أَمْ نَجْعَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ كَٱلْفُجَّارِ 28
Translations
Or should We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like corrupters in the land? Or should We treat those who fear Allāh like the wicked?
Transliteration
Am najʿalu alladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū al-sālihāti ka-al-mufsidīna fī al-ard am najʿalu al-muttaqīna ka-al-fujjār
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question condemning the notion that the believers who have faith and perform righteous deeds would be treated the same as those who spread corruption on earth, or that the God-fearing would be equated with the wicked and disobedient. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse establishes a fundamental principle of divine justice: Allah will inevitably differentiate between the righteous and the wicked in this life and the Hereafter. The rhetorical structure emphasizes the absurdity and injustice of treating these groups equally, affirming Allah's perfect judgment and wisdom.
Revelation Context
Surah Sad is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense persecution of early Muslims. This ayah comes within a broader context (verses 24-27) addressing the responses to the Quran, and serves to reassure believers that despite apparent worldly prosperity of some disbelievers, Allah's justice ensures ultimate differentiation between the faithful and the corrupt.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim (2807): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The likeness of the believers in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion is that of one body; when one of its limbs aches, the whole body responds.' This complements the ayah by emphasizing the distinct character and unity of believers. Also relevant is Surah Al-Imran 3:180 where Allah speaks of distinguishing between those who do good and those who do evil.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reassures believers that despite apparent worldly inequalities, Allah's justice is perfect and absolute—the righteous and wicked will never be treated alike in His sight. For modern Muslims, it serves as motivation to maintain integrity and righteousness, knowing that sincere faith and good deeds have eternal value in Allah's judgment, even if worldly rewards appear delayed.
Related Ayahs
لَعَلِّىٓ أَعْمَلُ صَـٰلِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ ۚ كَلَّآ ۚ إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَآئِلُهَا ۖ وَمِن وَرَآئِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind." No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
And they who disbelieved and denied Our signs - for those there will be a humiliating punishment.
مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ ضَلُّوا۟ عَنَّا بَل لَّمْ نَكُن نَّدْعُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ شَيْـًٔا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Other than Allāh?" They will say, "They have departed from us; rather, we did not used to invoke previously anything." Thus does Allāh put astray the disbelievers.
وَتَصْلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ
And burning in Hellfire.