وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ 85
Translations
And when those who wronged see the punishment, it will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved.
Transliteration
Wa-idha ra'a alladhina zhalamū al-'adhāba fa-lā yukhaffafu 'anhum wa-lā hum yundhharūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the state of the wrongdoers (those who rejected faith and committed injustice) when they witness the punishment in the Hereafter—their torment will not be lightened or reduced, nor will they be granted any respite or delay. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse demonstrates the absolute justice and finality of divine punishment, with no possibility of mitigation or postponement for those who deliberately rejected Allah's signs and oppressed others.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Nahl is a Meccan surah revealed during a period when the disbelievers of Mecca were rejecting the Prophet Muhammad's message. This ayah fits within the broader theme of the surah, which contrasts the blessings Allah grants with the ingratitude and oppression of those who reject Him. The verse serves as a stern warning to those who persist in wrongdoing despite clear signs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in a hadith: 'The most beloved of places to Allah are the mosques, and the most hated of places to Allah are the markets' (Sahih Muslim 671). More directly related: 'No one will enter Paradise except a believing soul' (Sahih Muslim 131), emphasizing that justice and accountability are paramount in the afterlife.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that oppression and rejection of truth will not go unpunished, and that divine justice is absolute and inescapable. It should inspire believers to uphold justice, avoid tyranny, and be grateful for Allah's guidance while there is still time for repentance in this life.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّا مُنزِلُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَهْلِ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ رِجْزًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْسُقُونَ
Indeed, we will bring down on the people of this city punishment from the sky because they have been defiantly disobedient."
مَّنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا
Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.
وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ذُو ٱلرَّحْمَةِ ۖ لَوْ يُؤَاخِذُهُم بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ لَعَجَّلَ لَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۚ بَل لَّهُم مَّوْعِدٌ لَّن يَجِدُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَوْئِلًا
And your Lord is the Forgiving, the possessor of mercy. If He were to impose blame upon them for what they earned, He would have hastened for them the punishment. Rather, for them is an appointment from which they will never find an escape.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ ءَامَنُوا۟ ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا۟ فَطُبِعَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ
That is because they believed, and then they disbelieved; so their hearts were sealed over, and they do not understand.