ثُمَّ لَنَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيًّا 70
Translations
Then, surely it is We who are most knowing of those most worthy of burning therein.
Transliteration
Thumma la-nahnu a'lamu billadhina hum awla biha siliyya
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah alone knows with perfect certainty who among humanity deserves to enter Hell (Hellfire). The phrase 'awla biha siliyya' (most deserving of it) emphasizes that Allah's knowledge of people's deeds and hearts is absolute and complete. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this as reassurance that divine judgment is perfectly just, as only Allah possesses comprehensive knowledge of all secret intentions and actions that determine one's fate.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Maryam within a passage discussing the Day of Judgment and resurrection. The context emphasizes Allah's perfect knowledge during the final reckoning, reassuring believers that the Divine will judge with absolute fairness based on complete knowledge of all circumstances, not mere appearances or human assumptions.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 4770 - The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'None of you should wish for death, for if he is a doer of good, he may increase in goodness, and if he is a sinner, he may repent.' This relates to the theme that Allah knows who truly deserves punishment. Also relevant: Muslim 2643 on Allah's knowledge preceding human actions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that we should not hastily judge others' spiritual states, as only Allah possesses complete knowledge of hearts and deeds. It encourages humility before Divine judgment and confidence that Allah's justice is perfect, based on comprehensive knowledge beyond human perception.