أمثلة على الأعوان: من يبيع ويشتري للظالم، أو يخدمه، أو يكتب له، كل هؤلاء يندرجون تحت مفهوم "أزواجهم" في الآية.
وقد ذكر الإمام أحمد أن السجان الذي يحبس الأبرار هو من الظلمة عندما سأله السجان والامام احمد في السجن يعذب بسبب فتنة خلق القران -
هل أنا من اعوان الظلمة ؟؟؟
أجابه الامام احمد: بل انت من الظلمة، أما من يخدمهم فهو من أعوانهم.
المغزى: الآية تحذر من مجرد المشاركة بالقول أو الفعل أو المساعدة في الظلم، وأن العاقبة واحدة للظالم ولمن أعانه على ظلم غيره.
{"Gather those who committed wrongdoing and their 'pairs'"} (Ṣūrat al-Ṣāffāt, 37:22)
This means that the wrongdoers will be gathered together with those who are like them and with those who assisted them in wrongdoing. It does not necessarily refer to wives in the literal sense only; rather, it includes everyone who helped them in oppression or participated in it in any way—even someone who washed their clothes or sharpened a pen for them. This is how it was explained by Ibn ʿAbbās and Ibn Taymiyyah. It also includes anyone who takes part in sin or transgression; all of them will be gathered together with the wrongdoers for reckoning.
Explanation and expansion of the verse:
{"their pairs"} has been interpreted as meaning their likes, counterparts, and companions—not merely spouses—because the intended meaning is the gathering of all those who shared in the wrongdoing.
Interpretation of Ibn ʿAbbās: It includes helpers and assistants, even a tailor who sews their clothes, and anyone who aids them in any manner.
Interpretation of Ibn Taymiyyah: He agrees with Ibn ʿAbbās and adds: "Whoever assisted them, even by preparing an inkwell for them, or sharpening a pen for them," or by washing their clothes—anyone who helps in wrongdoing is considered among their helpers and will be gathered with them.
Examples of such helpers: Anyone who buys or sells for an oppressor, serves him, or writes on his behalf—all of these fall under the meaning of "their pairs" in the verse.
It is also reported from Imām Aḥmad that the jailer who imprisons the righteous is himself among the wrongdoers. When a jailer once asked Imām Aḥmad—while the Imam was imprisoned and being tortured during the trial of the createdness of the Qur'an—
"Am I among the helpers of the oppressors?"
Imām Aḥmad replied: "Rather, you are among the oppressors themselves. As for those who merely serve them, they are among their helpers."
The lesson: The verse warns against even indirect participation—by word, deed, or assistance—in wrongdoing, and that the ultimate outcome is the same for the oppressor and for those who aid him in oppressing others.