إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ ٱلنَّاسَ شَيْـًٔا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ 44
Translations
Indeed, Allāh does not wrong the people at all, but it is the people who are wronging themselves.
Transliteration
Inna Allaha la yadhlimu an-nasa shay'an wa lakin an-nasa anfusahum yadhlimuun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah is absolutely just and does not wrong His creation in any way; rather, people wrong themselves through their disobedience, disbelief, and sinful actions. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that Allah's justice is perfect—any punishment that befalls humanity is a direct consequence of their own choices and transgressions, not divine injustice. This principle underscores human responsibility and accountability before Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Yunus, a Meccan chapter dealing with divine guidance, prophethood, and the consequences of rejecting truth. It comes within the broader context of the surah's themes regarding Allah's justice in dealing with those who believe versus those who reject the message, particularly addressing the objections of the disbelievers who questioned why they were punished.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'No soul is wronged, but when the Day of Judgment comes, it will receive what it deserves' (related themes in Sahih Muslim and other collections). Additionally, the hadith 'Whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it' (Sahih Muslim 2286) reflects the principle that consequences stem from one's own deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that we cannot blame Allah or external circumstances for our spiritual failures; rather, we must recognize that our choices and actions are our own responsibility. It calls believers to introspection and self-accountability, inspiring them to correct their conduct and seek Allah's forgiveness, knowing that He is Just and merciful to those who sincerely repent.