As-Sajdah Verse 18

Is the one who is a believer equal ˹before Allah˺ to the one who is rebellious? They are not equal!

Is one who is a believer like one who is an evildoer? They are not equal.

What? Is he who has been a believer like unto him who has been ungodly? They are not equal.

So, is someone who believes equal to someone who defies God? No, they are not equal.

Shall he, therefore, who is a believer, be like unto him who is a transgressor? They are not equal.

Is then the man who believes no better than the man who is rebellious and wicked? Not equal are they.

Would a true believer be like him who was an evil-doer? Surely they are not equal.

Is one who is a believer like one who is a transgressor? No, they are not alike.

So will the believer ever be equal to the one who is lawless? They are not equal!

Is someone who is faithful like someone who is a transgressor? They are not equal.

Is, then, he who is a believer like him who is a transgressor? They are not equal.

What! can one who has been a believer (be treated) like one who has been a disobedient sinner. They cannot be alike.

Is who was believing as who was debauching ? They do not become equal/alike.

So will the believer ever be equal to the one who is lawless? They are not equal!

No soul knows what is hidden for them of that which will refresh the eyes (give them joy); a reward for what they did.

Is then he who is a believer like him who is Fasiq (disbeliever and disobedient to Allah)? Not equal are they.

They forsake (their) beds, calling upon their Lord in fear and in hope, and spend out of what We have given them.

Is he then who is a believer like him who is a transgressor? They are not equal.

Is he who is a believer like unto him who is an evil-liver? They are not alike.

Is a believer equal to an evil-doer? They are not equal at all.

Can he, then, who is a believer, be compared to he who is wicked? They are not equal.

Is then he who is a believer like him who is rebellious Not equal are they.

So, is someone who believes equal to someone who defies God? No, they are not equal.

Is someone who is faithful like someone who is a sinner? They are not equal.

Is he who is a believer like him who is a transgressor? They are not equal, namely, the believers and the transgressors.

The Believer and the Rebellious are not equal

Allah says;

أَفَمَن كَانَ مُوْمِنًا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقًا لاَّ يَسْتَوُونَ



Is then he who is a believer like him who is a rebellious! Not equal are they.

Allah tells us that in His justice and generosity, on the Day of Judgement He will not judge those who believed in His signs and followed His Messengers, in the same way as He will judge those who rebelled, disobeyed Him and rejected the Messengers sent by Allah to them.

This is like the Ayat;

أَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِينَ اجْتَرَحُواْ السَّيِّيَـتِ أَن نَّجْعَلَهُمْ كَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّـلِحَـتِ سَوَاءً مَّحْيَـهُمْ وَمَمَـتُهُمْ سَأءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous good deeds, in their present life and after their death Worst is the judgement that they make. (45;21)

أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّـلِحَـتِ كَالْمُفْسِدِينَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الْمُتَّقِينَ كَالْفُجَّارِ

Shall We treat those who believe and do righteous good deeds as corruptors on earth! Or shall We treat those who have Taqwa as the wicked! (38;28)

لَا يَسْتَوِى أَصْحَـبُ النَّارِ وَأَصْحَـبُ الْجَنَّةِ

Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise... (59;20)

Allah says;

أَفَمَن كَانَ مُوْمِنًا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقًا لاَّ يَسْتَوُونَ

Is then he who is a believer like him who is a rebellious! Not equal are they.

i.e., before Allah on the Day of Resurrection.

Ata' bin Yasar, As-Suddi and others mentioned that this was revealed concerning Ali bin Abi Talib and Uqbah bin Abi Mu`it. Hence Allah has judged between them when He said