ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ ۗ وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَرِيبٌ 17
Translations
It is Allāh who has sent down the Book in truth and [also] the balance [i.e., justice]. And what will make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near.
Transliteration
Allahu alladhi anzala al-kitaba bil-haqqi wa-al-mizan. Wa-ma yudrika laAAalla as-saaAAata qareeb.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah is the One who revealed the Book (Quran) with truth and established justice (al-mizan) as a fundamental principle for humanity. The ayah concludes with a reminder of the proximity of the Hour, emphasizing that the Day of Judgment may come suddenly, so believers should not delay in following the guidance of the Quran and establishing justice. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret 'al-mizan' both literally as the scales of justice and metaphorically as the balance and equilibrium in all divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shuraa, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes monotheism, divine attributes, and the universal principles of Allah's guidance. The surah focuses on the consultation (shura) principle and divine wisdom, with this particular ayah serving as a transition emphasizing that the Quran and justice are interconnected divine gifts, and believers should remain mindful of accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best among you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3895), relating to implementing justice within communities. Also relevant is: 'Verily, Allah commands justice and good conduct' (Quran 16:90), which echoes the emphasis on al-mizan in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that justice is not merely a social concept but a divine command woven into the fabric of revelation itself, and that awareness of the Day of Judgment should motivate us to establish fairness and truth in all our dealings. We must recognize that the Quran provides both spiritual guidance and practical principles for creating a just society, and our accountability before Allah should inspire urgent action toward righteousness.
Related Ayahs
أَوْ يُوبِقْهُنَّ بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَيَعْفُ عَن كَثِيرٍ
Or He could destroy them for what they earned; but He pardons much.
فَلِذَٰلِكَ فَٱدْعُ ۖ وَٱسْتَقِمْ كَمَآ أُمِرْتَ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ ۖ وَقُلْ ءَامَنتُ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن كِتَـٰبٍ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَعْدِلَ بَيْنَكُمُ ۖ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ ۖ لَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ ۖ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ ۖ ٱللَّهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
So to that [religion of Allāh] invite, [O Muḥammad], and remain on a right course as you are commanded and do not follow their inclinations but say, "I have believed in what Allāh has revealed of scripture [i.e., the Qur’ān], and I have been commanded to do justice among you. Allāh is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds, and for you your deeds. There is no [need for] argument between us and you. Allāh will bring us together, and to Him is the [final] destination."
۞ وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا أَوْ مِن وَرَآئِ حِجَابٍ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ رَسُولًا فَيُوحِىَ بِإِذْنِهِۦ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ
And it is not for any human being that Allāh should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger [i.e., angel] to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise.
وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن وَلِىٍّ مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۗ وَتَرَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ لَمَّا رَأَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ يَقُولُونَ هَلْ إِلَىٰ مَرَدٍّ مِّن سَبِيلٍ
And he whom Allāh sends astray - for him there is no protector beyond Him. And you will see the wrongdoers, when they see the punishment, saying, "Is there for return [to the former world] any way?"