وَتَرَى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ يَوْمَئِذٍ مُّقَرَّنِينَ فِى ٱلْأَصْفَادِ 49
Translations
And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in irons,
Transliteration
Wa tara al-mujrimeen yawma'idhin muqarraneen fi al-asfad
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a scene from the Day of Judgment where the criminals and disbelievers will be seen bound together in chains and shackles. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'al-asfad' (الأصفاد) refers to iron chains and fetters, emphasizing the humiliation and punishment awaiting those who rejected Allah's signs. The binding together symbolizes their collective shame and the inescapability of divine justice.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ibrahim, a Meccan surah that emphasizes themes of monotheism, rejection of idolatry, and the certainty of the Day of Judgment. The surah was revealed to strengthen the believers' faith during the early persecution in Mecca by vividly describing scenes of the Hereafter and the fate of those who deny Allah's messages.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'On the Day of Judgment, the sun will be brought close to the creation, and people will sweat according to their deeds' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, there are descriptions of the punishment and binding of the disbelievers in the Hereafter, illustrating the reality of this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder of accountability on the Day of Judgment and the inevitable consequences of rejecting Allah's guidance, urging believers to reflect on their actions in this life and turn toward righteousness and obedience to Allah.
Related Ayahs
وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ بِشِمَالِهِۦ فَيَقُولُ يَـٰلَيْتَنِى لَمْ أُوتَ كِتَـٰبِيَهْ
But as for he who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, "Oh, I wish I had not been given my record
إِذَا ٱلشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ
When the sun is wrapped up [in darkness]
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allāh. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged [i.e., treated unjustly].
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ إِنَّمَا تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
O you who have disbelieved, make no excuses that Day. You will only be recompensed for what you used to do.