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
وَلَا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِمَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُۥ ۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فُزِّعَ عَن قُلُوبِهِمْ قَالُوا۟ مَاذَا قَالَ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَقَّ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْكَبِيرُ
And intercession does not benefit with Him except for one whom He permits. [And those wait] until, when terror is removed from their hearts, they will say [to one another], "What has your Lord said?" They will say, "The truth." And He is the Most High, the Grand.
فَذَرْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُوا۟ يَوْمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ يُصْعَقُونَ
So leave them until they meet their Day in which they will be struck insensible -
فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن يَوْمِهِمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ
And woe to those who have disbelieved from their Day which they are promised.
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"