إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ ۖ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 118
Translations
If You should punish them - indeed they are Your servants; but if You forgive them - indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
Transliteration
In tu'aththibhum fa-innahum 'ibaduka wa-in taghfir lahum fa-innaka anta al-'Azeez al-Hakeem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is the statement of Prophet 'Isa (Jesus) on the Day of Judgment, wherein he affirms Allah's absolute sovereignty and justice in matters of punishment and forgiveness. 'Isa acknowledges that the people are Allah's servants, and whether Allah chooses to punish or forgive them is entirely within His divine authority, as He is both mighty (Al-'Azeez) and wise (Al-Hakeem). Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir note this demonstrates the perfect submission and humility of the prophets before Allah's divine will, with no intercession granted except by His permission.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Ma'idah's discussion of 'Isa and his followers (5:116-118). It is 'Isa's response to Allah's questioning on the Day of Judgment about whether he commanded people to worship him and his mother as gods. The verse reflects the broader Quranic theme of clarifying 'Isa's status as a messenger, not a god, while emphasizing monotheism (tawheed).
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (6/2410) regarding the intercession on the Day of Judgment relates to this theme, where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) describes seeking intercession before Allah, reinforcing that all matters of reward and punishment rest with Allah's divine wisdom and justice.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers ultimate trust in Allah's divine wisdom and justice in all matters—whether facing hardship or blessing, one should recognize that Allah's decisions are both powerful and perfectly wise. It inspires humility before Allah's throne and confidence that His judgments are always just and merciful.
Related Ayahs
لَهُۥ مَقَالِيدُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is, of all things, Knowing.
هُنَالِكَ ٱلْوَلَـٰيَةُ لِلَّهِ ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ هُوَ خَيْرٌ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ عُقْبًا
There the authority is [completely] for Allāh, the Truth. He is best in reward and best in outcome.
وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَهُۥ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّا
[Gabriel said], "And we [angels] descend not except by the order of your Lord. To Him belongs that before us and that behind us and what is in between. And never is your Lord forgetful -
إِنِّى تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم ۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذٌۢ بِنَاصِيَتِهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Indeed, I have relied upon Allāh, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but that He holds it by its forelock [i.e., controls it]. Indeed, my Lord is on a path [that is] straight.