Surah al-`Ankabut (The Spider ) 29 : 12

Explanatory Note

The last image of such testing is that of temptation. This is presented alongside the unbelievers’ false concept of responsibility and reward. The sūrah confirms that both responsibility and reward are personal and individual. This is a fundamental Islamic principle that ensures the best and clearest form of justice for all.   The Arab unbelievers at the time of the Qur’ānic revelations used to say this. Furthermore, it accords with their own traditions under which a clan or tribe was held collectively responsible for the payment of blood money in cases of accidental killing, and collective responsibility was an established social value. Hence, they imagined that they could bear the responsibility for other people’s disbelief, exempting them from God’s punishment. On the other hand, they derided the concept of reward in the hereafter. Thus they said to the believers: “Follow our way and we shall indeed take your sins upon ourselves.”

The sūrah, however, gives a decisive reply, making it clear that all creatures return to their Lord as individuals. Everyone is accountable for their own deeds. No one bears responsibility for anyone else: “But never will they take upon themselves any of their sins.” The sūrah confronts them with the reality of their claims: “Liars indeed they are."