وَقَالُوا۟ مَا لَنَا لَا نَرَىٰ رِجَالًا كُنَّا نَعُدُّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَشْرَارِ 62
Translations
And they will say, "Why do we not see men whom we used to count among the worst?
Transliteration
Wa qalū mā lanā lā narā rijālan kunnā na'udduhum min al-ashrār
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts the inhabitants of Hell expressing bewilderment at not seeing certain men whom they considered to be among the worst sinners in the worldly life. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this reflects the Day of Judgment when the disbelievers will be surprised to find that some whom they judged as evil are absent from Hell, while conversely, some they considered righteous are present. This serves as a reminder that Allah's judgment transcends human perception and that outward appearances and social judgments are often deceptive.
Revelation Context
Surah Sad is Meccan and primarily addresses polytheism and disbelief. This ayah is part of a passage (38:59-64) describing scenes from the Hereafter, where the inhabitants of Hell converse about their misdeeds and express regret. The context illustrates the confusion and surprise of the damned as they encounter the reality of the Hereafter, which contradicts their worldly assumptions and judgments.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Surah At-Taubah 9:101, and hadiths in Sahih Bukhari regarding how people's deeds and intentions—not appearances—determine their final destination. Also relevant is the hadith about the Day of Judgment where people's secrets will be revealed (Surah At-Tariq 86:9).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us not to judge others' spiritual state based on outward conduct or social reputation, as only Allah knows the hearts and true intentions of people. It serves as a humbling reminder that our worldly perceptions are fallible and that true accountability rests with Allah alone.