وَلَا يَسْـَٔلُ حَمِيمٌ حَمِيمًا 10
Translations
And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend,
Transliteration
Wa lā yasʾalu ḥamīmun ḥamīmā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a scene from the Day of Judgment where close friends and loved ones will not ask about one another's welfare or condition. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this emphasizes the severity and terror of that Day when each soul will be preoccupied with its own fate, too overwhelmed by fear and concern for themselves to inquire after even their dearest companions. The ayah illustrates how the bonds of worldly affection will be rendered insignificant in the face of divine reckoning.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ma'arij, a Meccan surah that vividly describes the Day of Judgment and the events surrounding it. The surah paints a comprehensive picture of the Hereafter to motivate the Meccan listeners toward righteous conduct and belief in Allah's justice. This particular ayah comes within a series of descriptions showing how relationships and social bonds will dissolve on that Day.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, a man will flee from his brother, his mother, his father, his companion, and his children' (Sahih Al-Bukhari 4635). Additionally, the Prophet mentioned that on that Day, 'every soul will be concerned with itself' (Surah 'Abasa 80:37), related through various Quranic passages and their tafsir.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that our eternal salvation depends on our individual relationship with Allah and our deeds, not on our worldly connections. Muslims are encouraged to prepare for the Afterlife through righteous conduct now, recognizing that no one can intercede for us or bear our burden on that ultimate Day.