وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ 84
Translations
And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect from every nation a witness [i.e., their prophet]. Then it will not be permitted to the disbelievers [to apologize or make excuses], nor will they be asked to appease [Allāh].
Transliteration
Wa-yawma nab'athu min kulli ummatin shahīdan thumma lā yu'dhanu lilladhīna kafarū wa-lā hum yusta'tabūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when Allah will raise from every nation a witness (shahīd) to testify against or for its people regarding their deeds. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret the shahīd as the Prophet of that nation or righteous scholars who witnessed the people's actions. The verse emphasizes that the disbelievers will be denied any excuse, intercession, or opportunity for repentance (isti'tab) on that day, as their denial and rejection during their lifetime has sealed their fate.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period (Surah An-Nahl), addressing the certainty of the Day of Judgment and divine justice. It forms part of the surah's broader theme of signs of Allah's creation and the accountability of all nations. The context follows discussions of prophetic missions and warnings sent to various peoples throughout history.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Every prophet will be a witness for his nation, and you will be a witness for your nation' (Sahih Muslim 1948). Also relevant: 'On the Day of Judgment, the Prophets will intercede, then the angels, then the believers' (Sunan Ibn Majah 194), illustrating the hierarchy of testimony and intercession.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that every action and rejection is witnessed and recorded, and that the Day of Judgment will be one of perfect justice with no opportunity for excuses or false claims. It should motivate conscious living, sincere belief, and obedience to divine guidance while the opportunity exists in this world.
Related Ayahs
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُم مَّن قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ قُضِىَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ ٱلْمُبْطِلُونَ
And We have already sent messengers before you. Among them are those [whose stories] We have related to you, and among them are those [whose stories] We have not related to you. And it was not for any messenger to bring a sign [or verse] except by permission of Allāh. So when the command of Allāh comes, it will be concluded [i.e., judged] in truth, and the falsifiers will thereupon lose [all].
وَلَا يُؤْذَنُ لَهُمْ فَيَعْتَذِرُونَ
Nor will it be permitted for them to make an excuse.
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ زُلْفَةً سِيٓـَٔتْ وُجُوهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقِيلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَدَّعُونَ
But when they see it approaching, the faces of those who disbelieve will be distressed, and it will be said, "This is that for which you used to call."
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ لَا يَضُرُّكُم مَّن ضَلَّ إِذَا ٱهْتَدَيْتُمْ ۚ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
O you who have believed, upon you is [responsibility for] yourselves. Those who have gone astray will not harm you when you have been guided. To Allāh is your return all together; then He will inform you of what you used to do.