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
تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِن فَوْقِهِنَّ ۚ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
The heavens almost break from above them, and the angels exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Unquestionably, it is Allāh who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا۟ فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا ۖ إِنْ عَلَيْكَ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ۗ وَإِنَّآ إِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنَّا رَحْمَةً فَرِحَ بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ فَإِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ كَفُورٌ
But if they turn away - then We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], over them as a guardian; upon you is only [the duty of] notification. And indeed, when We let man taste mercy from Us, he rejoices in it; but if evil afflicts him for what his hands have put forth, then indeed, man is ungrateful.
لَهُۥ مَقَالِيدُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is, of all things, Knowing.
كَذَٰلِكَ يُوحِىٓ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Thus has He revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and to those before you - Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.