يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيَحْلِفُونَ لَهُۥ كَمَا يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْكَـٰذِبُونَ 18
Translations
On the Day Allāh will resurrect them all, and they will swear to Him as they swear to you and think that they are [standing] on something. Unquestionably, it is they who are the liars.
Transliteration
Yawma yab'athuhumu allahu jami'an fa-yahlifuna lahu kama yahlifuna lakum wa-yahsabuna annahum 'ala shay'in ala inna-hum hum al-kadhibun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Resurrection when Allah will raise all people together, and the hypocrites will swear oaths to Allah just as they swore to the believers in this world, deluding themselves that their false oaths hold some weight. However, Allah declares that they are nothing but liars, as their deception and false swearing will be exposed and utterly powerless before Him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse warns of the futility of hypocrisy and false testimony before Allah, whose knowledge encompasses all hidden intentions.
Revelation Context
This surah (Al-Mujadila) was revealed in Medina and addresses the issue of the hypocrites (munafiqun) and their deceptive practices. The broader context of this ayah relates to how hypocrites attempted to conceal their disbelief through false oaths and deceitful behavior, which will be evident to all on the Day of Judgment when Allah gathers all creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding false oaths: 'Whoever swears by Allah, let him be truthful, for Allah is with the truthful' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, regarding hypocrisy on the Day of Judgment, the Quran mentions in Surah At-Taubah 9:65 how the hypocrites make excuses when confronted, exemplifying the deception described in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that no deception, however carefully concealed in this world, will escape Allah's justice on the Day of Judgment, and that truthfulness and sincere faith are the only means of success. For modern believers, it emphasizes the importance of internal integrity and honest dealings, knowing that ultimately only truth and sincerity matter before Allah.
Related Ayahs
وَيَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ إِنَّهُمْ لَمِنكُمْ وَمَا هُم مِّنكُمْ وَلَـٰكِنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ يَفْرَقُونَ
And they swear by Allāh that they are from among you while they are not from among you; but they are a people who are afraid.
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ ٱئْذَن لِّى وَلَا تَفْتِنِّىٓ ۚ أَلَا فِى ٱلْفِتْنَةِ سَقَطُوا۟ ۗ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌۢ بِٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And among them is he who says, "Permit me [to remain at home] and do not put me to trial." Unquestionably, into trial they have fallen. And indeed, Hell will encompass the disbelievers.
۞ أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ نَافَقُوا۟ يَقُولُونَ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَئِنْ أُخْرِجْتُمْ لَنَخْرُجَنَّ مَعَكُمْ وَلَا نُطِيعُ فِيكُمْ أَحَدًا أَبَدًا وَإِن قُوتِلْتُمْ لَنَنصُرَنَّكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
Have you not considered those who practice hypocrisy, saying to their brothers [i.e., associates] who have disbelieved among the People of the Scripture, "If you are expelled, we will surely leave with you, and we will not obey, in regard to you, anyone - ever; and if you are fought, we will surely aid you." But Allāh testifies that they are liars.
وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ شَيَـٰطِينِهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers."