Surah Yunus Tafseer

The Reward of the Wicked Criminals

Allah says;

وَالَّذِينَ كَسَبُواْ السَّيِّيَاتِ جَزَاء سَيِّيَةٍ بِمِثْلِهَا وَتَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ

And those who have earned evil deeds, the recompense of an evil deed is the like thereof, and humiliating disgrace will cover them (their faces).

After Allah told us about the state of those happy people who have done right and He promised increase in reward, He continued to tell us about the unlucky, miserable ones.

He told us about His justice with them. He will reward them with similar evil, without any increase

وَتَرْهَقُهُمْ

(and will cover them),

meaning that their faces will be covered and overtaken by humiliation because of their sins and their fear from these sins.

Similarly Allah said:

وَتَرَاهُمْ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا خَـشِعِينَ مِنَ الذُّلِّ

And you will see them brought forward to it, (Hell) made humble by disgrace. (42:45)

He also said:

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ اللَّهَ غَـفِلً عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ الظَّـلِمُونَ إِنَّمَا يُوَخِّرُهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ تَشْخَصُ فِيهِ الَابْصَـرُ

مُهْطِعِينَ مُقْنِعِى رُءُوسِهِمْ

Consider not that Allah is unaware of that which the wrongdoers do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror.

(They will be) hastening forward with necks outstretched, their heads raised up (towards the sky). (14:42�43)

Allah then said:

مَّا لَهُم مِّنَ اللّهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ

No defender will they have from Allah.

meaning, there will be no protectors to prevent them from punishment as Allah said:

يَقُولُ الاِنسَـنُ يَوْمَيِذٍ أَيْنَ الْمَفَرُّ

كَلَّ لَا وَزَرَ

إِلَى رَبِّكَ يَوْمَيِذٍ الْمُسْتَقَرُّ

On that Day man will say:"Where (is the refuge) to flee!"

No! There is no refuge! Unto your Lord (alone) will be the place of rest that Day. (75:10-12)

Allah's statement:

كَأَنَّمَا أُغْشِيَتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ قِطَعًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مُظْلِمًا

Their faces will be covered as it were pieces from the darkness of night.

means that their faces will be dark in the Hereafter.

This is similar to His statement:

يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَتَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْوَدَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ أَكْفَرْتُمْ بَعْدَ إِيمَـنِكُمْ فَذُوقُواْ الْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ

وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ ابْيَضَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فَفِى رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـلِدُونَ

On the Day (the Day of Resurrection) when some faces will become white and some faces will become black; as for those whose faces will become black (to them will be said):"Did you reject faith after accepting it! Then taste the torment (in Hell) for rejecting faith."

And for those whose faces will become white, they will be in Allah's mercy (Paradise), therein they shall dwell forever. (3:106-107)

He also said:

وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَيِذٍ مُّسْفِرَةٌ

ضَـحِكَةٌ مُّسْتَبْشِرَةٌ

وَوُجُوهٌ يَوْمَيِذٍ عَلَيْهَا غَبَرَةٌ

Some faces that Day will be bright, laughing, rejoicing at good news (of Paradise). And other faces that Day will be dust-stained. (80:38-40)

أُوْلَـيِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

They are the dwellers of the Fire, they will abide therein forever