Surah Qaf 50:28
سُورَةُ قٓ · Meccan · Verse 28 of 45
قَالَ لَا تَخْتَصِمُوا۟ لَدَىَّ وَقَدْ قَدَّمْتُ إِلَيْكُم بِٱلْوَعِيدِ
Translation
God will say, ‘Do not argue in My presence. I sent you a warning
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
On the Day of Judgment, when humanity stands before Allah, we hear a profound statement in this verse. Allah Himself speaks to the disbelievers, who are caught in mutual blame and argument.
A Futile Argument
The verse opens with Allah saying, `لا تَخْتَصِمُوا۟ لَدَىَّ` (Do not dispute before Me). The word `تَخْتَصِمُوا۟` (takhtasimoo) carries a specific weight. As Ibn Ashur explains, its Arabic form (tafa'ul) indicates a mutual exchange of blame and argument. It implies that these disbelievers, who once followed and led each other astray in the worldly life, are now engaged in a heated dispute, each trying to shift responsibility onto the other.
However, Allah immediately silences them. The phrase `لَدَىَّ` (ladayya), meaning "before Me" or "with Me," underscores that they are in the ultimate court, in the very presence of the Supreme Judge. In this solemn place of final reckoning, their attempts to argue or shift blame are utterly pointless. As al-Razi observes, this implies that any disputation or seeking of excuses should have happened *before* this moment, in their earthly lives, when repentance was still possible. Now, it's too late; no argument will change the pre-determined outcome.
The Prior Warning
Allah then states the reason for this futility: `وَقَدْ قَدَّمْتُ إِلَيْكُم بِٱلْوَعِيدِ` (And I had already presented to you the warning). The connecting letter `و` (wa) here functions as a conjunction of state, indicating that the warning was a prior condition, making their present arguments invalid. The phrase `قَدْ قَدَّمْتُ` (qad qaddamtu) emphasizes that the warning was given with certainty and well in advance. `قدمت` (qaddamtu) literally means "I put forth" or "I presented," conveying that Allah proactively and clearly communicated the threats (`الوعيد`, al-wa'eed) of punishment for disbelief and disobedience through His scriptures and messengers.
The Arabic letter `ب` (ba') in `بِٱلْوَعِيدِ` (bil-wa'eed) can be understood in a couple of ways, as scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Razi note. It could be an additional particle for emphasis, meaning, "I certainly delivered the warning to you." Or it could imply that the warning was *accompanied by* or *part of* what Allah presented. Either way, the core message is clear: there was no lack of guidance or notification. Allah's justice is perfect; He never punishes without prior warning. Their accountability is a direct result of their choices despite being fully informed.
This verse, therefore, highlights the finality of divine judgment and the absolute justice of Allah, Who gives ample warnings before holding His creation accountable.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Qaf 50:28 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Qaf 50:28 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.