وَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّآ أَطَعْنَا سَادَتَنَا وَكُبَرَآءَنَا فَأَضَلُّونَا ٱلسَّبِيلَا۠ 67
Translations
And they will say, "Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our masters and our dignitaries, and they led us astray from the [right] way.
Transliteration
Wa qaalū rabbana innā ata'nā sādatanā wa kubarā'anā fa-aḍallūna al-sabīla
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts the words of the inhabitants of Hell on the Day of Judgment, where they attempt to shift blame for their misguidance to their leaders and elders, saying: 'Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our masters and our great ones, and they led us astray from the way.' According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, while this statement contains partial truth about following leaders into misguidance, it does not absolve the followers of personal responsibility, as each soul remains accountable before Allah for its choices and actions. Al-Tabari emphasizes that this excuse will be rejected because individuals possess intellect and the ability to discern truth from falsehood.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Ahzab (33), a Medinan surah that addresses various social, military, and spiritual matters of the Muslim community. It comes within a broader passage (33:66-68) describing scenes of the Day of Judgment, illustrating the dialogue between the condemned and Allah regarding their accountability. The context addresses the general human tendency to follow leaders blindly, a concern relevant to the developing Islamic community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Each of you is a shepherd and each of you will be questioned about his flock' (Sahih Bukhari 893), emphasizing that leaders bear responsibility. Additionally, the hadith 'There is no obedience to creation in disobedience to the Creator' (Ahmad, An-Nasa'i) establishes that blind following of leaders in sin is impermissible.
Themes
Key Lesson
While we may be influenced by those around us, each individual bears direct responsibility before Allah for their beliefs and actions; claiming ignorance or blaming leaders will not be accepted as an excuse on the Day of Judgment. This teaches believers to independently seek truth, exercise critical thinking, and never blindly follow anyone—even respected figures—in matters that contradict Islamic guidance.
Related Ayahs
وَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَدَعْ أَذَىٰهُمْ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا
And do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites and disregard their annoyance, and rely upon Allāh. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا
O you who have believed, remember Allāh with much remembrance
ٱدْعُوهُمْ لِـَٔابَآئِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ ءَابَآءَهُمْ فَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَمَوَٰلِيكُمْ ۚ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَآ أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allāh. But if you do not know their fathers - then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
وَأَوْرَثَكُمْ أَرْضَهُمْ وَدِيَـٰرَهُمْ وَأَمْوَٰلَهُمْ وَأَرْضًا لَّمْ تَطَـُٔوهَا ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرًا
And He caused you to inherit their land and their homes and their properties and a land which you have not trodden. And ever is Allāh, over all things, competent.