۞ وَإِذَا صُرِفَتْ أَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ تِلْقَآءَ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 47
Translations
And when their eyes are turned toward the companions of the Fire, they say, "Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people."
Transliteration
Wa-idha surrifat absaruhum tilqaa ashaab an-naar qaaloo Rabbana la taj'alna ma'a al-qawm adh-dhaalimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the inhabitants of Al-A'raf (the Heights) who witness the people of Hell and immediately supplicate to Allah, fearing they may be among the wrongdoers. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, these are souls in an intermediate state between Paradise and Hell, observing both realms and recognizing the dire fate of the transgressors. Their prayer reflects profound concern for salvation and serves as a reminder that witnessing the consequences of injustice and disbelief should inspire believers to seek Allah's protection from similar fates.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader Meccan narrative in Surah Al-A'raf (verses 46-48) describing the Day of Judgment and the states of different groups of people. The surah contextually addresses the division between believers and disbelievers, with this particular passage depicting those on Al-A'raf observing both the blessed and the punished, emphasizing the reality of divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The hadith reported by Muslim regarding the people of Al-A'raf states: 'There will be people on Al-A'raf who will recognize people of Paradise by their marks and people of Hell by their marks.' Additionally, numerous hadiths in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim emphasize seeking Allah's protection from the Fire, reflecting the supplication in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to maintain constant vigilance against injustice and to regularly seek Allah's protection from misguidance and punishment through sincere supplication. It reminds us that awareness of divine accountability should motivate righteous action and humble reliance upon Allah's mercy.
Related Ayahs
تِلْكَ إِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيزَىٰٓ
That, then, is an unjust division.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
But the ones who disbelieved and denied Our verses - those are the companions of the Fire, abiding eternally therein; and wretched is the destination.
قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا مَن قَدَّمَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا فَزِدْهُ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا فِى ٱلنَّارِ
They will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase for him double punishment in the Fire."
وَأَنِ ٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ وَٱحْذَرْهُمْ أَن يَفْتِنُوكَ عَنۢ بَعْضِ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُصِيبَهُم بِبَعْضِ ذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَفَـٰسِقُونَ
And judge, [O Muḥammad], between them by what Allāh has revealed and do not follow their inclinations and beware of them, lest they tempt you away from some of what Allāh has revealed to you. And if they turn away - then know that Allāh only intends to afflict them with some of their [own] sins. And indeed, many among the people are defiantly disobedient.