is ultimately Allah’s mercy that prevails. We must strive to avoid the paths of those who knowingly deviate and instead seek the guidance of Allah in remaining firm on the right path.