وَبَدَا لَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ 33
Translations
And the evil consequences of what they did will appear to them, and they will be enveloped by what they used to ridicule.
Transliteration
Wa bada lahum sayyiatu ma amilu wa haqa bihim ma kanu bihi yastahziun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when the evil deeds of the disbelievers will become manifest to them, and they will be punished by the very things they used to mock and ridicule. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi explain that 'bada lahum' (became apparent to them) refers to the sudden unveiling of their deeds' consequences, while 'haqa bihim' (encompassed them) emphasizes the inescapability of divine retribution. The ayah serves as a warning that mockery of divine signs and faith carries severe consequences in the afterlife.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Jathiyah, which addresses those who reject divine guidance and turn away from the Qur'an. The ayah specifically addresses the fate of those who mocked believers and divine signs during their worldly life, emphasizing that their mockery will return upon them on the Day of Judgment when they witness the reality of their own deeds.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever mocks a person for a sin he has committed will not die until he commits that sin himself' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim describes how people's deeds will be presented to them on the Day of Judgment, directly relating to the concept of 'bada lahum' in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Mockery of faith, believers, or divine signs is not a trivial matter—it will return upon those who engage in it with severe consequences. This ayah reminds us to guard our tongues and to take seriously the signs of Allah, for what we ridicule in this world will confront us on the Day of Judgment when all illusions are stripped away.