إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَفْعَلُ بِٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ 34
Translations
Indeed, that is how We deal with the criminals.
Transliteration
Inna kadhalika nafAAalu bialmujourimeena
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah deals with criminals and wrongdoers in this manner—with punishment and humiliation. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the verse refers to the fate of the disbelievers and transgressors who reject Allah's signs, emphasizing that Divine punishment is a consistent law applied to all who commit crimes against Allah and His creation. The phrase 'kadhalika' (thus/in this manner) connects to the preceding narrative about the fate of those who denied the truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah As-Saffat, which is a Meccan surah primarily concerned with refuting polytheism and affirming Allah's oneness and justice. The broader context discusses the punishment awaiting those who reject faith and commit transgressions, serving as a warning to the Meccan disbelievers during the early Islamic period.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent,' (Sahih Bukhari 6018), emphasizing the accountability of wrongdoers. Also relevant is the hadith: 'The curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers,' (Sunan Ibn Majah), which relates to Divine punishment for criminals.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that wrongdoing and rejection of truth carry inevitable consequences in the sight of Allah, serving as a deterrent against crime and transgression. It encourages believers to uphold justice and morality, knowing that Allah's punishment for criminals is certain and consistent.
Related Ayahs
وَكَمْ قَصَمْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ كَانَتْ ظَالِمَةً وَأَنشَأْنَا بَعْدَهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ
And how many a city which was unjust have We shattered and produced after it another people.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا صَـٰلِحًا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَمِنْ خِزْىِ يَوْمِئِذٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ
So when Our command came, We saved Ṣāliḥ and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us, and [saved them] from the disgrace of that day. Indeed, it is your Lord who is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَعَقَرُوهَا فَدَمْدَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُم بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسَوَّىٰهَا
But they denied him and hamstrung her. So their Lord brought down upon them destruction for their sin and made it equal [upon all of them].
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and of those before them. They disbelieved in the signs of Allāh, so Allāh seized them for their sins. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and severe in penalty.