۞ قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم مَّلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ 11
Translations
Say, "The angel of death who has been entrusted with you will take you. Then to your Lord you will be returned."
Transliteration
Qul yatawaffaakum malaku al-mawti alladhi wukkila bikum thumma ila rabbikum turja'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs the Prophet (peace be upon him) to inform people that the Angel of Death, who has been appointed over them, will take their souls, after which they will be returned to their Lord for judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse establishes the reality of death as an appointed term and the certainty of returning to Allah, serving as a reminder of human mortality and divine accountability. The mention of the Angel of Death being specifically 'appointed' (wukkila) over each person underscores Allah's perfect knowledge and control over the timing and manner of each soul's departure.
Revelation Context
Surah As-Sajdah addresses fundamental beliefs about the Hereafter and resurrection. This ayah appears in the Meccan period when the Prophet was emphasizing core Islamic doctrines of monotheism, the resurrection, and the Day of Judgment to the disbelieving Quraysh. It forms part of a broader section discussing the certainty of death and the accountability that follows.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Angel of Death comes to the dying person and if he is good, he says: 'O good soul, come out to forgiveness from Allah and His pleasure,' but if he is evil, he says: 'O evil soul, come out to the wrath of Allah and His displeasure.'' (Tirmidhi 1067). Additionally, 'Every soul shall taste death' (Quran 3:185) is reinforced by the hadith in Sahih Muslim that the Angel of Death is more aware of the appointed time than any living creature.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that death is an inevitable reality appointed by Allah and should serve as a spiritual wake-up call to prepare for the Hereafter through righteous deeds. Understanding that we will all return to our Lord for judgment should foster piety, humility, and detachment from worldly pursuits, redirecting our focus toward eternal consequences.