Surah Al-'Ankabut — Verse 4

Word Meanings:

• Am hasiba – Rather, do they think/suppose?
• Alladhīna ya‘malūna as-sayyi’āt – Those who commit evil deeds (i.e., sins, shirk, and disobedience).
• An yasbiqūnā – That they can outrun Us, escape Us, or frustrate Our power over them.
• Sā’a mā yahkumūn – Evil is what they judge/decide; how bad is their assumption and reasoning.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This verse addresses a profound misconception held by those who persist in evil—whether it be shirk (associating partners with Allah), disobedience, or transgression. Allah poses a rhetorical question, striking at the very core of their false confidence: "Do those who commit evil deeds truly imagine that they can outrun Us?"

The meaning is clear: do they think they can escape Allah’s grasp, evade His justice, or slip away from His punishment? Do they believe that their wealth, power, or worldly schemes can shield them from the One who created them and holds their every breath in His Hand?

The verse then delivers a devastating verdict: "Evil is what they judge!" — meaning, how terrible and corrupt is this assumption they hold about themselves! They have deceived themselves into believing they are secure, that they can flee from the consequences of their actions, and that Allah—who is ever-watchful and all-powerful—will not seize them.

This is a warning wrapped in mercy: no sinner should ever feel safe from Allah’s justice, and no one should think that their sins go unnoticed or unpunished. The One who created the heavens and the earth, who controls life and death, is certainly able to bring every soul to account. The idea of escaping Him is not only foolish—it is a grave misjudgment that leads to ruin.

A Call to Reflection:

Dear reader, let this verse awaken your heart. If you find yourself entangled in sin, do not be lulled by the illusion that you have time, that you are in control, or that Allah’s reckoning will never reach you. The door of repentance is wide open, and Allah’s mercy is vaster than your sins—but His justice is also certain.

The same Allah who warns the wrongdoers here is the One who says: *"Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful"* (Az-Zumar 39:53).

So, do not be among those who think they can outrun Him. Instead, be among those who run *towards* Him—with sincere repentance, humility, and love. For the One who is swift in reckoning is also the One who is quick to forgive those who turn back to Him. Choose the path of return before the moment when escape becomes impossible, and the only reality left is His perfect justice.