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.
Related Ayahs
وَكُلُّهُمْ ءَاتِيهِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَرْدًا
And all of them are coming to Him on the Day of Resurrection alone.
فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍۭ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ شَهِيدًا
So how [will it be] when We bring from every nation a witness and We bring you, [O Muḥammad], against these [people] as a witness?
يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِى صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ أَوْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ
[And Luqmān said], "O my son, indeed if it [i.e., a wrong] should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allāh will bring it forth. Indeed, Allāh is Subtle and Aware.
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and those before them. They denied Our signs, so Allāh seized them for their sins. And Allāh is severe in penalty.