وَمَا كَانَ لَنَا عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَـٰنٍۭ ۖ بَلْ كُنتُمْ قَوْمًا طَـٰغِينَ 30
Translations
And we had over you no authority, but you were a transgressing people.
Transliteration
Wa mā kāna lanā 'alaykum min sulṭān, bal kuntum qawman ṭāghīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is the words of the devils (or misguided leaders) on the Day of Judgment, declaring to their followers that they had no authority or power over them to compel them toward evil. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that the disbelievers will attempt to shift blame, but the devils will reject responsibility, asserting that the followers themselves were transgressors (ṭāghīn) who willingly chose disbelief and rebellion against Allah. This represents the moment when each soul will be held accountable for its own choices, as the leaders disclaim any binding power over their followers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah As-Saffat's depiction of the Day of Judgment and the dialogue between the damned in Hell. The broader theme addresses how those who led others astray and those who followed them will dispute on the Day of Resurrection, each attempting to evade responsibility for their transgressions.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Surah Ibrahim 14:21, where similar dialogues occur between leaders and followers. A relevant hadith principle is found in Sahih Muslim regarding personal accountability: 'Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock' (Sahih Muslim 1829), emphasizing individual responsibility before Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no one can compel another toward sin; each individual possesses free will and will be held accountable for their own choices on the Day of Judgment. It serves as a reminder that believers must not blindly follow leaders or societal pressures into disobedience, but rather take responsibility for their spiritual decisions.