وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَنِ ٱلصِّرَٰطِ لَنَـٰكِبُونَ 74
Translations
But indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter are deviating from the path.
Transliteration
Wa-inna alladhina la yu'minuna bi-al-akhirati ani al-sirat la-nakibun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that those who disbelieve in the afterlife are deviant and turned away from the Straight Path (al-Sirat al-Mustaqim). The word 'nakibun' (نَـٰكِبُونَ) means those who have turned aside, strayed, or gone astray from guidance. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that rejection of the hereafter inevitably leads to moral and spiritual deviation in this life, as the disbeliever lacks the fundamental motivation for righteous conduct—accountability before Allah on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Mu'minun (Meccan surah), which emphasizes the characteristics of true believers and contrasts them with the disbelievers. The broader context addresses the disbelievers' mockery of the Qur'an and resurrection. This ayah specifically highlights how denial of the afterlife becomes the root cause of spiritual deviation and misguidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari 6018), emphasizing how belief in the afterlife directly influences righteous behavior. Additionally, the hadith 'The best of you are those who have the best character' (Jami' al-Tirmidhi 3662) reflects how true faith manifests in straight conduct.
Themes
Key Lesson
Belief in the Day of Judgment is not merely a doctrinal matter but a foundational principle that shapes one's entire moral compass and keeps one upon the Straight Path. For believers, maintaining strong conviction in the afterlife serves as a constant spiritual anchor that prevents deviation and promotes ethical conduct in all aspects of life.