أَفَمَن زُيِّنَ لَهُۥ سُوٓءُ عَمَلِهِۦ فَرَءَاهُ حَسَنًا ۖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ فَلَا تَذْهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسَرَٰتٍ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ 8
Translations
Then is one to whom the evil of his deed has been made attractive so he considers it good [like one rightly guided]? For indeed, Allāh sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. So do not let yourself perish over them in regret. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of what they do.
Transliteration
Afaman zuyyina lahu suoo AAamalihi faraaahu hasanan fainna Allaha yudillu man yashao wayahdee man yashao fala tadhab nafsuka AAalayhim hasaratin inna Allaha AAaleemun bima yasnaAAoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those whose evil deeds have been made attractive to them, so they perceive their wrongdoing as good—a spiritual blindness that comes as divine misguidance for those Allah wills to lead astray, just as He guides whom He wills. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this refers to the natural consequence of persistent rejection of truth; the heart becomes sealed and evil becomes beautified to the person. The concluding instruction to the Prophet not to grieve over them serves as consolation, affirming that Allah's perfect knowledge encompasses all their actions and they will face ultimate accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Fatir, which addresses the themes of creation, divine power, and the contrast between believers and disbelievers. The broader context (35:5-11) discusses how people are deceived by worldly desires and how some are granted understanding while others remain in darkness. This ayah specifically addresses the spiritual condition of those so entrenched in disbelief that their perception of right and wrong becomes inverted.
Related Hadiths
Related to the concept of hardened hearts: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'When a believer commits a sin, a black spot appears on his heart, and if he repents, it is polished away; but if he continues, it increases until it covers his whole heart' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi). Also relevant: 'The greatest jihad is the struggle against one's own soul' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi), relating to resisting the beautification of evil.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that persistent sin and rejection of truth can corrupt one's moral compass, making evil appear good—a spiritual danger we must guard against through constant self-reflection and adherence to divine guidance. For those who witness others in this state, we are reminded to extend effort in calling them to truth while accepting that ultimate guidance rests with Allah alone, not our emotional distress over their choices.