يَوْمَ يَفِرُّ ٱلْمَرْءُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ 34
Translations
On the Day a man will flee from his brother
Transliteration
Yawma yafarru al-marʾu min akhīhi
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when a person will flee from his brother, unable to help or support him due to the overwhelming terror and self-concern of that day. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that despite familial bonds in this life, on the Day of Resurrection each soul will be preoccupied with its own fate, and no one can intercede or assist another without Allah's permission. This depicts the complete severance of worldly relationships and the isolation each soul experiences before Allah's judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah 'Abasa, a Meccan surah that vividly describes the scenes of the Day of Judgment and the resurrection. It appears in a passage (verses 33-42) detailing various aspects of that Day, emphasizing the terror, separation, and helplessness people will experience when confronted with divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'On the Day of Judgment, a man will flee from his father, mother, and spouse, and his children, for everyone will be preoccupied with his own concern' (Sahih Bukhari 4770). Additionally, the Quran states 'The Day when no soul will avail another in the least' (82:19), emphasizing the theme of isolation on that Day.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that worldly relationships, though important in this life, offer no benefit on the Day of Judgment, motivating us to prioritize our relationship with Allah and prepare our souls through righteous deeds rather than relying on family connections for salvation.
Related Ayahs
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُو قَالَ أَكَذَّبْتُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِى وَلَمْ تُحِيطُوا۟ بِهَا عِلْمًا أَمَّاذَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
Until, when they arrive [at the place of Judgement], He will say, "Did you deny My signs while you encompassed them not in knowledge, or what [was it that] you were doing?"
وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And warn them, [O Muḥammad], of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness, and they do not believe.
وَجِا۟ىٓءَ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بِجَهَنَّمَ ۚ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَذَكَّرُ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ
And brought [within view], that Day, is Hell - that Day, man will remember, but how [i.e., what good] to him will be the remembrance?
يَوْمَ نَطْوِى ٱلسَّمَآءَ كَطَىِّ ٱلسِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأْنَآ أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُۥ ۚ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَآ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ
The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.