وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا سِجِّينٌ 8
Translations
And what can make you know what is sijjeen?
Transliteration
Wa mā adrāka mā sijjīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah introduces the concept of 'Sijjīn' (the register of the wicked), asking rhetorically 'what will make you know what Sijjīn is?' to emphasize the gravity and unknowable nature of this divine record. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that Sijjīn is the book in which the deeds of the wicked are recorded in the lowest depths, contrasting with 'Illiyyīn (the register of the righteous mentioned in 83:18). The rhetorical question structure conveys both the incomprehensibility of divine justice and the severe consequences awaiting those who defraud others.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Mutaffifin, which condemns those who cheat in weights and measures, a prevalent practice among Meccan merchants. The surah presents a stark contrast between the fate of the righteous and the wicked in the afterlife, with this ayah introducing the dire destination of those who persist in fraud and sin despite their awareness of accountability.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895), emphasizing integrity in dealings. Additionally, 'Whoever cheats is not from us' (Sahih Muslim 102) directly relates to the surah's condemnation of fraud.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that all actions are meticulously recorded by Allah and will have consequences beyond human comprehension, serving as a powerful deterrent against dishonesty and a call to maintain integrity in all dealings. The rhetorical question invites reflection on the weight of our deeds and the reality of divine justice that transcends worldly understanding.