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
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds - for them are the Gardens of Pleasure,
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦ ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَنكَفُوا۟ وَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
And as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards and grant them extra from His bounty. But as for those who disdained and were arrogant, He will punish them with a painful punishment, and they will not find for themselves besides Allāh any protector or helper.
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ ٱلنَّاسُ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَنزَلْنَا ٱلْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥ وَرُسُلَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ
We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allāh may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
إِنَّا مُنزِلُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَهْلِ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ رِجْزًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْسُقُونَ
Indeed, we will bring down on the people of this city punishment from the sky because they have been defiantly disobedient."