ثَانِىَ عِطْفِهِۦ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَهُۥ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌ ۖ وَنُذِيقُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ 9
Translations
Twisting his neck [in arrogance] to mislead [people] from the way of Allāh. For him in the world is disgrace, and We will make him taste on the Day of Resurrection the punishment of the Burning Fire [while it is said],
Transliteration
Thani 'itfihi liyudilla 'an sabili Allah, lahu fi al-dunya khizy wa nudhiqhu yawma al-qiyamati adhaba al-hariq
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who turn away from the path of Allah with arrogance and pride, twisting their necks in defiance. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret 'thani 'itfihi' (turning his side/shoulder) as a metaphor for stubborn rejection and disdain toward divine guidance. The ayah warns that such people will face disgrace in this worldly life and will taste the punishment of the Hellfire on the Day of Judgment—a severe consequence for deliberate misguidance and leading others astray from Allah's path.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Hajj, a Medinan surah dealing with themes of pilgrimage, faith, and divine judgment. It appears in a passage addressing those who reject Allah's signs and turn away with arrogance, contextualizing the spiritual corruption of hearts that refuse guidance despite clear signs being presented to them.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The worst of people in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection will be the double-faced person who appears to some people with one face and to others with another face.' (Sahih Bukhari 3484) This relates to the theme of turning away and hypocrisy mentioned in the ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejection of truth driven by arrogance carries immediate social shame and ultimate divine punishment. Believers should examine their hearts for any tendency to dismiss guidance and remain humble before Allah's signs, recognizing that stubborn pride leads only to ruin in both worlds.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَـٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى ٱلْقُلُوبِ
That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols [i.e., rites] of Allāh - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.
أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ يُقَـٰتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمْ ظُلِمُوا۟ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ نَصْرِهِمْ لَقَدِيرٌ
Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allāh is competent to give them victory.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَأَنَّهُۥ يُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَأَنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
That is because Allāh is the True Reality and because He gives life to the dead and because He is over all things competent
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا ۖ وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ
Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearl, and their garments therein will be silk.