فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ 54
Translations
So today [i.e., the Day of Judgement] no soul will be wronged at all, and you will not be recompensed except for what you used to do.
Transliteration
Fa-al-yawma la tuẓlamu nafsun shay'an wa la tujzawna illa ma kuntum ta'malun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms the absolute justice of the Day of Judgment, where no soul will be wronged even by the smallest amount, and each person will receive only the exact reward or punishment corresponding to their deeds in this life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse encapsulates the principle of perfect divine justice ('adl), distinguishing it from human systems which are prone to error and favoritism. The ayah provides reassurance to the believers that their righteous deeds will not be diminished, and a warning to the wrongdoers that they cannot escape the consequences of their actions.
Revelation Context
Surah Ya-Sin is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when the polytheists of Mecca rejected the message of resurrection and the afterlife. This particular ayah appears within the context of Surah Ya-Sin's discussion of the Day of Judgment, emphasizing that skeptics should accept the reality of accountability in the afterlife, as God's justice is perfect and infallible.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, the first matter to be settled between people will be regarding bloodshed' (Sahih Bukhari 6533), illustrating God's commitment to absolute justice. Additionally, 'None of you will enter Paradise unless Allah wraps him in His Mercy' (Sahih Muslim 191), which complements this ayah by showing that while justice is perfect, mercy is also essential.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah encourages believers to be conscious of their intentions and actions in this life, knowing that nothing will be hidden or unfairly judged on the Day of Resurrection. It serves as both a comfort for the righteous and a sobering reminder for those who commit injustices, motivating moral accountability in all aspects of life.
Related Ayahs
وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا ۖ وَإِن جَـٰهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِى مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَآ ۚ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.
كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِنْ غَمٍّ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
Every time they want to get out of it [i.e., Hellfire] from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!"
وَإِذَا ٱلْمَوْءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتْ
And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked
هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّآ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ أَوْ يَأْتِىَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
Do they [i.e., the disbelievers] await except that the angels should come to them or there comes the command of your Lord? Thus did those do before them. And Allāh wronged them not, but they had been wronging themselves.