وَلَا يُوثِقُ وَثَاقَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ 26
Translations
And none will bind [as severely] as His binding [of the evildoers].
Transliteration
Wa lā yūthiqu wathāqahu aḥad
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the binding chains or shackles that will be placed on the necks of the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment, emphasizing that no one will be able to loosen or remove these bonds once they are fastened. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a vivid description of the punishment and helplessness of those who rejected Allah's message, highlighting the inescapable nature of divine justice. The ayah serves as a powerful warning about the permanence of consequences for those who turn away from truth in this life.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Fajr, a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when the Prophet faced intense opposition. The surah addresses the fate of nations that rejected their messengers (such as 'Aad, Thamud, and Pharaoh) and culminates with descriptions of the Day of Judgment, situating this ayah within the broader theme of divine warning and accountability.
Related Hadiths
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, Allah will say to the people of Hell: Were not My signs recited to you? They will say: Yes, but We denied them' (Sahih Muslim 2874). This hadith relates thematically to the ayah's emphasis on the binding consequences of rejecting divine guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejection of divine guidance carries irreversible consequences in the afterlife, and serves as a sobering reminder to accept Allah's message while we have the opportunity in this life. For the faithful, it reinforces trust in Allah's perfect justice and the futility of denying His truth.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Indeed, the former and later peoples
بَلِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُكَذِّبُونَ
But those who have disbelieved deny,
وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِكُلِّ نَفْسٍ ظَلَمَتْ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَٱفْتَدَتْ بِهِۦ ۗ وَأَسَرُّوا۟ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۖ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
And if each soul that wronged had everything on earth, it would offer it in ransom. And they will confide regret when they see the punishment; and they will be judged in justice, and they will not be wronged.
إِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَلَا يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ ٱلْكُفْرَ ۖ وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا۟ يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
If you disbelieve - indeed, Allāh is Free from need of you. And He does not approve for His servants disbelief. And if you are grateful, He approves [i.e., likes] it for you; and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you about what you used to do. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.