As we move into the seventh Juz of the Qur’an, we arrive at one of the most moving conversations recorded anywhere in Revelation. It is not a conversation that took place in this world, but one that will take place on the Day of Judgment between Allah and Prophet ʿĪsā (as). So certain is this event that the Qur’an describes it in the past tense, as though it has already happened.
Earlier in the passage, Allah asks ʿĪsā (as) a question that leaves no room for ambiguity:
“Did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as two gods besides Allah’?” (5:116)
The Prophet immediately absolves himself of the claim. He explains that he conveyed nothing except what Allah commanded him to convey, that he remained a witness over his people while he was among them, and that once Allah caused him to pass, Allah alone remained the Watcher over them.
Yet what follows is perhaps the most touching part of the entire conversation.
إِنْ تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ وَإِنْ تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
"If You punish them, then they are Your servants; and if You forgive them, then surely You are the Almighty, the All-Wise." (Qur'an 5:118)
A Plea Wrapped in Humility
At first glance, these words simply acknowledge Allah’s complete sovereignty. If Allah chooses to punish, no one can object. If He chooses to forgive, no one can question His judgement. Many scholars, however, have seen something else within the wording.
Notice what ʿĪsā (as) does not say. He does not ask Allah directly to forgive his people. He does not argue their case, nor does he attempt to excuse what they did. Instead, he leaves the entire matter in Allah’s Hands, expressing complete confidence that whatever Allah decides will be perfectly consistent with His wisdom and His might.
It is difficult to imagine a more respectful form of appeal. It is almost as though he says: “My Lord, they belong to You. If You punish them, they are Your servants. If You forgive them, that forgiveness can never diminish Your justice, Your wisdom, or Your authority.”
Whether one describes this as an implicit plea or simply as the highest expression of prophetic etiquette, it is a remarkable moment of humility before Allah.
An Unexpected Answer
What makes the passage especially fascinating is what comes next. One might expect Allah’s reply to continue the discussion about forgiveness or punishment. Instead, the direction of the conversation changes completely.
Allah says:
قَالَ اللَّهُ هَذَا يَوْمُ يَنْفَعُ الصَّادِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ
"Allah will say: This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." (Qur'an 5:119)
Rather than addressing the possibility of forgiveness, Allah draws attention to the quality that will truly benefit people on that Day – Truthfulness. The verse does not say that the truthful will merely be recognised. Nor does it simply praise truthfulness as a noble virtue. It says that their truthfulness will benefit them. In other words, truth itself becomes a form of capital carried into the Hereafter.
The Connection with the Previous Verses
This becomes even more striking when read in the context of the verses immediately preceding it. Only a few verses earlier, the Qur’an had exposed the claim that ʿĪsā (as) was crucified, concluding with the powerful statement:
مَا لَهُمْ بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ
"They have no certain knowledge of it; they follow nothing but conjecture." (4:157)
Now, as the scene shifts to the Day of Judgment, Allah declares that those who benefit are the people whose lives were built upon ṣidq—truthfulness. Conjecture leads people away from Allah, and truth leads them towards Him.
When the Qur’an speaks about ṣidq, it is speaking about something much broader than simply telling the truth. The person who sincerely seeks the truth, follows it when he finds it, and remains faithful to it despite the personal cost is preparing something that will benefit him on the Day when every illusion disappears.
A Reflection
It is easy to become preoccupied with questions such as: “Will this person be forgiven?” or “Will that person receive intercession?” The Qur’an does not dismiss Allah’s infinite mercy, but it reminds us that every believer has something within his own control: the sincerity with which he seeks and follows the truth.
Perhaps that is why Allah’s answer is so brief and yet so comprehensive. On that Day, when every claim is tested and every illusion falls away, the truthful will discover that their lifelong commitment to truth was never wasted. It will be among the greatest assets they bring before their Lord.