English Translation of Al-Quran
[33].Surah Al-Ahzab [The Confederates]
Ayat 66. On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: “Oh, would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger (Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH).”
Tafseer of Surah Al Ahzab (The Confederates) Ayat 66. The Day that their faces will be turned upside down in the Fire, they will say: “Woe to us! Would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger.” The face is the expression of their Personality, their Self; and turning upside down is a sign of degradation and ignominy. When the Retribution comes, the evil ones will be humiliated, and they will wish that they had followed the right guidance when they had the chance. They will then fall to accusing their leaders who misled them. But they forget their own personal responsibility.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, “Man’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earned it, and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out.”
[At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 2417].
Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 66. “Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: “Oh, would that we had obeyed Allah” 1. This Hadith first of all highlights the importance and value of this transitory life, every breath of which is invaluable. Not a moment of it should, therefore, be wasted in the disobedience of Allah because one shall also be made to account for it.
- Man shall also be answerable for his knowledge. Here, we find an inducement for acquiring religious knowledge because that alone is beneficial for him. He should make use of his knowledge for winning the pleasure of Allah. If he does not do that then he must think about the justification for not doing so. He must also think how he would be facing Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
- The question in respect of wealth raised in this Hadith clearly shows that one should earn wealth by legitimate means only and spend it strictly in a lawful manner. If he takes unfair means of income or squanders it, he will be sinful and required to account for the violation of the Divine injunctions.
- One should protect his body from everything that is unlawful and force himself to submit to the Divine injunctions. When he is asked to account for neglecting them, it will be difficult for him to escape the consequences of accountability.
In short, this Hadith makes one conscious of accountability so that one keeps it all the time in view so that he will be saved from humiliation on the Day of Resurrection. How nice would it really be if one bears the accountability of the Day of Resurrection always in mind!
