وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتُضْعِفُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ بَلْ مَكْرُ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذْ تَأْمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكْفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجْعَلَ لَهُۥٓ أَندَادًا ۚ وَأَسَرُّوا۟ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلْأَغْلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعْنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۚ هَلْ يُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ 33
Translations
Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, "Rather, [it was your] conspiracy of night and day when you were ordering us to disbelieve in Allāh and attribute to Him equals." But they will [all] confide regret when they see the punishment; and We will put shackles on the necks of those who disbelieved. Will they be recompensed except for what they used to do?
Transliteration
Wa qāla alladhīna istud'ifū lilladhīna istakbarū bal makru al-layli wa-al-nahāri idh ta'murūnānā an nakfura bi-allāhi wa naj'ala lahū andādan wa asarrū al-nadāmata lammā ra'aw al-'adhāba wa ja'alnā al-aghlāla fī a'nāqi alladhīna kafarū hal yujzawna illā mā kānū ya'malūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The weakened and oppressed people will reproach the arrogant ones on the Day of Judgment, saying: 'Rather, it was your scheming night and day that led us astray—you commanded us to disbelieve in Allah and set up partners with Him.' When they see the punishment, they will conceal their remorse, but it will be too late. Allah will place chains around the necks of the disbelievers as punishment for their deeds. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this describes the mutual accusations between leaders and followers in Hellfire, where the followers blame the arrogant leaders for their misguidance, yet both share responsibility for their rejection of truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Saba, a Meccan surah that discusses the fate of disbelievers and those who reject the message. The broader context (34:31-34) describes the dialogue between the oppressed followers and their arrogant leaders on the Day of Judgment, illustrating how social hierarchies will dissolve and mutual recriminations will occur when facing divine justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, the weak will say to the mighty: We were your followers and helpers, so give us from your good deeds.' (Tirmidhi) This hadith parallels the theme of followers blaming leaders for their misguidance and shared responsibility before Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no one can absolve themselves of responsibility by blaming others, for each person will be held accountable for their choices and actions before Allah. It reminds us that followers bear responsibility for accepting falsehood and that arrogant leaders will not save those who followed them—true guidance comes only from sincere submission to Allah alone.