وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا ثَلَـٰثَةً 7
Translations
And you become [of] three kinds:
Transliteration
Wa kuntum azwājan thalāthah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the three categories of people on the Day of Judgment: the companions of the right hand (al-maymunah), the companions of the left hand (al-mashāmah), and the foremost ones (as-sābiqūn). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Allah is addressing humanity about how they will be divided into these three distinct groups based on their deeds and faith, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of divine justice on the Day of Resurrection.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Al-Waqi'ah, a Meccan surah that vividly describes the events and realities of the Day of Judgment. The broader context (verses 1-56) presents a detailed account of the Resurrection and the fate of different categories of people, serving as a warning and reminder to the Quraysh and all humanity of the inevitable meeting with Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are the foremost ones (as-sābiqūn)' - related to the theme of the three groups mentioned in this ayah. Additionally, Hadith Qudsi in Sahih Muslim describes Allah's division of people on the Day of Judgment based on their deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that their actions in this life will determine their eternal status in the Hereafter, motivating them to strive to be among the foremost in faith and good deeds. It also emphasizes that divine justice is absolute and comprehensive, leaving no room for doubt that each person will receive exactly what they deserve.
Related Ayahs
وَلَا يُوثِقُ وَثَاقَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ
And none will bind [as severely] as His binding [of the evildoers].
وَأَنذِرِ ٱلنَّاسَ يَوْمَ يَأْتِيهِمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ فَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَخِّرْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ نُّجِبْ دَعْوَتَكَ وَنَتَّبِعِ ٱلرُّسُلَ ۗ أَوَلَمْ تَكُونُوٓا۟ أَقْسَمْتُم مِّن قَبْلُ مَا لَكُم مِّن زَوَالٍ
And, [O Muḥammad], warn the people of a Day when the punishment will come to them and those who did wrong will say, "Our Lord, delay us for a short term; we will answer Your call and follow the messengers." [But it will be said], "Had you not sworn, before, that for you there would be no cessation?
وَيَوْمَ يَقُولُ نَادُوا۟ شُرَكَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُمْ فَدَعَوْهُمْ فَلَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّوْبِقًا
And [warn of] the Day when He will say, "Call My 'partners' whom you claimed," and they will invoke them, but they will not respond to them. And We will put between them [a valley of] destruction.
وَٱسْتَمِعْ يَوْمَ يُنَادِ ٱلْمُنَادِ مِن مَّكَانٍ قَرِيبٍ
And listen on the Day when the Caller will call out from a place that is near -