قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا مَن قَدَّمَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا فَزِدْهُ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا فِى ٱلنَّارِ 61
Translations
They will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase for him double punishment in the Fire."
Transliteration
Qāloo rabbanaā man qaddama lanā hādhā fazidhu 'adhāban dhi'fā fī an-nār
Tafsir (Explanation)
The inhabitants of Hell cry out to their Lord, asking Him to increase the punishment of whoever led them astray in the worldly life. This ayah depicts the despair and regret of the damned as they recognize their seducers and wish for them to receive greater torment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a manifestation of the justice of Allah, where those who misled others to evil will face compounded punishment, while this statement also reflects the powerlessness and anguish of those in Hell.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Sad (Meccan chapter) in a passage describing the condition of the inhabitants of Hell on the Day of Judgment. The broader context (verses 59-64) depicts a dialogue between the people of Hell where they accuse their leaders and seducers, highlighting the theme of mutual blame and regret on the Day of Resurrection—a common Meccan theme intended to warn the polytheists of Mecca about the consequences of rejecting faith and following their leaders in disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever invites to guidance will have a reward like that of those who follow him, without any decrease in their reward. Whoever invites to misguidance will bear a burden like that of those who follow him, without any decrease in their burden' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). This hadith complements the ayah by showing that those who lead others astray bear responsibility for their followers' sins.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that those who deliberately mislead others toward evil—whether through false teaching, corrupt leadership, or moral example—will face compounded divine punishment, emphasizing that our influence over others carries grave spiritual responsibility both in this life and the next.