Az-Zukhruf · Makki · ayah 83 of 89

Az-Zukhruf 43:83

فَذَرْهُمْ يَخُوضُوا۟ وَيَلْعَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُوا۟ يَوْمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ

“So leave them to converse vainly and amuse themselves until they meet their Day which they are promised.”

Saheeh International

Essence

After the proof, those absorbed in wealth and status are left to their busy play, until the promised Day arrives.

A reflection

Leave them, and keep teaching

This command appears in almost the same words in 70:42. Here it has a particular place.

One classical theologian explains the sequence. The previous ayat gave a decisive proof that Allah has no son. Then comes: leave them to wade and play. They did not turn to the proof, he says, because they were absorbed in pursuing wealth, prestige and leadership.

That fits this surah exactly. It is Az-Zukhruf, gold ornament. It has shown people who judged worth by silver roofs and gold bracelets (43:33–35, 43:53). Their 'play' is that life.

But notice what happens next. The very next ayah teaches again: He is God in the heavens and God on earth (43:84). Then: blessed is He who owns the heavens and the earth (43:85). Then: the false gods own no intercession (43:86). 'Leave them' did not end the teaching. It ended the argument with those who had already decided.

Picture a volunteer at a library homework club. One teenager spends every session trying to provoke her into debates. She answers twice, carefully. Then she smiles, stops engaging, and turns to help the two quiet students at the next table. She has not given up on anyone. She has redirected her energy to those still listening.

That is the shape of the passage. The proof is given. The players are left. And the teaching continues for anyone who will hear.

The full entry has 2 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.