وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ وَرَآءَ ظَهْرِهِۦ 10
Translations
But as for he who is given his record behind his back,
Transliteration
Wa-amma man ootiya kitabahu wa raa'a zahrihi
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those who receive their book of deeds behind their backs on the Day of Judgment, symbolizing their rejection of faith and guidance in this life. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this represents the disbelievers whose records of evil deeds are given to them in a manner showing their shame and distance from Allah's mercy. The phrase 'behind their back' (wara'a zahrihi) indicates alienation and separation, as opposed to those given their books in their right hand, signifying acceptance and honor.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Inshiqaq, a Meccan chapter focused on the events of the Day of Judgment and the final reckoning. The broader context of verses 7-12 describes the division of souls: some assigned to angels of mercy and others to angels of punishment, illustrating the ultimate consequences of one's deeds in this life.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever is given his book (of deeds) in his right hand will have an easy reckoning' (Sahih Bukhari 3209). Additionally, 'As for he who is given his book behind his back, he will cry out for destruction' (Surah Al-Inshiqaq 84:12, with supporting narrations in Tafsir Ibn Kathir).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that all actions are recorded and will be presented before Allah, serving as motivation to live righteously and seek guidance. It emphasizes that turning away from divine truth in this life results in shame and distance from Allah's mercy on the Day of Judgment.
Related Ayahs
وَيَوْمَ يَقُولُ نَادُوا۟ شُرَكَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُمْ فَدَعَوْهُمْ فَلَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّوْبِقًا
And [warn of] the Day when He will say, "Call My 'partners' whom you claimed," and they will invoke them, but they will not respond to them. And We will put between them [a valley of] destruction.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ وَٱخْشَوْا۟ يَوْمًا لَّا يَجْزِى وَالِدٌ عَن وَلَدِهِۦ وَلَا مَوْلُودٌ هُوَ جَازٍ عَن وَالِدِهِۦ شَيْـًٔا ۚ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ ۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْغَرُورُ
O mankind, fear your Lord and fear a Day when no father will avail his son, nor will a son avail his father at all. Indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allāh by the Deceiver [i.e., Satan].
إِذِ ٱلْأَغْلَـٰلُ فِىٓ أَعْنَـٰقِهِمْ وَٱلسَّلَـٰسِلُ يُسْحَبُونَ
When the shackles are around their necks and the chains; they will be dragged
لِيَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
For a tremendous Day -