Why does the Quran describe some people as 'blind and deaf'?

The Holy Quran, in numerous verses, describes individuals who, despite possessing the physical senses of sight and hearing, are in reality incapable of perceiving truths and accepting divine guidance. This description of being 'blind and deaf' is not meant to imply a physical disability; rather, it is a profound and meaningful metaphor referring to the dullness and ineffectiveness of their inner, spiritual senses and hearts. These individuals, before the divine signs and verses, whether in the creation of the universe or in the revealed word, behave as if they are blind and deaf because they have deprived their hearts and intellects of understanding and accepting the truth. The Quran attributes this state to the individuals' own choices and actions; that is, they themselves, through arrogance, obstinacy, disbelief, and heedlessness, have created veils over their hearts and minds that prevent them from seeing and hearing the truth. It is crucial to clarify that Almighty Allah never forces anyone into misguidance against their will. In fact, this description of being 'blind and deaf' expresses the reality that when a person knowingly and arrogantly denies divine verses, closes their ears to the truth, and covers their eyes from the clear signs of God, Allah, due to this stubbornness and insistence on falsehood, casts a veil of heedlessness over their heart. This is a divine consequence, a logical outcome of the individual's own actions and choices. Such individuals intentionally pretend ignorance and denial to such an extent that even if they witness great miracles or hear the clearest truths, they still refuse to believe. Their hearts are sealed, their ears are heavy, and a veil covers their eyes. For instance, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 18, Allah says: "Summun bukmun 'umyun fahum la yarji'oon" which means, "Deaf, dumb, and blind – so they will not return [to the right path]." This verse clearly indicates that the inability to return to the right path is a result of this internal dullness. They cannot hear because they do not want to; they cannot see because they do not want to; and they cannot utter the truth because they do not believe in it. This state is pitiable and dangerous, depriving the individual of any guiding light. Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 179, a more striking description is provided: "Wa laqad dhara'na li jahannama kaseeran minal-jinni wal-insi lahum quloobun la yafqahoona biha wa lahum a'yunun la yubsiroona biha wa lahum aadhanun la yasma'oona biha oulaa'ika kal-an'aami bal hum adallu oulaa'ika humul-ghaafiloon" meaning, "And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. Those are the heedless." This verse clearly states that these individuals do not properly use their faculties of perception. The heart, eyes, and ears are tools for understanding and knowledge, but if they are not utilized or are used in the wrong direction, they become practically useless. Comparing them to livestock signifies humanity's fall from a state of dignity and intellect to a lower level, because livestock act on instinct and lack intellect and contemplation, whereas these humans, despite having intellect, fail to use it. The phrase "rather, they are more astray" emphasizes the severity of their condition, because an animal without intellect is not responsible for its actions, but a human with intellect who fails to use it is more responsible and more astray. This state of blindness and deafness not only causes problems in the Hereafter but also affects individuals' lives in this world. They are unable to distinguish between friend and foe, truth and falsehood, and good and evil. They become immersed in their illusions and lose the path to salvation. The Quran repeatedly points out that these individuals are those who, out of arrogance and stubbornness, have rejected the truth, and as a result of their choice, God has sealed the path of guidance for them. This description is a serious warning to all humanity to be careful not to fall into heedlessness and arrogance, and to always keep their hearts, eyes, and ears open to receive the light of truth. Ultimately, these verses teach us that guidance is a two-way process. Allah sends signs and messengers, but acceptance depends on a person's free will and readiness of heart. If a person themselves does not wish to see or hear, even with the clearest miracles, they will remain blind and deaf. This Quranic description, more than anything else, emphasizes human responsibility for their choices and their destiny. We are responsible for using the blessings of intellect, sight, and hearing in the way of knowing and worshipping God, lest we be counted among the 'blind and deaf' and be deprived of the light of guidance.