يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَتَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْوَدَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ أَكَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَـٰنِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ 106
Translations
On the Day [some] faces will turn white and [some] faces will turn black. As for those whose faces turn black, [to them it will be said], "Did you disbelieve [i.e., reject faith] after your belief? Then taste the punishment for what you used to reject."
Transliteration
Yawma tabyaddu wujuhun wa tasawaddu wujuh. Fa-amma alladhina iswaddat wujuhuhum a-kafartum ba'da imanikum fa-dhooqu al-adhaba bima kuntum takfurun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when faces will be brightened (those of believers) and darkened (those of disbelievers and apostates). The ayah specifically addresses those whose faces become black—referring to those who rejected faith after having accepted it—and condemns them to punishment for their disbelief. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the darkening of faces symbolizes shame, disgrace, and the manifestation of one's spiritual state on the Day of Resurrection, while the whitening of faces represents honor and divine favor.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ali 'Imran (a Medinan surah), revealed in the context of discussing the trials of believers and the distinction between the sincere and the hypocrites. It follows verses addressing believers' covenant with Allah and appears in the broader context of explaining the consequences of faith and disbelief on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, some faces will be bright (white) and some will be dark (black). Those with bright faces will be in mercy, and those with dark faces will be told: Did you not believe after your belief? So taste the punishment.' (Related in themes to Tirmidhi and other collections on the signs of the Day of Judgment). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the Prophet's description of people on the Day of Resurrection being gathered on a white plain.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the eternal consequences of rejecting faith and serves as a warning against apostasy, emphasizing that one's deeds and spiritual condition will be revealed on the Day of Judgment. For modern readers, it underscores the importance of steadfastness in faith and sincere belief, as outward profession without inner conviction will be exposed before Allah.