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
وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And warn them, [O Muḥammad], of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness, and they do not believe.
وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ كِسْفًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ سَاقِطًا يَقُولُوا۟ سَحَابٌ مَّرْكُومٌ
And if they were to see a fragment from the sky falling, they would say, "[It is merely] clouds heaped up."
وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَكُبَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِى ٱلنَّارِ هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And whoever comes with an evil deed - their faces will be overturned into the Fire, [and it will be said], "Are you recompensed except for what you used to do?"
خَافِضَةٌ رَّافِعَةٌ
It will bring down [some] and raise up [others].