Murder and Retribution

The Quran mentions the first crime that will be taken to the Court of Allah ( Most high) on the day of judgement.

Allah, Mighty and Wise says:

وَإِذَا الْمَوْءُودَةُ سُئِلَتْ بِأَيِّ ذَنبٍ قُتِلَتْ

And when الْمَوْءُودَة (the mow'ooda) is asked , for what wrongdoing was she killed? [Surat Al-Takweer 81:8-9]

The word الْمَوْءُودَةُ has been traditionally translated by the commentators of Quranic exegesis as the new born female who is buried alive. So these ayaat are interpreted to be female victims of infanticide who are asked about the heinous crime perpetrated against them on the day of Judgement, while their parents watch on!

The Context of the Ayaat

What you notice about the beginning of Surat Al-Takweer is that it speaks of universal phenomena that transcends beyond Arabia or actions undertaken by Arabians 1400 years ago. It speaks of the sun losing its light and heat, the stars being dispersed and having no order, the mountains moving ( from the big earthquake), close relations being nullified, wild animals being gathered, the sea filled with flames, etc . All these descriptions are in total opposition to their nature which we observe in this world.

A Universal Understanding of the word الْمَوْءُودَة

The word الْمَوْءُودَةُ is from the verb وأد which means to bury or cover over. The word الْمَوْءُودَةُ is feminine and a passive participle and is commonly translated as the female newborn that is buried and covered over.

A more holistic way to look at الْمَوْءُودَةُ is to consider it an adjective (sifah) of an omitted mowsoof (the word being described) which is mentioned in the previous ayah.

As an example of this we have in the Quran the word الصَّالِحَات which is usually translated as good/ righteous actions, however the word for actions has been omitted and only the adjective remains. Without the omission the construction would be الأعْمَال الصَّالِحَات - righteous actions.

We see that the ayah prior to mentioning الْمَوْءُودَةُ speaks of the souls (النُّفُوس) :

وَإِذَا النُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتْ

And when the souls are paired up [Surat Al-Takweer 81:7]

This ayah speaks of:

1. reuniting the soul with the body at the time of resurrection, and

2. The souls being paired up with their good/bad deeds.

Both interpretations have been given by the classical scholars of the Quran.

So in this interpretation الْمَوْءُودَةُ is describing النُّفُوسُ. So we are talking about النُّفُوسُ الْمَوْءُودَةُ i.e the souls who were buried and forgotten with no voice and no one to help. It is these souls ( both males and females) who have been killed in cold blood leaving no trace or evidence that a crime has been committed.

Note: The greater plural is used in the ayah in contrast to the other plural الأَنْفُس ( the lesser plural). The greater plural is used for all the souls of human beings. For more information on plurals in Arabic view our course: PLQ: Plurals in the Quran

The Greatest Crime in Human History and Justice for the Most Vulnerable

One can only speculate how many helpless souls have been killed in cold blood, and every day, the numbers keep increasing. However, justice for the most vulnerable is just around the corner, and it will be the first act of justice on the Day of Judgement. This day will empower the weakest and most helpless victims. The murderers will not be questioned; rather, it will be the helpless victims who will be asked: "What sin did you commit to deserve this?" Their response will be clear and concise: "We were sinless..."

These pure, innocent souls, who had no say in this life, will reply, and this will begin the proceedings in the court of Allah, the Most Wise and Majestic. May Allah grant all these precious souls the highest level of Paradise!

Authored by Nabeel Alkhalidy