لِيَمِيزَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخَبِيثَ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبِ وَيَجْعَلَ ٱلْخَبِيثَ بَعْضَهُۥ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فَيَرْكُمَهُۥ جَمِيعًا فَيَجْعَلَهُۥ فِى جَهَنَّمَ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰسِرُونَ 37
Translations
[It is] so that Allāh may distinguish the wicked from the good and place the wicked some of them upon others and heap them all together and put them into Hell. It is those who are the losers.
Transliteration
Liyamīza Allāhu al-khabītha mina al-ṭayyibi wa-yajʿala al-khabītha baʿḍuhu ʿalā baʿḍin fa-yarkumuhu jamīʿan fa-yajʿaluhu fī jahannam. Ulāʾika hum al-khāsirūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah will separate the wicked (al-khabīth) from the righteous (al-ṭayyib), gathering the wicked upon one another and casting them all into Hell. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir interpret 'al-khabīth' as the disbelievers and 'al-ṭayyib' as the believers, emphasizing that this separation occurs both in this world through faith and works, and ultimately in the Hereafter through divine judgment. The metaphor of stacking the wicked reflects the comprehensive nature of their punishment and their complete loss.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Anfal, revealed in Medina following the Battle of Badr. It forms part of a broader passage discussing the outcomes of believers versus disbelievers in conflict, emphasizing how Allah distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked through trials and ultimate judgment.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Hadith Qudsi in Sahih Muslim where Allah states He will separate the righteous from the wicked on the Day of Judgment. Additionally, the theme of separation is reflected in Surah Al-Hajj 22:25 and the broader eschatological teachings about gathering (hashr) in the Hereafter found throughout hadith collections.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's judgment ultimately distinguishes between the righteous and wicked, and that true loss (khusrān) belongs to those who reject faith; therefore, believers should remain steadfast in righteousness knowing that Allah sees all and will judge with perfect justice.