أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَحْكَمِ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ 8
Translations
Is not Allāh the most just of judges?
Transliteration
Alaysa Allahu bi-ahkami al-hakimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is a rhetorical question affirming that Allah is the Most Wise of all judges and decision-makers. Ibn Kathir explains that after describing humanity's creation in the best form (ahsan taqwim) and subsequent debasement for those who reject faith, Allah poses this powerful question to emphasize His perfect wisdom and justice in all His decrees. The question expects an affirmative answer: yes, Allah alone possesses supreme wisdom, and His judgment is infallible, unlike the limited wisdom of creation.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Tin is a Meccan surah that begins by invoking the fig and olive as signs of Allah's creative wisdom. This final ayah serves as the climactic conclusion, affirming Allah's absolute wisdom as justification for the entire surah's message about human dignity, moral accountability, and divine sovereignty. It reinforces the theme that despite humanity's capacity for honor, those who deny truth will face degradation.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this ayah, Sahih Muslim (2865) records the Prophet (ﷺ) saying: 'Every soul shall taste death, and We test you with evil and with good as a trial' - which relates thematically to Allah's perfect wisdom in His decrees. Additionally, the concept appears in Surah Al-Anfal 8:67 regarding Allah's wisdom in war matters.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to trust completely in Allah's wisdom and justice, even when circumstances seem difficult or unclear, and to recognize that His judgments transcend human understanding. For modern readers, it encourages surrendering doubt and embracing faith in divine providence, knowing that Allah's wisdom encompasses all consequences and outcomes.