The Holy Quran 8:23 — Surah Al-Anfal

Arabic text

وَلَوْ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًا لَّأَسْمَعَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ أَسْمَعَهُمْ لَتَوَلَّوا۟ وَّهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ

Translation

If Allaah knew of some (little) good in them (the Kuffaar), He would have definitely allowed them to hear (and accept the truth). If (assuming that) He had allowed them to hear (knowing that there is no good in them), they would certainly turn away, unwilling (to accept because they have lost their inner hearts which lead people to accept).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

These kafirs lack the capacity to accept the truth: that is, the fact is that these people have no root of good in them at all. For true good comes to a person when there is in his heart a sincere longing to seek the truth and a fitness to receive the light of guidance.

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