وَمَن يَكْسِبْ إِثْمًا فَإِنَّمَا يَكْسِبُهُۥ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِۦ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا 111
Translations
And whoever earns [i.e., commits] a sin only earns it against himself. And Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.
Transliteration
Wa man yaksib ithmaan fa innama yaksabuhu 'ala nafsihi wa kana Allahu 'alimaan hakimaa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the principle of personal accountability before Allah—whoever commits a sin bears the burden of that sin upon themselves alone, not upon others. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse emphasizes that sin is a personal transgression whose consequences rest solely with the perpetrator, and Allah's knowledge and wisdom encompass all actions and their ultimate consequences. This principle reinforces divine justice and individual moral responsibility in Islam.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nisa, a Medinan chapter that addresses community ethics and legal matters. It comes within a broader context discussing various moral and social responsibilities, establishing the fundamental Islamic principle that each person answers for their own deeds and cannot be held accountable for the sins of others.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock' (Sahih Bukhari 2286), which complements this ayah by emphasizing individual accountability. Also related: 'No soul shall bear the burden of another' (Qur'an 17:15), which reinforces the same principle.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that they cannot blame others for their spiritual failures or moral shortcomings—each person is answerable to Allah for their own choices and actions. It should inspire believers to focus on self-improvement and moral integrity rather than deflecting responsibility.
Related Ayahs
عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ وَأَخَّرَتْ
A soul will [then] know what it has put forth and kept back.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُبَايِعُونَكَ إِنَّمَا يُبَايِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ يَدُ ٱللَّهِ فَوْقَ أَيْدِيهِمْ ۚ فَمَن نَّكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنكُثُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِمَا عَـٰهَدَ عَلَيْهُ ٱللَّهَ فَسَيُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you, [O Muḥammad] - they are actually pledging allegiance to Allāh. The hand of Allāh is over their hands. So he who breaks his word only breaks it to the detriment of himself. And he who fulfills that which he has promised Allāh - He will give him a great reward.
عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
About what they used to do.
قُلْ أَتُحَآجُّونَنَا فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ وَلَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُخْلِصُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Do you argue with us about Allāh while He is our Lord and your Lord? For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. And we are sincere [in deed and intention] to Him."