Surah Al-Anbiya — Verse 23

Word Meanings:

• لَا يُسْأَلُ – He is not asked/questioned.
• عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ – about what He does.
• وَهُمْ يُسْأَلُونَ – while they (all creation) will be asked/questioned.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse establishes one of the clearest signs of Allah's absolute sovereignty and unique divinity. Allah, the Exalted, is the sole Owner and Disposer of all affairs. He is not questioned about His actions, His decrees, or His judgments — not because He is above accountability in a tyrannical sense, but because His wisdom, justice, and mercy are perfect and absolute. He places everything in its proper place, and His actions are always right, just, and free from any flaw or defect. No one can ask Him, "Why did You do this?" because His knowledge encompasses all, His wisdom is infinite, and His will is the ultimate standard of what is good and correct.

In contrast, all of creation — humans, jinn, and every being endowed with responsibility — will be questioned about their deeds. They are true servants of Allah, and their actions are subject to judgment because they possess free will, and their deeds are mixed with shortcomings, errors, and imperfections. On the Day of Resurrection, every soul will be asked about what it did in this life, and it will be recompensed accordingly.

This verse carries a profound lesson: it humbles the believer, reminding them of their position as a servant before the Almighty. It also instills a sense of awe and reverence for Allah's majesty, while simultaneously encouraging the believer to be mindful of their own actions, knowing that they will be held accountable. At the same time, it brings comfort to the believer — for whatever Allah decrees, whether ease or hardship, is from His perfect wisdom, and He is never unjust to anyone.

A Da'wah Reflection:

This verse is an invitation to reflect on the nature of true sovereignty. In human systems, rulers are often questioned, criticized, and held accountable because their knowledge is limited and their judgments can be flawed. But Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is free from all imperfection. His actions are not subject to human questioning because He is the source of all wisdom and justice. When a believer understands this, their heart finds peace — they accept Allah's decree with contentment, knowing that behind every divine decision lies infinite mercy and wisdom. And when they realize that they themselves will be questioned, they strive to live righteously, seeking Allah's pleasure in all they do. This balance — trust in Allah's perfect justice and personal accountability — is the essence of a balanced Islamic worldview. It is an invitation to submit wholeheartedly to the One who deserves all worship, and to live a life of purpose, knowing that every deed will be seen and every action will be weighed.