فَذَرْهُمْ يَخُوضُوا۟ وَيَلْعَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُوا۟ يَوْمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ 42
Translations
So leave them to converse vainly and amuse themselves until they meet their Day which they are promised -
Transliteration
Fa-dharhum yakhooḍoo wa yalʿaboo ḥattā yulāqoo yawmahumu alladhī yūʿadoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to leave the disbelievers to their frivolous pursuits and amusements until they meet the Day of Judgment that has been promised to them. Ibn Kathir explains that this is a directive to abandon trying to force belief upon those who reject the message, as their ultimate accountability rests with Allah on the Day of Resurrection. Al-Tabari notes that the 'playing' and 'wading' (خَوْض) refers to their engagement in falsehood and denial, emphasizing that their temporary enjoyment will be met with inevitable divine justice.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Ma'arij, a Meccan chapter revealed during the early persecution of Muslims. The broader context addresses the disbelievers' mockery and rejection of the message of resurrection and the Day of Judgment. This ayah comes after descriptions of the Day of Judgment and serves to console the Prophet regarding the rejection he faced, instructing him to remain patient while Allah deals with the deniers.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Surah Al-Furqan 25:44, where disbelievers are compared to livestock. Additionally, Tirmidhi and others record hadiths about the Prophet's patience with rejection, such as his instruction to leave those who mock the message to Allah's judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that those who reject divine truth will ultimately face accountability before Allah, and believers should not despair at others' mockery or rejection—rather, place trust in Allah's ultimate justice. It also reminds us that worldly amusement and heedlessness are temporary, and the real reckoning awaits all people.
Related Ayahs
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ شَقُوا۟ فَفِى ٱلنَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ
As for those who were [destined to be] wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is [violent] exhaling and inhaling.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُوَلِّى بَعْضَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ بَعْضًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
And thus will We make some of the wrongdoers allies of others for what they used to earn.
قُلْ أَتُحَآجُّونَنَا فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ وَلَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُخْلِصُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Do you argue with us about Allāh while He is our Lord and your Lord? For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. And we are sincere [in deed and intention] to Him."
فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍۭ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ شَهِيدًا
So how [will it be] when We bring from every nation a witness and We bring you, [O Muḥammad], against these [people] as a witness?