يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِى مَوْلًى عَن مَّوْلًى شَيْـًٔا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ 41
Translations
The Day when no relation will avail a relation at all, nor will they be helped -
Transliteration
Yawma laa yughnee mawlan aan mawlan shay'an wa laa hum yunsaroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when no protector (mawla) can benefit another protector, and none will receive help or support. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse highlights the complete severance of worldly relationships and the inability of any created being—whether wealthy, powerful, or close in kinship—to intercede or assist another on that day. The ayah underscores the absolute helplessness of humanity before Allah's divine justice, where each soul stands alone accountable for its deeds.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ad-Dukhan (Chapter 44), a Meccan surah primarily concerned with the signs of Allah's power, the rejection of the message by the disbelievers, and vivid descriptions of the Day of Judgment. The verse is part of a broader thematic context describing the inevitable consequences and the futility of worldly alliances when facing divine reckoning.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, a person will flee from his brother, his mother, his father, and his wife and children' (Sahih Al-Bukhari 4731), which illustrates the same principle of isolation on that day. Also relevant is the hadith: 'Verily, your Lord is One, and your father is one' reminding believers of ultimate accountability before Allah alone.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that in this life we should not place false trust in wealth, status, or relationships as means of salvation—only righteous deeds and sincere devotion to Allah matter. We should cultivate awareness (taqwa) that we will face Allah alone, and no amount of worldly connections or influence can save us from His judgment.