إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَفْعَلُ بِٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ 34
Translations
Indeed, that is how We deal with the criminals.
Transliteration
Inna kadhalika nafAAalu bialmujourimeena
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah deals with criminals and wrongdoers in this manner—with punishment and humiliation. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the verse refers to the fate of the disbelievers and transgressors who reject Allah's signs, emphasizing that Divine punishment is a consistent law applied to all who commit crimes against Allah and His creation. The phrase 'kadhalika' (thus/in this manner) connects to the preceding narrative about the fate of those who denied the truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah As-Saffat, which is a Meccan surah primarily concerned with refuting polytheism and affirming Allah's oneness and justice. The broader context discusses the punishment awaiting those who reject faith and commit transgressions, serving as a warning to the Meccan disbelievers during the early Islamic period.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent,' (Sahih Bukhari 6018), emphasizing the accountability of wrongdoers. Also relevant is the hadith: 'The curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers,' (Sunan Ibn Majah), which relates to Divine punishment for criminals.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that wrongdoing and rejection of truth carry inevitable consequences in the sight of Allah, serving as a deterrent against crime and transgression. It encourages believers to uphold justice and morality, knowing that Allah's punishment for criminals is certain and consistent.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ فَٱذْهَبْ فَإِنَّ لَكَ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ أَن تَقُولَ لَا مِسَاسَ ۖ وَإِنَّ لَكَ مَوْعِدًا لَّن تُخْلَفَهُۥ ۖ وَٱنظُرْ إِلَىٰٓ إِلَـٰهِكَ ٱلَّذِى ظَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ عَاكِفًا ۖ لَّنُحَرِّقَنَّهُۥ ثُمَّ لَنَنسِفَنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ نَسْفًا
[Moses] said, "Then go. And indeed, it is [decreed] for you in [this] life to say, 'No contact.' And indeed, you have an appointment [in the Hereafter] you will not fail to keep. And look at your 'god' to which you remained devoted. We will surely burn it and blow it [i.e., its ashes] into the sea with a blast.
فَبِظُلْمٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ طَيِّبَـٰتٍ أُحِلَّتْ لَهُمْ وَبِصَدِّهِمْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرًا
For wrongdoing on the part of the Jews, We made unlawful for them [certain] good foods which had been lawful to them, and for their averting from the way of Allāh many [people],
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
And when the messengers came to the family of Lot,
أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَـٰكِنِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ
Then, has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.