Every Soul Is Pledged for What It Has Earned — Individual Accountability
tadabbur
Level: basic
akhirah
td-056
كُلُّ نَفۡسِۭ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ رَهِينَةٌ
— المدثر 38
Verse: "Every soul is pledged for what it has earned." (74:38)
"Pledged" (raheena): In Arabic: something held in pawn — every soul is held hostage by its own deeds, released only by its good works.
The exception: "Except the People of the Right" — their pledge was redeemed by their good deeds.
Individual responsibility: No one bears another's burden — every soul stands alone before Allah with its own record.
Lesson: At the moment of questioning on Judgment Day, no one will be beside you — no friend, no relative. The work you do now alone redeems your pledge.
Source: Ibn Kathir (8/275); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (19/83)
Question: What does "raheena" (pledged) mean in "every soul is pledged for what it earned"?
Answer: Held as a pledge — not released except by good deeds. Every soul is mortgaged by its works until redeemed or remains held.