خَافِضَةٌ رَّافِعَةٌ 3
Translations
It will bring down [some] and raise up [others].
Transliteration
Khāfidatun rāfi'ah
Tafsir (Explanation)
These two attributes describe the Day of Judgment as both lowering and raising—it abases the disbelievers and the arrogant while elevating the believers and the righteous. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as referring to the Trumpet blast (Nafakh) on the Day of Judgment, which will simultaneously humiliate some souls and honor others based on their deeds and faith. The ayah emphasizes the ultimate justice of Allah's divine reckoning where status in the afterlife is determined by one's righteousness, not worldly position.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the opening section of Surah Al-Waqi'ah, a Meccan surah that vividly describes the events and divisions of the Day of Judgment. The surah was revealed to the pagan Meccans to warn them of the inevitable Day of Resurrection when all will face divine justice, providing both warning and reassurance to the believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the Day of Judgment: 'The most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3956), reinforcing that honor on that Day depends on piety, not worldly status. Additionally, 'Whoever is lowered in status on the Day of Judgment, then he is truly lowered' (thematic reference to lowering and raising in the Hereafter).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that worldly rank and status are meaningless before Allah; what truly matters is our righteousness and faith. We should strive to live ethically and piously, knowing that Allah will honor the righteous and humble the arrogant on the Day of Judgment regardless of their earthly position.