فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا يَمْلِكُ بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ نَّفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا وَنَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ 42
Translations
But today [i.e., the Day of Judgement] you do not hold for one another [the power of] benefit or harm, and We will say to those who wronged, "Taste the punishment of the Fire, which you used to deny."
Transliteration
Fa-alyawma lā yamlik ba'ḍukum li-ba'ḍin naf'an wa-lā ḍarran wa-naqūl lilladhīna ẓalamū dhūqū 'adhāb an-nāri allatī kuntum bihā tukadhdhibūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when mutual help and harm between people becomes impossible, and the wrongdoers are commanded to taste the punishment of Hell—the very Fire they denied in the worldly life. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this emphasizes the complete severance of worldly relationships and power dynamics on that Day, as each soul will be concerned only with its own fate. The emphasis on 'the Fire which you used to deny' underscores that denial of truth in this life leads directly to experiencing its consequences in the afterlife.
Revelation Context
Surah Saba is a Meccan surah that addresses the themes of prophethood, resurrection, and divine judgment in response to Meccan disbelief. This particular ayah appears in the context of describing scenes from the Day of Judgment, where Allah refutes the arguments of polytheists and those who associated partners with Him, emphasizing the helplessness they will experience when their worldly power and alliances no longer avail them.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, a person will flee from their father, mother, and spouse' (Sahih Bukhari 4730), which illustrates the isolation and severance of relationships described in this ayah. Additionally, the Prophet (ﷺ) warned: 'The Fire will be brought close to them morning and evening' (Surah Ghaafir 46), relating to the punishment of those who denied.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that all worldly power, wealth, and relationships will be useless on the Day of Judgment, encouraging sincere devotion to Allah rather than reliance on material means or human connections. It also serves as a stern warning to those who deny the signs of Allah, that their denial will not protect them from the reality of divine punishment in the afterlife.