Surah Sad — Verse 63

Word Meanings:

• Sikhriyyan (سِخْرِيًّا): Mockery, ridicule, or treating someone with scorn and contempt.
• Zaghat (زَاغَتْ): Turned aside, deviated, or strayed from seeing something correctly.
• Al-Absar (الْأَبْصَارُ): The eyesights, the visions, or the perceptions of sight.

Tafsir (Explanation):

In this verse, we hear the desperate words of the arrogant tyrants and rebellious leaders as they find themselves in the torment of Hellfire. They look around, bewildered, and ask: "What is wrong with us? Why do we not see those men whom we used to count among the worst of people in the world?"

These were the believers — the poor, the weak, the followers of the prophets — whom the tyrants used to mock and humiliate in their earthly life. They would scoff at them, saying, "Are these the ones whom Allah has favored among us?" Now, in the Hereafter, the tables have turned completely. The tyrants are in punishment, and they wonder: where are those believers? Are they not here with us?

Their question reflects two possibilities that haunt them:

1. Either our mockery of them was a mistake — meaning, we were wrong in considering them lowly and despicable. Perhaps they were actually noble and honored in the sight of Allah, and therefore they are not here in the Fire with us, but rather in Paradise. This thought fills them with even greater regret and anguish.
2. Or they are here with us, but our eyes have turned away from seeing them — meaning, perhaps they are being punished alongside us, but we simply cannot perceive them due to the darkness, the vastness of the Fire, or the distortion of our vision in that terrifying place.

Either way, this verse captures the profound confusion, humiliation, and psychological torment of the dwellers of Hellfire. They realize too late that their arrogance and mockery in this world were utterly misguided. The very people they ridiculed are now the successful ones, while they themselves are in utter loss.

A Call to Reflection:

Dear reader, pause and reflect on this powerful scene. The mockery of the believers is a dangerous disease of the heart. When you see a poor believer, a simple worshipper, or someone whom society considers "lowly," never look down upon them. Perhaps they are beloved to Allah, and their place in Paradise is guaranteed, while you remain heedless.

The Quran teaches us that true honor is not in wealth, status, or appearance — but in piety and faith. The people whom the tyrants mocked in this world are the very ones who will be honored in the Hereafter. So be careful: the person you laugh at today may be the one who intercedes for others tomorrow, while you stand in regret.

Let this verse be a warning to purify your heart from arrogance and ridicule. And let it be a source of comfort for every believer who has been mocked or humiliated for their faith — for Allah sees your patience, and He will elevate you in ways you cannot imagine. The Hereafter is the true measure of success, and there, the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.