يُنَبَّؤُا۟ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بِمَا قَدَّمَ وَأَخَّرَ 13
Translations
Man will be informed that Day of what he sent ahead and kept back.
Transliteration
Yunabbao al-insanu yawmaidhin bima qaddama wa-akhkhara
Tafsir (Explanation)
On the Day of Resurrection, every human being will be informed of all their deeds—both those they sent forward (righteous acts) and those they postponed or neglected. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's complete knowledge and perfect justice, wherein nothing is hidden from Him, and each soul will witness the comprehensive record of its actions. This ayah emphasizes divine omniscience and the inescapable accountability of every deed, whether committed or delayed.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Qiyamah, a Meccan chapter that focuses on the certainty of the Day of Judgment and resurrection. It is part of a broader thematic section (verses 1-15) that describes the Day of Resurrection and the soul's reckoning. The surah addresses the Meccan deniers' skepticism about the afterlife by presenting vivid descriptions of Qiyamah (the Resurrection) and humanity's accountability before Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Each of you will be gathered [before Allah] on the Day of Resurrection on the same bed [i.e., condition] as he was born' (Sahih Bukhari 6395), emphasizing personal accountability. Additionally, 'Every soul will know what it has sent forward and kept back' (Quran 82:5) conveys the same theme of complete knowledge of deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that no action escapes Allah's knowledge, and believers should be mindful of both the good they actively do and the opportunities for good they may neglect. Understanding that we will be held accountable for deeds performed and chances missed should motivate believers toward consistent righteous action and repentance.