قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلُ رَبَّنَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أَغْوَيْنَآ أَغْوَيْنَـٰهُمْ كَمَا غَوَيْنَا ۖ تَبَرَّأْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ۖ مَا كَانُوٓا۟ إِيَّانَا يَعْبُدُونَ 63
Translations
Those upon whom the word will have come into effect will say, "Our Lord, these are the ones we led to error. We led them to error just as we were in error. We declare our disassociation [from them] to You. They did not used to worship [i.e., obey] us."
Transliteration
Qala alladhina haqqa alayhimu alqawlu rabbana haula alladhina aghwaynahum aghwaynahum kama ghawyna tabarra'na ilayka ma kanu iyyyana ya'budun
Tafsir (Explanation)
On the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers and those who led others astray will attempt to shift blame by saying, 'Our Lord, these people misled us, so we misled them in return,' and they will disavow any true worship directed toward them. Ibn Kathir explains that this represents the mutual accusations and blame-shifting between leaders and followers in Hell, each trying to escape responsibility for their disbelief. Al-Qurtubi notes that this ayah demonstrates how the arrogant leaders will deny that they sought or desired worship from others, though their actions and pride clearly invited such veneration.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Qasas (The Stories), a Meccan surah that repeatedly emphasizes themes of divine guidance and misguidance through historical narratives. This specific verse is part of the eschatological scene describing the Day of Judgment, where the consequences of disbelief and leading others astray are fully manifested. It serves as a powerful warning against following those who reject Allah's signs.
Related Hadiths
The concept is related to a hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet ﷺ said, 'Every one of you is a shepherd and will be asked about his flock,' emphasizing that leaders bear responsibility for those they guide. Additionally, hadiths about the Day of Judgment in Sahih Bukhari describe how followers will blame their leaders and leaders will attempt to deny their influence.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that neither leaders nor followers can escape accountability for their choices on the Day of Judgment—each person bears responsibility for their own faith and actions. It serves as a reminder that blindly following others in disbelief offers no excuse, and leaders who deliberately lead others astray face severe consequences.