وَإِذَا ٱلْمَوْءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتْ 8
Translations
And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked
Transliteration
Wa idha al-maw'udatu su'ilat
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the female infant who was buried alive during the pre-Islamic period (Jahiliyyah). On the Day of Judgment, she will be asked about the sin committed against her—specifically, why she was killed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah questioning the father or guardian who committed this act of infanticide, holding them accountable for this grave transgression. The ayah emphasizes divine justice and the preservation of innocent life.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Takwir is a Meccan surah describing the Day of Judgment and the cosmic upheaval that will occur. This ayah specifically addresses the practice of female infanticide, which was prevalent in pre-Islamic Arabia. The surah condemns such practices by showing that even the victims will testify against their killers on the Day of Judgment, reinforcing that no sin goes unaccounted for.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever kills a soul, it is as if he has killed all of mankind.' (Quran 5:32). Additionally, regarding the questioning on the Day of Judgment, the Prophet stated: 'The first thing the slave will be asked about on the Day of Judgment is his life and how he spent it.' (Tirmidhi)
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that every action, no matter how hidden, will be brought to account on the Day of Judgment, and that protecting innocent life—especially the vulnerable—is a fundamental Islamic duty. It calls believers to reject all forms of violence and injustice, knowing that ultimate justice belongs to Allah alone.
Related Ayahs
لِيَجْزِىَ ٱللَّهُ كُلَّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ
So that Allāh will recompense every soul for what it earned. Indeed, Allāh is swift in account.
وَٱلَّذَانِ يَأْتِيَـٰنِهَا مِنكُمْ فَـَٔاذُوهُمَا ۖ فَإِن تَابَا وَأَصْلَحَا فَأَعْرِضُوا۟ عَنْهُمَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا
And the two who commit it [i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse] among you - punish [i.e., dishonor] them both. But if they repent and correct themselves, leave them alone. Indeed, Allāh is ever Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.
قُل لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يَغْفِرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ أَيَّامَ ٱللَّهِ لِيَجْزِىَ قَوْمًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], to those who have believed that they [should] forgive those who expect not the days of Allāh [i.e., of His retribution] so that He may recompense a people for what they used to earn.
وَإِذَا حُشِرَ ٱلنَّاسُ كَانُوا۟ لَهُمْ أَعْدَآءً وَكَانُوا۟ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ كَـٰفِرِينَ
And when the people are gathered [that Day], they [who were invoked] will be enemies to them, and they will be deniers of their worship.