لِّيَسْـَٔلَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ عَن صِدْقِهِمْ ۚ وَأَعَدَّ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا 8
Translations
That He may question the truthful about their truth. And He has prepared for the disbelievers a painful punishment.
Transliteration
Liyasalassadiqīna ʿan sidqihim, waʾaʿadda lilkāfirīna ʿadhāban alīmā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that Allah will question the truthful ones about their truthfulness on the Day of Judgment, examining the sincerity of their faith and deeds. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the 'Sadiqīn' (truthful ones) refers to those who truly fulfill their covenants with Allah and maintain consistency between their words and actions. In contrast, the ayah warns that disbelievers await a painful punishment, emphasizing the stark contrast between the accountability of the righteous and the fate of those who reject faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Ahzab (revealed in Madinah), which addresses various social, military, and spiritual matters of the Muslim community. The broader context of verses 8-11 discusses the covenant Allah made with the prophets and believers, setting the framework for accountability before Him. The mention of questioning the truthful reflects the comprehensive nature of divine justice on the Day of Resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi). This relates to the emphasis on truthfulness and fulfilling covenants. Additionally, 'Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise' (Sahih Bukhari 6094) directly supports the virtue emphasized in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah will scrutinize not merely external actions but the authenticity of our faith and adherence to our promises with Him. Let this inspire us to cultivate genuine truthfulness in both word and deed, and to maintain consistency between our inner convictions and outward behavior in all circumstances.
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?"
۞ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allāh, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allāh is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.
وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا۟ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ فَرِيقًا مِّنْ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].
وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍ تَنظُرُونَ
And you are at that time looking on -