ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَيْسَ بِظَلَّـٰمٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ 51
Translations
That is for what your hands have put forth [of evil] and because Allāh is not ever unjust to [His] servants."
Transliteration
Dhālika bimā qaddamat aydīkum wa anna allāha laysa biẓālimin lil-ʿabīd
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the misfortunes and trials befalling people are a direct consequence of their own deeds and actions, while emphasizing that Allah is never unjust to His servants. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a fundamental principle of divine justice: Allah does not punish anyone beyond what they deserve, nor does He punish the innocent for the sins of others. The ayah serves as a reminder that accountability rests upon individuals for their choices.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Anfal, which discusses the Battle of Badr and the distribution of spoils. The broader context addresses divine justice and the consequences of the disbelievers' rejection of faith and their enmity toward the Muslims. It reminds both believers and disbelievers that whatever befalls them is rooted in their own actions and decisions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) said: 'No soul dies except by Allah's permission at an appointed term' (Surah Al-Imran 3:145, Sahih Bukhari 4:55:608). Additionally, the hadith 'There is no disease that Allah has sent down except that He has sent down its cure' (Sahih Bukhari 7:71:646) reflects the principle that divine wisdom underlies all circumstances.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that we must take responsibility for our actions and understand that difficult circumstances are often connected to our choices, while simultaneously trusting in Allah's perfect justice and mercy. It encourages self-reflection and repentance, reminding us that Allah never wrongs His servants, only we wrong ourselves through disobedience.