فَلَمَّآ أَنجَىٰهُمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَبْغُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ ۗ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّمَا بَغْيُكُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُم ۖ مَّتَـٰعَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ 23
Translations
But when He saves them, at once they commit injustice upon the earth without right. O mankind, your injustice is only against yourselves, [being merely] the enjoyment of worldly life. Then to Us is your return, and We will inform you of what you used to do.
Transliteration
Fa-lammā anjaāhum idhā hum yabghūna fil-ardi bighayril-haqq. Yā ayyuhal-nāsu innamā baghyukum alā anfusikum matāal-hayātid-dunyā. Thumma ilaynā marji'ukum fa-nunabbī'ukum bimā kuntum ta'malūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the hypocrisy of those who, when saved from danger and hardship, immediately return to corruption and oppression on earth without right. Allah directly addresses mankind, reminding them that their transgression and tyranny ultimately harms only themselves, as the temporary pleasures of worldly life will pass, and all shall return to Allah for judgment and accountability for their deeds. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize this as a warning against the false security and ingratitude that leads people to abandon righteousness once distress is removed.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a broader Meccan narrative in Surah Yunus addressing the pattern of human behavior: calling upon Allah in times of crisis, then forgetting Him in times of comfort. The surah illustrates this cycle through various examples, with this ayah serving as a direct rebuke and reminder of divine justice and the ultimate return to Allah.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The most hated person to Allah is the one who is involved in Ribā (usury),' reflecting the theme of wrongdoing that harms oneself. Additionally, the concept of being held accountable for deeds is central to numerous hadiths on the Day of Judgment, such as in Muslim: 'Everyone will know their deeds on the Day of Resurrection.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that oppression and corruption ultimately damage the oppressor, not others, and that worldly gains obtained through wrongdoing are fleeting illusions. Believers should maintain consistent righteousness regardless of circumstances, remembering that all actions will be accounted for before Allah on the Day of Judgment.
Related Ayahs
۞ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ ۖ وَلَا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلَا ذِلَّةٌ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
For them who have done good is the best [reward] - and extra. No darkness will cover their faces, nor humiliation. Those are companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.
بَلْ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِمَا لَمْ يُحِيطُوا۟ بِعِلْمِهِۦ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِهِمْ تَأْوِيلُهُۥ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Rather, they have denied that which they encompass not in knowledge and whose interpretation has not yet come to them. Thus did those before them deny. Then observe how was the end of the wrongdoers.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا وَرَضُوا۟ بِٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱطْمَأَنُّوا۟ بِهَا وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا غَـٰفِلُونَ
Indeed, those who do not expect the meeting with Us and are satisfied with the life of this world and feel secure therein and those who are heedless of Our signs -
أَثُمَّ إِذَا مَا وَقَعَ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦٓ ۚ ءَآلْـَٔـٰنَ وَقَدْ كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ
Then is it that when it has [actually] occurred you will believe in it? Now? And you were [once] for it impatient.