وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْبُدُونَ 92
Translations
And it will be said to them, "Where are those you used to worship
Transliteration
Wa qeela lahum ayna ma kuntum ta'budoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
On the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will be questioned about the false gods and idols they worshipped in this life. This ayah emphasizes the accountability believers will face for their choices and the absurdity of their polytheistic worship, as their invented deities will be unable to respond or help them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this represents a moment of profound humiliation and realization for those who rejected monotheism.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the middle section of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which is a Meccan surah primarily focused on warning the disbelievers of Mecca about the Day of Judgment and the consequences of rejecting the prophets. The broader context describes the scenes of the Day of Resurrection, where the arrogant will be confronted with the reality of their deeds and false beliefs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, the sun will be brought close to the creation, and people will sweat according to their deeds.' (Sahih Bukhari 6529). Additionally, Surah Al-Anbiya 21:29 complements this theme: 'And [mention, O Muhammad], when We said to the angels, 'Indeed, Allah will choose from among you messengers.'"
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that all our actions and beliefs are recorded and we will be held accountable for them before Allah. It serves as a powerful warning against following false ideologies or gods—whether literal idols or the metaphorical 'gods' of wealth, status, and desires—and encourages sincere devotion to Allah alone.