كَلَّآ إِنَّ كِتَـٰبَ ٱلْفُجَّارِ لَفِى سِجِّينٍ 7
Translations
No! Indeed, the record of the wicked is in sijjeen.
Transliteration
Kallā inna kitāba al-fujjāri lafī sijjīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphatically refutes the disbelievers' false assumption that their deeds go unrecorded, declaring that the book of the wicked (fujjār) is indeed preserved in Sijjīn—a place of disgrace in the lowest reaches of the earth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret Sijjīn as the register of the damned, emphasizing that Allah's perfect record-keeping ensures no evil deed escapes His knowledge, serving as a stark warning to those who commit fraud and injustice.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the middle section of Surah Al-Mutaffifin, which addresses those who defraud in weights and measures. The broader context contrasts the fate of the wicked (fujjār) with the righteous (abrār), establishing that deeds are meticulously recorded and will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those of the best character' (Tirmidhi), relating to the contrast between the defrauders and the righteous. Additionally, hadiths about the recording angels (kirāman kātibīn) in Sahih Bukhari reinforce that all deeds are being documented.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that no wrongdoing, however hidden it may seem, escapes Allah's awareness and perfect record-keeping. It serves as a powerful deterrent against dishonesty and injustice, encouraging believers to conduct their affairs with integrity, knowing they will answer for their deeds before Allah.
Related Ayahs
قُل لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يَغْفِرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ أَيَّامَ ٱللَّهِ لِيَجْزِىَ قَوْمًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], to those who have believed that they [should] forgive those who expect not the days of Allāh [i.e., of His retribution] so that He may recompense a people for what they used to earn.
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَـٰذَا ۚ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَـٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, "Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say, "Yes, but the word [i.e., decree] of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers."
ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْعَلُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ ۚ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
Who make [equal] with Allāh another deity. But they are going to know.
فَٱطَّلَعَ فَرَءَاهُ فِى سَوَآءِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
And he will look and see him in the midst of the Hellfire.