وَصَـٰحِبَتِهِۦ وَأَخِيهِ 12
Translations
And his wife and his brother
Transliteration
wa-sāhibatih wa-akhīh
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase refers to a person's companion (wife) and brother, mentioned in the context of those who will not be able to help on the Day of Judgment. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes that despite the closeness of familial and spousal relationships in this life, no one will be able to assist another on the Day of Resurrection—each soul will be preoccupied with its own reckoning. The mention of these specific relationships illustrates that even the dearest bonds cannot intercede or provide refuge when facing Allah's justice.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Ma'arij (Meccan chapter), which describes the Day of Judgment and the conditions of that day. The broader context (verses 10-18) lists categories of people and relationships that will not benefit on that Day, serving as a stark reminder to the Meccan disbelievers of the reality of the Afterlife and the accountability each person must face individually.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, a man will flee from his brother, his mother, his father, and his wife and children' (Sahih Bukhari 6563). This directly parallels the ayah's message about the separation of loved ones.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that while family and marital bonds are sacred in this life, they offer no protection in the Afterlife; therefore, one must prioritize righteous deeds and God-consciousness in preparation for the Day of Judgment rather than relying on worldly connections.
Related Ayahs
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا جَرَحْتُم بِٱلنَّهَارِ ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُكُمْ فِيهِ لِيُقْضَىٰٓ أَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And it is He who takes your souls by night and knows what you have committed by day. Then He revives you therein [i.e., by day] that a specified term may be fulfilled. Then to Him will be your return; then He will inform you about what you used to do.
فَأَمَّا مَن ثَقُلَتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ
Then as for one whose scales are heavy [with good deeds],
وَقَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلتَّنَاوُشُ مِن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ
And they will [then] say, "We believe in it!" But how for them will be the taking [of faith] from a place far away?
وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَكُبَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِى ٱلنَّارِ هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And whoever comes with an evil deed - their faces will be overturned into the Fire, [and it will be said], "Are you recompensed except for what you used to do?"