هَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبُنَا يَنطِقُ عَلَيْكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا نَسْتَنسِخُ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ 29
Translations
This, Our record, speaks about you in truth. Indeed, We were having transcribed whatever you used to do."
Transliteration
Hatha kitabuna yantiqu alaikum bil-haqq. Inna kunna nastanskhu ma kuntum taAAmalun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Book of Deeds (Kitab al-A'mal) that will be presented to each person on the Day of Judgment, speaking truthfully about all their actions in life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that Allah has recorded every deed, and this divine record will testify against or for a person, as it contains an accurate account of everything they did. The verb 'yantiqu' (speaks/testifies) emphasizes the vivid reality of this confrontation with one's own deeds on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Jathiyah's discussion of the Day of Judgment and resurrection. It comes toward the end of the surah where Allah describes the scenes and realities of the Hereafter. The passage emphasizes that deeds are meticulously recorded by Allah throughout one's lifetime, and each person will witness their own record on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, a man's deeds will be presented to him and he will recognize them.' (Related to the theme of deed-witnessing) Also relevant is the hadith: 'There is no soul that does not have a noble angel and an ignoble devil recording its deeds' (Sahih Muslim), highlighting the constant recording of actions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah should inspire believers to be conscious of their actions in all moments, knowing that Allah is aware of everything they do and that they will face their complete record of deeds. It serves as a powerful reminder that true accountability is inevitable, encouraging mindful living and sincere repentance.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوٓا۟ أَوَلَمْ تَكُ تَأْتِيكُمْ رُسُلُكُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ ۚ قَالُوا۟ فَٱدْعُوا۟ ۗ وَمَا دُعَـٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ
They will say, "Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?" They will say, "Yes." They will reply, "Then supplicate [yourselves], but the supplication of the disbelievers is not except in error [i.e., futility]."
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلْمَجُوسَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
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.
يَوْمَ يُدَعُّونَ إِلَىٰ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ دَعًّا
The Day they are thrust toward the fire of Hell with a [violent] thrust, [its angels will say],
أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ
That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another