This verse speaks about a particular category of people whom God knows will always reject the message. They are contrasted with those (described in the preceding verses, [2:2-5](https://quran.com/2:2-5)) who recognize the truth of the Quran - which is beyond all doubt - and follow its guidance. However, as this verse highlights, some people will fail to benefit from that guidance, not because of any deficiency therein, but because of their own state of heart, which means they will fulfil their destiny as disbelievers. In this way, each person is called to ask themselves whether they are using their free will and divinely gifted intellect to follow the truth, and live and die as believers.


Does this verse imply that there is no point in calling non-believers to Islam?

This verse complements others that emphasise spreading the message, reminding the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and us that some people will fail to accept it.

Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

1. Leaders of the disbelieving factions. [Abū al-ʿĀliyah]
2. Abū Jahl and five members of his household. [al-Ḍaḥḥāk]
3. A group of Jews, among them Ḥuyayy ibn Akhṭab. [Ibn al-Sāʾib]
4. The idolaters of the Arabs, such as Abū Jahl, Abū Ṭālib, Abū Lahab, and others among those who did not accept Islām.