Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 28
Quran 16:28 · The Bee · Makki · Para 14 · Page 270
الَّذِیْنَ تَتَوَفّٰىهُمُ الْمَلٰٓىِٕكَةُ ظَالِمِیْۤ اَنْفُسِهِمْ ۪ فَاَلْقَوُا السَّلَمَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ مِنْ سُوْٓءٍ ؕ بَلٰۤی اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُوْنَ ۟
Transliteration
Allatheena tatawaffahumu almala-ikatuthalimee anfusihim faalqawoo assalamama kunna naAAmalu min soo-in bala inna AllahaAAaleemun bima kuntum taAAmaloon
Saheeh International
The ones whom the angels take in death [while] wronging themselves, and [who] then offer submission, [saying], "We were not doing any evil." But, yes! Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of what you used to do.
Al-Mukhtasar fi Tafsir
Those whose souls are taken by the angel of death and his aides while wronging themselves in their disbelief will submit with full surrender when death actually comes to them, and they will deny the disbelief and sins they used to do, thinking that such denial will be of benefit to them. It will be said to them: You have lied. You were disbelievers who used to commit sin. Allah knows everything that you used to do in the world. Nothing is hidden from Him and He will recompense you for that.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) on 16:28–16:29
Those whose lives the angels take while they are doing wrong to themselves. Then, they will (falsely) submit (saying): "We did not do any evil." (The angels will reply): "Yes! Truly, Allah is Most Knowing of what you did. (28)"So enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein, and indeed, what an evil abode there is for the arrogant. (29)
The Condition of the Disbeliever during and after Death
Allah informs us of the state of the idolators who are doing wrong to themselves when death approaches and the angels come to seize their evil souls.
فَأَلْقَوُا السَّلَمَ
(Then, they will (falsely) submit) meaning, they will make it appear as if they used to listen and obey by saying,
مَا كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ مِن سُوءٍ
(We did not do any evil.) Similarly, on the Day of Resurrection, they will say,
وَاللَّهِ رَبِّنَا مَا كُنَّا مُشْرِكِينَ
(By Allah, our Lord, we were not idolators.)[6:23]
يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيَحْلِفُونَ لَهُ كَمَا يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ
(On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all together; then they will swear to Him as they swear to you.)[58:18] Allah says, rejecting what they say,
بَلَىٰ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ - فَادْخُلُوا أَبْوَابَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ فَلَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ
("Yes! Truly, Allah is Most Knowing of what you did. So enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein, and indeed, what an evil abode there is for the arrogant.")(16:28-29),
meaning, a miserable position in the abode of humiliation for those who were too arrogant to pay attention to the signs of Allah and follow His Messengers. They will enter Hell from the day they die with their souls, and their bodies will feel the heat and hot winds of their graves. When the Day of Resurrec- tion comes, their souls will be reunited with their bodies, to abide forever in the fire of Hell, and
لَا يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَمُوتُوا وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُم مِّنْ عَذَابِهَا
(It will not be complete enough to kill them nor shall its torment be lightened for them.)(35:36) As Allah says,
النَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا ۖ وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُوا آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ الْعَذَابِ
(The Fire, they are exposed to it morning and afternoon. And on the Day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels): "Cause Fir'awn's people to enter the severest torment!")(40:46).