هَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبُنَا يَنطِقُ عَلَيْكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا نَسْتَنسِخُ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ 29
Translations
This, Our record, speaks about you in truth. Indeed, We were having transcribed whatever you used to do."
Transliteration
Hatha kitabuna yantiqu alaikum bil-haqq. Inna kunna nastanskhu ma kuntum taAAmalun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Book of Deeds (Kitab al-A'mal) that will be presented to each person on the Day of Judgment, speaking truthfully about all their actions in life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that Allah has recorded every deed, and this divine record will testify against or for a person, as it contains an accurate account of everything they did. The verb 'yantiqu' (speaks/testifies) emphasizes the vivid reality of this confrontation with one's own deeds on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Jathiyah's discussion of the Day of Judgment and resurrection. It comes toward the end of the surah where Allah describes the scenes and realities of the Hereafter. The passage emphasizes that deeds are meticulously recorded by Allah throughout one's lifetime, and each person will witness their own record on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, a man's deeds will be presented to him and he will recognize them.' (Related to the theme of deed-witnessing) Also relevant is the hadith: 'There is no soul that does not have a noble angel and an ignoble devil recording its deeds' (Sahih Muslim), highlighting the constant recording of actions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah should inspire believers to be conscious of their actions in all moments, knowing that Allah is aware of everything they do and that they will face their complete record of deeds. It serves as a powerful reminder that true accountability is inevitable, encouraging mindful living and sincere repentance.
Related Ayahs
وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔازِفَةِ إِذِ ٱلْقُلُوبُ لَدَى ٱلْحَنَاجِرِ كَـٰظِمِينَ ۚ مَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ حَمِيمٍ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ يُطَاعُ
And warn them, [O Muḥammad], of the Approaching Day, when hearts are at the throats, filled [with distress]. For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor [who is] obeyed.
۞ هَيْهَاتَ هَيْهَاتَ لِمَا تُوعَدُونَ
How far, how far, is that which you are promised.
أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَـٰحَسْرَتَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِى جَنۢبِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ ٱلسَّـٰخِرِينَ
Lest a soul should say, "Oh, [how great is] my regret over what I neglected in regard to Allāh and that I was among the mockers."
وَأَنذِرِ ٱلنَّاسَ يَوْمَ يَأْتِيهِمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ فَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَخِّرْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ نُّجِبْ دَعْوَتَكَ وَنَتَّبِعِ ٱلرُّسُلَ ۗ أَوَلَمْ تَكُونُوٓا۟ أَقْسَمْتُم مِّن قَبْلُ مَا لَكُم مِّن زَوَالٍ
And, [O Muḥammad], warn the people of a Day when the punishment will come to them and those who did wrong will say, "Our Lord, delay us for a short term; we will answer Your call and follow the messengers." [But it will be said], "Had you not sworn, before, that for you there would be no cessation?