هَـٰٓأَنتُمْ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ جَـٰدَلْتُمْ عَنْهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَمَن يُجَـٰدِلُ ٱللَّهَ عَنْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ أَم مَّن يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَكِيلًا 109
Translations
Here you are - those who argue on their behalf in [this] worldly life - but who will argue with Allāh for them on the Day of Resurrection, or who will [then] be their representative?
Transliteration
Ha-antum ha-ula-i jadaltum 'anhum fil-hayatid-dunya faman yujadilu-Allaha 'anhum yawmal-qiyamah am man yakunu 'alayhim wakil
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah rebukes those who defended and argued on behalf of hypocrites and the disobedient in worldly life, warning them that no one will be able to dispute with Allah or intercede for these people on the Day of Judgment. Ibn Kathir explains that this addresses those who made excuses for or defended the wrongdoers, emphasizing that such arguments are futile before Allah's perfect justice. Al-Qurtubi notes that this serves as a strong reminder of accountability and the impossibility of defending falsehood before Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of hypocrisy and those who dispute matters of faith. It likely relates to the broader Medinan context where the Prophet (saw) encountered hypocrites who would argue and make excuses for their positions, and believers who would defend them out of tribal loyalty or weakness of conviction.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (saw) said: 'Whoever defends the honor of his brother in his absence, Allah will defend his face from the Hellfire on the Day of Judgment' (Tirmidhi). However, this applies to defending the innocent; the ayah warns against defending those engaged in clear disobedience and hypocrisy.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should not waste energy defending those who persist in disobedience and falsehood, as no argument will avail them before Allah. This teaches us to align our loyalties with truth and justice rather than blind tribal or social allegiances, knowing that only righteous deeds matter on the Day of Judgment.
Related Ayahs
أَفَمَن يَتَّقِى بِوَجْهِهِۦ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ وَقِيلَ لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ذُوقُوا۟ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ
Then is he who will shield with his face the worst of the punishment on the Day of Resurrection [like one secure from it]? And it will be said to the wrongdoers, "Taste what you used to earn."
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.
ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ
Those who disbelieve will have a severe punishment, and those who believe and do righteous deeds will have forgiveness and great reward.
بَلَىٰ مَن كَسَبَ سَيِّئَةً وَأَحَـٰطَتْ بِهِۦ خَطِيٓـَٔتُهُۥ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
Yes, [on the contrary], whoever earns evil and his sin has encompassed him - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.