قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا مَن قَدَّمَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا فَزِدْهُ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا فِى ٱلنَّارِ 61
Translations
They will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase for him double punishment in the Fire."
Transliteration
Qāloo rabbanaā man qaddama lanā hādhā fazidhu 'adhāban dhi'fā fī an-nār
Tafsir (Explanation)
The inhabitants of Hell cry out to their Lord, asking Him to increase the punishment of whoever led them astray in the worldly life. This ayah depicts the despair and regret of the damned as they recognize their seducers and wish for them to receive greater torment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a manifestation of the justice of Allah, where those who misled others to evil will face compounded punishment, while this statement also reflects the powerlessness and anguish of those in Hell.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Sad (Meccan chapter) in a passage describing the condition of the inhabitants of Hell on the Day of Judgment. The broader context (verses 59-64) depicts a dialogue between the people of Hell where they accuse their leaders and seducers, highlighting the theme of mutual blame and regret on the Day of Resurrection—a common Meccan theme intended to warn the polytheists of Mecca about the consequences of rejecting faith and following their leaders in disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever invites to guidance will have a reward like that of those who follow him, without any decrease in their reward. Whoever invites to misguidance will bear a burden like that of those who follow him, without any decrease in their burden' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). This hadith complements the ayah by showing that those who lead others astray bear responsibility for their followers' sins.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that those who deliberately mislead others toward evil—whether through false teaching, corrupt leadership, or moral example—will face compounded divine punishment, emphasizing that our influence over others carries grave spiritual responsibility both in this life and the next.
Related Ayahs
وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَفَرَّقُونَ
And the Day the Hour appears - that Day they will become separated.
فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جَمَعْنَـٰهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
So how will it be when We assemble them for a Day about which there is no doubt? And each soul will be compensated [in full for] what it earned, and they will not be wronged.
قُلْ أَتُحَآجُّونَنَا فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ وَلَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُخْلِصُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Do you argue with us about Allāh while He is our Lord and your Lord? For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. And we are sincere [in deed and intention] to Him."
أَمْ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱجْتَرَحُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن نَّجْعَلَهُمْ كَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَوَآءً مَّحْيَاهُمْ وَمَمَاتُهُمْ ۚ سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ
Or do those who commit evils think We will make them like those who have believed and done righteous deeds - [make them] equal in their life and their death? Evil is that which they judge [i.e., assume].