إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلْمَجُوسَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ 17
Translations
Indeed, those who have believed and those who were Jews and the Sabeans and the Christians and the Magians and those who associated with Allāh - Allāh will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed Allāh is, over all things, Witness.
Transliteration
Inna alladhina amanu wa-alladhina hadu wa-al-sabiina wa-al-nasara wa-al-majus wa-alladhina ashraqu inna Allah yafsilubayna-hum yawm al-qiyamah. Inna Allah ala kulli shay'in shahid.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah enumerates various religious communities—believers (Muslims), Jews, Sabians, Christians, Zoroastrians, and polytheists—and affirms that Allah will judge between them on the Day of Judgment based on their deeds and beliefs. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that despite the diversity of faiths in the world, Allah's justice is absolute and His knowledge encompasses all; each group will receive judgment according to their circumstances and adherence to truth. The ayah underscores that mere religious affiliation without righteous action is insufficient, as the ultimate criterion on the Day of Judgment is one's faith and deeds.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Hajj (Medinan), revealed during the period when the Islamic community coexisted with multiple religious communities in Medina and Arabia. The broader context of the surah addresses themes of pilgrimage, divine signs, and the universal call to monotheism; this particular ayah fits within discussions of religious pluralism and the finality of divine judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari). Also related: 'Every soul shall taste death, and We test you with evil and with good as a trial' (Quran 21:35), emphasizing that all will be tested and judged.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that while religious diversity exists in the world, no one escapes divine scrutiny—believers should focus on their own sincerity, righteousness, and adherence to truth rather than preoccupation with others' beliefs, trusting that Allah's judgment on the Day of Resurrection will be perfectly just and based on complete knowledge of all hearts and deeds.