أَبْصَـٰرُهَا خَـٰشِعَةٌ 9
Translations
Their eyes humbled.
Transliteration
Absaaruhaa khashi'ah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the state of the eyes of the people on the Day of Judgment, humbled and downcast with fear and awe before Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'khashi'ah' (humbled/downcast) refers to the eyes being lowered in shame, fear, and submission as people face the reality of their deeds. This depicts the spiritual and psychological state of those awaiting divine judgment, their vision dimmed by the overwhelming consciousness of standing before their Creator.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nazi'at's vivid eschatological description of the Day of Resurrection. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period to warn the disbelievers about the reality of the Hereafter and to strengthen the believers' conviction in the Last Day. This specific verse is situated within the passage describing the physical and spiritual transformation of creation when the trumpet is blown.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, the sun will be brought close to the people's heads, and they will sweat according to their deeds.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2422) This complements the description of people's state and their humiliation on that Day.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that awareness of standing before Allah should cultivate humility and conscious God-fearing in our hearts today, guiding us toward righteous conduct. Reflecting on our ultimate accountability encourages us to lower our gaze from unlawful things and maintain dignity through obedience to Allah's commands.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And you will not be recompensed except for what you used to do -
رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلْحِسَابُ
Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established."
وَإِذَا ٱلصُّحُفُ نُشِرَتْ
And when the pages are spread [i.e., made public]
يَتَخَـٰفَتُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا عَشْرًا
They will murmur among themselves, "You remained not but ten [days in the world]."