إِنَّا نَحْنُ نُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُوا۟ وَءَاثَـٰرَهُمْ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَـٰهُ فِىٓ إِمَامٍ مُّبِينٍ 12
Translations
Indeed, it is We who bring the dead to life and record what they have put forth and what they left behind, and all things We have enumerated in a clear register.
Transliteration
Inna nahnu nuhyi al-mawta wa naktubу ma qaddamู wa atharuhum wa kulla shay'in ahsaynahu fi imamin mubin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah alone has the power to resurrect the dead and that He meticulously records every deed and consequence of the actions of His servants in a clear, preserved record (the Preserved Tablet - Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz). Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this verse establishes Allah's complete knowledge and control over all affairs, while Al-Tabari notes that 'what they have sent forward' refers to good and evil deeds, and 'their traces' refers to the effects and legacies left behind by individuals.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ya-Sin, a Meccan chapter focused on resurrection, divine power, and warnings to those who deny the Day of Judgment. It contextually addresses the disbelievers' rejection of the resurrection and serves as evidence of Allah's ability to restore life to the dead, which was a central point of contention during the Meccan period.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'When a human being dies, his deeds end except for three: a continuing charity, knowledge by which people benefit, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him' (Sahih Muslim 1631). This hadith relates to 'their traces' mentioned in the ayah, referring to the ongoing effects of one's actions after death.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that no action—whether visible or hidden—escapes Allah's knowledge and record, encouraging accountability and conscious living. It provides comfort that our good deeds and positive legacies persist in Allah's perfect record, inspiring righteous conduct motivated by divine awareness rather than worldly recognition.