وَأَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلشِّمَالِ مَآ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلشِّمَالِ 41
Translations
And the companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?
Transliteration
Wa ashaab ash-shimaal maa ashaab ash-shimaal
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah introduces the people of the left hand (ashab ash-shimaal), who are the inhabitants of Hell on the Day of Judgment, contrasting them with the people of the right hand mentioned in the previous ayah. The rhetorical question 'What are the people of the left hand?' emphasizes their wretched state and serves as a transitional device before describing their punishment and despair. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that 'the left' symbolizes misfortune and evil deeds, as opposed to 'the right' which symbolizes righteousness and honor.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Waqi'ah was revealed in Mecca during the middle Meccan period and addresses the certainty of the Day of Judgment and the final resurrection. This ayah appears in the section describing the three categories of people on the Day of Judgment: the foremost (as-sabiqun), the people of the right hand, and the people of the left hand, emphasizing divine justice and accountability.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 3209: The Prophet (peace be upon him) described the people of Paradise and Hell, noting that actions determine one's final abode. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the right hand and left hand being used to distribute deeds, with righteous deeds ascribed to the right and evil deeds to the left.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that our actions in this life determine our eternal destination, motivating us to continuously strive for righteousness and fear the consequences of straying from Allah's guidance, while understanding that ultimate justice belongs to the All-Knowing.