وَوَقَعَ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَيْهِم بِمَا ظَلَمُوا۟ فَهُمْ لَا يَنطِقُونَ 85
Translations
And the decree will befall them for the wrong they did, and they will not [be able to] speak.
Transliteration
Wa-waqaʿa al-qawlu ʿalayhim bi-mā ẓalamū fa-hum lā yanṭiqūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when the decree of punishment will be executed upon the wrongdoers, rendering them speechless and unable to defend themselves. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the silencing of the disbelievers reflects their complete humiliation and the futility of their arguments before Allah's justice—they will neither be able to speak in their own defense nor deny their transgressions. This silence emphasizes the certainty of divine justice and the powerlessness of those who rejected Allah's signs during their worldly life.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Naml (The Ant), a Meccan surah that extensively discusses scenes from the Day of Judgment and the fate of disbelievers. It fits within the broader context of verses 82-89 which depict various groups on the Day of Resurrection—their silencing illustrates the overwhelming reality of accountability when all excuses and arguments become meaningless before Allah.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of speechlessness on the Day of Judgment is a hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet ﷺ describes how people will wish to speak but will be prevented, emphasizing divine justice. Additionally, Surah Az-Zumar 39:60 mentions similar scenes where wrongdoers will be sealed with regret and unable to respond adequately.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that no injustice goes unaccounted for and that all wrongdoing will be confronted with absolute clarity on the Day of Judgment. It serves as a powerful deterrent against wrongdoing in this life, urging us to seek repentance and righteousness while we still have the opportunity to speak and act.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ سَلَـٰسِلَا۟ وَأَغْلَـٰلًا وَسَعِيرًا
Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains and shackles and a blaze.
وَلِكُلٍّ دَرَجَـٰتٌ مِّمَّا عَمِلُوا۟ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ
And for all are degrees [i.e., positions resulting] from what they have done. And your Lord is not unaware of what they do.
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَٰتًا فَأَحْيَـٰكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
How can you disbelieve in Allāh when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.
وَبَيْنَهُمَا حِجَابٌ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلْأَعْرَافِ رِجَالٌ يَعْرِفُونَ كُلًّۢا بِسِيمَىٰهُمْ ۚ وَنَادَوْا۟ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ أَن سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ لَمْ يَدْخُلُوهَا وَهُمْ يَطْمَعُونَ
And between them will be a partition [i.e., wall], and on [its] elevations are men who recognize all by their mark. And they call out to the companions of Paradise, "Peace be upon you." They have not [yet] entered it, but they long intensely.