حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُو قَالَ أَكَذَّبْتُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِى وَلَمْ تُحِيطُوا۟ بِهَا عِلْمًا أَمَّاذَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ 84
Translations
Until, when they arrive [at the place of Judgement], He will say, "Did you deny My signs while you encompassed them not in knowledge, or what [was it that] you were doing?"
Transliteration
Hattá idhá jáoo qála akadhabbtum bi-áyátī wa lam tuhītoo bihá ilman ammádhá kuntum taámaloon
Tafsir (Explanation)
On the Day of Judgment, Allah will question the disbelievers, asking them whether they rejected His signs despite not having comprehensive knowledge of them, and what deeds they were performing instead of obeying Him. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes the injustice of rejecting divine signs without understanding them fully, and highlights how disbelievers will be unable to justify their rejection before Allah on the Day of Reckoning.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Naml's depiction of scenes from the Day of Judgment, specifically addressing how Allah will confront the disbelievers with their rejection of His signs and their ignorance. It comes in the broader context of the surah's themes of Allah's power, wisdom, and the reality of the afterlife, warning listeners about accountability before their Lord.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim relates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your rewards on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is kept away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has succeeded.' This hadith relates to the accountability described in this ayah. Additionally, At-Tirmidhi records the Prophet's warning about rejecting knowledge and guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that ignorance is not an excuse for rejecting Allah's clear signs and guidance—every soul is responsible for seeking knowledge and acting upon it. For modern readers, it serves as a powerful reminder to earnestly pursue understanding of Islamic teachings rather than dismissing them, as we will be questioned about our deeds and intentions before Allah.