مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنَاصَرُونَ 25
Translations
[They will be asked], "What is [wrong] with you? Why do you not help each other?"
Transliteration
Ma lakum la tanasarun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is Allah's rhetorical question to the polytheists on the Day of Judgment, asking them why they are not helping or defending one another despite their false deities and mutual alliances in the worldly life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this serves as a powerful reminder of the isolation and helplessness each soul will face before Allah, as all worldly bonds and relationships based on falsehood will be severed. Al-Tabari emphasizes that this question underscores the futility of relying on partners (shirk) and the importance of monotheism.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah As-Saffat's depiction of the Day of Judgment and the fate of disbelievers. The surah presents vivid scenes of the afterlife where the illusions and false supports of the disbelievers are stripped away, leaving them defenseless and unable to aid one another—a stark contrast to their earthly arrogance and mutual support in polytheism.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim narrated by Abu Hurairah states that on the Day of Judgment, a person's only intercession will be their deeds, and family relations will be of no avail. This theme complements the ayah's message about the inability of others to help or defend one another in the hereafter.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that reliance on false deities, worldly relationships based on falsehood, or dependence on others for salvation is ultimately futile; only genuine faith in Allah and righteous deeds will avail us on the Day of Judgment. It serves as a profound warning to prioritize our relationship with Allah alone and recognize that every soul will stand accountable before Him.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَآ أُلْقُوا۟ مِنْهَا مَكَانًا ضَيِّقًا مُّقَرَّنِينَ دَعَوْا۟ هُنَالِكَ ثُبُورًا
And when they are thrown into a narrow place therein bound in chains, they will cry out thereupon for destruction.
فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ تَوْصِيَةً وَلَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
And they will not be able [to give] any instruction, nor to their people can they return.
وَإِذَا ٱلصُّحُفُ نُشِرَتْ
And when the pages are spread [i.e., made public]
وَنَادَىٰٓ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْأَعْرَافِ رِجَالًا يَعْرِفُونَهُم بِسِيمَىٰهُمْ قَالُوا۟ مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنكُمْ جَمْعُكُمْ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
And the companions of the Elevations will call to men [within Hell] whom they recognize by their mark, saying, "Of no avail to you was your gathering and [the fact] that you were arrogant."