أَتَّخَذْنَـٰهُمْ سِخْرِيًّا أَمْ زَاغَتْ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرُ 63
Translations
Is it [because] we took them in ridicule, or has [our] vision turned away from them?"
Transliteration
Attakhaznahum sikhriyan am zaghat 'anhumu al-absaar
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the angels' perplexed questioning on the Day of Judgment regarding humanity's worship of idols alongside Allah. The angels ask: 'Did we take them (the idolaters) in mockery, or have our eyes missed them (overlooked their actions)?' According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this rhetorical question expresses the angels' astonishment at how humans could have gone so astray despite the clarity of divine signs, emphasizing that the angels neither mocked nor were negligent in witnessing human deeds. The verse underscores the inexplicability of human disbelief from a celestial perspective.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Sad's descriptions of the Day of Judgment and the angels' observations of human behavior throughout history. It is part of a broader Meccan discourse addressing polytheism and the certainty of the Day of Reckoning, specifically illustrating how even the angels will be bewildered by humanity's choice to reject monotheism despite abundant evidence.
Related Hadiths
While no direct hadith specifically cites this verse, it relates thematically to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned that the angels are amazed at the actions of the Children of Adam, particularly their oscillation between obedience and disobedience.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that their actions are constantly observed by the celestial witnesses and that turning away from clear divine guidance is inexplicable even to the angels, serving as a powerful incentive for steadfastness in faith and obedience to Allah's commands.