Surah Al Waqiah In English, Surah Al Waqiah Translation

About Surah Al-Waqi’ah

Ibn Abbas – رضي الله عنهما – narrated, as is the case with al-Bayhaqi and others, that it is a Makki surah, and the number of its verses is 96, and the date of its revelation was after Surat Taha.

It was called Surat Al-Waqi’ah: to confirm its occurrence, and it is one of the names of the Day of Resurrection.

Reasons for the revelation of Surah Al-Waqi’ah:

We do not know a specific reason for the revelation of Surat al-Waqi’ah as a whole, except for the reasons for the revelation of some of its verses, on the authority of Ibn Abbas – رضي الله عنهما— he said: It rained people during the time of the Messenger of God – صلى الله عليه وسلم -, and he said: “Among the people became thankful and some of them were infidels. They said: This is God’s mercy, and some of them said: Such-and-such light has been true.He said: So this verse was revealed: (فَلا أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَاقِعِ النُّجُومِ) (So I do not swear by the locations of the stars).

Ibn Asaker brought out in Tarikh Ibn e Asaker with a chain of narration in which he looked from the path of Urwa bin Roym on the authority of Jabir bin Abdullah who said: “When it was revealed: (إذا وقعت الواقعة

And he mentioned in it (ثلة من الأولين، وثلة من الآخرين) (a few of the first * and a few of the others),

Virtues of Surah Al-Waqi’ah:

On the authority of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, he said: (I asked the Prophet – صلى الله عليه وسلم – what is your gray hair? He said: “Surah Hud, Surah Al-Waqi’ah, Surah Al-Mursalat, and Surah Izashshamsu Kuwwirat.

On the authority of Khalid bin Madan, he said: (The Messenger of God, صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not sleep until he recited the Al Musabbihaat. And he says: “In it there is a verse like a thousand verses.”

Ibn Kathir cites a story on the authority of Ibn ` Asakir from Abu Zabyah that when Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Masud (رض) was lying on his deathbed, Sayyidna ` Uthman (رض) paid him a visit and the following conversation ensued.

` Uthman: (رض) : مَا تَشتَکِي؟ “What are you suffering from?”

Ibn Masud (رض) ! ذُنُوبِي ” from my sins.”

` Uthman (رض) : مَا تشتهي؟ “Do you desire anything?”

Ibn Masud (رضرحمة ربي :”Yes, Allah’s mercy.”

` Uthman : (رض) : اَلَاَ آمُرُلَکَ بِطَيبِ؟ “Shall I call a doctor for you?”

Ibn Masud (رض) ! اَطَّبِيبُ اَمرَضَنِی “It is the doctor who has given me the ailment.”

` Uthman: (رض) اَلاَ آمُرُ لَکَ بِعَطَاءِ ؟ “May I send you an allowance from the public treasury?”

Ibn Masud (رض) ” ! لا حَاجةَ لِي فيه “I have no need for it.”

` Uthman (رض) يَکُونُ لِبَنَاتِکَ مِن بَعدِک “Accept it, [ please ]. You are leaving daughters behind you. It will help them.”

Ibn Masudقَالَ: أَتَخْشَى عَلَى بَنَاتِي الْفَقْرَ؟ إِنِّي أَمَرْتُ بَنَاتِي يَقْرَأْنَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ سُورَةَ الْوَاقِعَةِ، إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وسلم يَقُولُ: “مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْوَاقِعَةِ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ، لَمْ تُصِبْهُ فَاقَةٌ أَبَدًا (تفسير ابن كثير ت سلامة (7/ 512)”.”You are worried about my daughters that they must not suffer from poverty. I have no such worry, because I have instructed them to recite Surah Al-Waqi` ah every night. I have heard the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) say, مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْوَاقِعَةِ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ، لَمْ تُصِبْهُ فَاقَةٌ أَبَدًا ‘Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqi` ah every night will never suffer from poverty’.”

Ibn Kathir, after citing this story from Ibn ` Asakir, has supported it with other chains of transmitters and other sources.

Surat Al-Waqi’ah is so amazing that Masruq says in the Siyarul aalam al nubala’ flags: “Every knowledge is in Surat Al-Waqi’ah. Al-Dhahabi said: It is in its chapter, because in its chapter there are marvels for those who read it with contemplation.

Surah Waqiah In Arabic

﷽

إِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْوَاقِعَةُ ﴿1﴾ لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ ﴿2﴾ خَافِضَةٌ رَافِعَةٌ ﴿3﴾ إِذَا رُجَّتِ الْأَرْضُ رَجًّا ﴿4﴾ وَبُسَّتِ الْجِبَالُ بَسًّا ﴿5﴾ فَكَانَتْ هَبَاءً مُنْبَثًّا ﴿6﴾ وَكُنْتُمْ أَزْوَاجًا ثَلَاثَةً ﴿7﴾ فَأَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ ﴿8﴾ وَأَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ ﴿9﴾ وَالسَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ ﴿10﴾ أُولَٰئِكَ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ ﴿11﴾ فِي جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ ﴿12﴾ ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ ﴿13﴾ وَقَلِيلٌ مِنَ الْآخِرِينَ ﴿14﴾ عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مَوْضُونَةٍ ﴿15﴾ مُتَّكِئِينَ عَلَيْهَا مُتَقَابِلِينَ ﴿16﴾ يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَانٌ مُخَلَّدُونَ ﴿17﴾ بِأَكْوَابٍ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍ مِنْ مَعِينٍ ﴿18﴾ لَا يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنْهَا وَلَا يُنْزِفُونَ ﴿19﴾ وَفَاكِهَةٍ مِمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ ﴿20﴾ وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍ مِمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ ﴿21﴾ وَحُورٌ عِينٌ ﴿22﴾ كَأَمْثَالِ اللُّؤْلُؤِ الْمَكْنُونِ ﴿23﴾ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿24﴾ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا تَأْثِيمًا ﴿25﴾ إِلَّا قِيلًا سَلَامًا سَلَامًا ﴿26﴾ وَأَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ ﴿27﴾ فِي سِدْرٍ مَخْضُودٍ ﴿28﴾ وَطَلْحٍ مَنْضُودٍ ﴿29﴾ وَظِلٍّ مَمْدُودٍ ﴿30﴾ وَمَاءٍ مَسْكُوبٍ ﴿31﴾ وَفَاكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ ﴿32﴾ لَا مَقْطُوعَةٍ وَلَا مَمْنُوعَةٍ ﴿33﴾ وَفُرُشٍ مَرْفُوعَةٍ ﴿34﴾ إِنَّا أَنْشَأْنَاهُنَّ إِنْشَاءً ﴿35﴾ فَجَعَلْنَاهُنَّ أَبْكَارًا ﴿36﴾ عُرُبًا أَتْرَابًا ﴿37﴾ لِأَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ ﴿38﴾ ثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ ﴿39﴾ وَثُلَّةٌ مِنَ الْآخِرِينَ ﴿40﴾ وَأَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ ﴿41﴾ فِي سَمُومٍ وَحَمِيمٍ ﴿42﴾ وَظِلٍّ مِنْ يَحْمُومٍ ﴿43﴾ لَا بَارِدٍ وَلَا كَرِيمٍ ﴿44﴾ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُتْرَفِينَ ﴿45﴾ وَكَانُوا يُصِرُّونَ عَلَى الْحِنْثِ الْعَظِيمِ ﴿46﴾ وَكَانُوا يَقُولُونَ أَئِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَامًا أَإِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ ﴿47﴾ أَوَآبَاؤُنَا الْأَوَّلُونَ ﴿48﴾ قُلْ إِنَّ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَالْآخِرِينَ ﴿49﴾ لَمَجْمُوعُونَ إِلَىٰ مِيقَاتِ يَوْمٍ مَعْلُومٍ ﴿50﴾ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ أَيُّهَا الضَّالُّونَ الْمُكَذِّبُونَ ﴿51﴾ لَآكِلُونَ مِنْ شَجَرٍ مِنْ زَقُّومٍ ﴿52﴾ فَمَالِئُونَ مِنْهَا الْبُطُونَ ﴿53﴾ فَشَارِبُونَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْحَمِيمِ ﴿54﴾ فَشَارِبُونَ شُرْبَ الْهِيمِ ﴿55﴾ هَٰذَا نُزُلُهُمْ يَوْمَ الدِّينِ ﴿56﴾ نَحْنُ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ فَلَوْلَا تُصَدِّقُونَ ﴿57﴾ أَفَرَأَيْتُمْ مَا تُمْنُونَ ﴿58﴾ أَأَنْتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْخَالِقُونَ ﴿59﴾ نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ ﴿60﴾ عَلَىٰ أَنْ نُبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنْشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿61﴾ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿62﴾ أَفَرَأَيْتُمْ مَا تَحْرُثُونَ ﴿63﴾ أَأَنْتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الزَّارِعُونَ ﴿64﴾ لَوْ نَشَاءُ لَجَعَلْنَاهُ حُطَامًا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ ﴿65﴾ إِنَّا لَمُغْرَمُونَ ﴿66﴾ بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ ﴿67﴾ أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ الْمَاءَ الَّذِي تَشْرَبُونَ ﴿68﴾ أَأَنْتُمْ أَنْزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ الْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنْزِلُونَ ﴿69﴾ لَوْ نَشَاءُ جَعَلْنَاهُ أُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿70﴾ أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ النَّارَ الَّتِي تُورُونَ ﴿71﴾ أَأَنْتُمْ أَنْشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَا أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنْشِئُونَ ﴿72﴾ نَحْنُ جَعَلْنَاهَا تَذْكِرَةً وَمَتَاعًا لِلْمُقْوِينَ ﴿73﴾ فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ ﴿74﴾ فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَاقِعِ النُّجُومِ ﴿75﴾ وَإِنَّهُ لَقَسَمٌ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ ﴿76﴾ إِنَّهُ لَقُرْآنٌ كَرِيمٌ ﴿77﴾ فِي كِتَابٍ مَكْنُونٍ ﴿78﴾ لَا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ ﴿79﴾ تَنْزِيلٌ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿80﴾ أَفَبِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَنْتُمْ مُدْهِنُونَ ﴿81﴾ وَتَجْعَلُونَ رِزْقَكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُكَذِّبُونَ ﴿82﴾ فَلَوْلَا إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْحُلْقُومَ ﴿83﴾ وَأَنْتُمْ حِينَئِذٍ تَنْظُرُونَ ﴿84﴾ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْكُمْ وَلَٰكِنْ لَا تُبْصِرُونَ ﴿85﴾ فَلَوْلَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ غَيْرَ مَدِينِينَ ﴿86﴾ تَرْجِعُونَهَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ ﴿87﴾ فَأَمَّا إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ ﴿88﴾ فَرَوْحٌ وَرَيْحَانٌ وَجَنَّتُ نَعِيمٍ ﴿89﴾ وَأَمَّا إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ ﴿90﴾ فَسَلَامٌ لَكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ ﴿91﴾ وَأَمَّا إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ الضَّالِّينَ ﴿92﴾ فَنُزُلٌ مِنْ حَمِيمٍ ﴿93﴾ وَتَصْلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ ﴿94﴾ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ الْيَقِينِ ﴿95﴾ فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ ﴿96﴾

Transliteration English

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Izaa waqa’atil waaqi’ah
Laisa liwaq’atihaa kaazibah
Khafidatur raafi’ah
Izaa rujjatil ardu rajjaa
Wa bussatil jibaalu bassaa
Fakaanat habaaa’am mumbassaa
Wa kuntum azwaajan salaasah
Fa as haabul maimanati maaa as haabul maimanah
Wa as haabul mash’amati maaa as haabul mash’amah
Wassaabiqoonas saabiqoon
Ulaaa’ikal muqarraboon
Fee Jannaatin Na’eem
Sullatum minal awwaleen
Wa qaleelum minal aa khireen
‘Alaa sururim mawdoonah
Muttaki’eena ‘alaihaa mutaqabileen
Yatoofu ‘alaihim wildaa num mukhalladoon
Bi akwaabinw wa abaareeq, wa kaasim mim ma’een
Laa yusadda’oona ‘anhaa wa laa yunzifoon
Wa faakihatim mimmaa yatakhaiyaroon
Wa lahmi tairim mimmaa yashtahoon
Wa hoorun’een
Ka amsaalil lu’lu’il maknoon
Jazaaa’am bimaa kaanoo ya’maloon
Laa yasma’oona feehaa laghwanw wa laa taaseemaa
Illaa qeelan salaaman salaamaa
Wa as haabul yameeni maaa as haabul Yameen
Fee sidrim makhdood
Wa talhim mandood
Wa zillim mamdood
Wa maaa’im maskoob
Wa faakihatin kaseerah
Laa maqtoo’atinw wa laa mamnoo’ah
Wa furushim marfoo’ah
Innaaa anshaanaahunna inshaaa’aa
Faja’alnaahunna abkaaraa
‘Uruban atraabaa
Li as haabil yameen
Sullatum minal awwa leen
Wa sullatum minal aakhireen
Wa as haabush shimaali maaa as haabush shimaal
Fee samoominw wa hameem
Wa zillim miny yahmoom
Laa baaridinw wa laa kareem
Innahum kaanoo qabla zaalika mutrafeen
Wa kaanoo yusirroona ‘alal hinsil ‘azeem
Wa kaanoo yaqooloona a’izaa mitnaa wa kunnaa turaabanw wa izaaman’ainnaa lamab’oosoon
Awa aabaaa’unal awwaloon
Qul innal awwaleena wal aakhireen
Lamajmoo’oona ilaa meeqaati yawmim ma’loom
summa innakum ayyuhad daaalloonal mukazziboon
La aakiloona min shaja rim min zaqqoom
Famaali’oona minhal butoon
Fashaariboona ‘alaihi minal hameem
Fashaariboona shurbal heem
Haazaa nuzuluhum yawmad deen
Nahnu khalaqnaakum falaw laa tusaddiqoon
Afara’aytum maa tumnoon
‘A-antum takhluqoo nahooo am nahnul khaaliqoon
Nahnu qaddarnaa baina kumul mawta wa maa nahnu bimasbooqeen
‘Alaaa an nubaddila amsaalakum wa nunshi’akum fee maa laa ta’lamoon
Wa laqad ‘alimtumun nash atal oolaa falaw laa tazakkaroon
Afara’aytum maa tahrusoon
‘A-antum tazra’oonahooo am nahnuz zaari’ooon
Law nashaaa’u laja’al naahu hutaaman fazaltum tafakkahoon
Innaa lamughramoon
Bal nahnu mahroomoon
Afara’aytumul maaa’allazee tashraboon
‘A-antum anzaltumoohu minal muzni am nahnul munziloon
Law nashaaa’u ja’alnaahu ujaajan falaw laa tashkuroon
Afara’aytumun naaral latee tooroon
‘A-antum anshaatum shajaratahaaa am nahnul munshi’oon
Nahnu ja’alnaahaa tazkira tanw wa mataa’al lilmuqween
Fasabbih bismi Rabbikal ‘azeem
Falaa uqsimu bimaawaa qi’innujoom
Wa innahoo laqasamul lawta’lamoona’azeem
Innahoo la quraanun kareem
Fee kitaabim maknoon
Laa yamassuhooo illal mutahharoon
Tanzeelum mir Rabbil’aalameen
Afabihaazal hadeesi antum mudhinoon
Wa taj’aloona rizqakum annakum tukazziboon
Falaw laaa izaa balaghatil hulqoom
Wa antum heena’izin tanzuroon
Wa nahnu aqrabu ilaihi minkum wa laakil laa tubsiroon
Falaw laaa in kuntum ghaira madeeneen
Tarji’oonahaaa in kuntum saadiqeen
Fa ammaaa in kaana minal muqarrabeen
Farawhunw wa raihaa nunw wa jannatu na’eem
Wa ammaaa in kaana min as haabil yameen
Fasalaamul laka min as haabil yameen
Wa ammaaa in kaana minal mukazzibeenad daaalleen
Fanuzulum min hameem
Wa tasliyatu jaheem
Inna haaza lahuwa haqqul yaqeen
Fasabbih bismi rabbikal ‘azeem

Translation

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

When the Imminent Event (of Doom) will occur,
there will be no one to deny its occurrence.
It will be abasing (some), exalting (others)
when the earth will be jolted with a terrible jolt,
and the mountains will be crumbled a thorough crumbling,
until they will become dust, scattered in the air,
and you will be (divided into) three categories.
As for the People of the Right, how (lucky) are the People of the Right!
And the People of the Left ? How (wretched) are the People of the Left!
And the Foremost are the foremost.
Those are the ones blessed with nearness (to Allah)
in gardens of bliss,
many from the first generations,
and a few from the later ones.
(They will be sitting) on thrones woven with gold,
reclining on them, facing each other.
Immortal boys will rotate around them
with bowls and jugs and a goblet of pure wine,
from which they will neither suffer headache, nor will they be intoxicated,
_and with fruits that they choose,
and the flesh of birds that they desire.
And (for them there will be) houris, having lovely big eyes,
all (neat and clean) like a hidden pearl,
as a reward for what they used to do.
They will hear neither an absurd talk in it, nor something leading to sin,
but (they will hear) the words of Salam , Salam (as greetings).
And the People of the right? How (lucky) are the People of the Right!
(They will be) amid lote-trees with no thorns,
and the trees of TalH , (banana, or a fragrant tree) having layers one upon the other,
and a shade, spread all over,
and water, poured forth,
and a lot of fruits,
neither interrupted (in any season), nor prohibited,
and mattresses of high quality.
Surely We have made up those females in a special creation,
and have made them virgins,
amorous to their husbands, matching them in age,
for the People of the Right,
(comprising) many from the first generations,
and many from the later ones.
And the People of the Left? How (wretched) are the People of the Left!
(They will be) in scorching wind and boiling water,
and in a shade of black smoke,
neither cool nor graceful.
They were earlier in luxuries,
and used to persist in major sins,
and used to say, :Is it that when we die and become dust__is it that we will be raised again,
and our ancient fathers as well?
Say, :All the earlier and the later ones
will be gathered together for a fixed time of a specified Day.
Then O you, the erring, the denying people,
you will have to eat from the tree of zaqqum,
and to fill with it the bellies,
then on top of it you will have to drink boiling water,
and to drink like camels suffering from the disease of over-thirst.
This will be their welcome entertainment on the Day of Requital.
We have created you; then why do you not believe in it?
So, tell Me about the semen you drop (in the wombs):
Is it you who create it, or are We the Creator?
We have appointed (the times of) death among you, and We cannot be frustrated
from replacing you with others like you, and creating you (afresh) in that (form) which you do not know.
And you certainly know the first creation; then why do you not take lesson?
Well, tell Me about that (seed) which you sow:
Is it you who grow it, or are We the One who grows?
If We so will, We can certainly make it crumbled, and you will remain wondering,
(and saying,) :We are laden with debt,
rather we are totally deprived.
Again, tell Me about the water you drink:
Is it you who have brought it down from the clouds, or are We the One who sends (it) down?
If We so will, We can make it bitter in taste. So why do you not offer gratitude?
Now tell Me about the fire you kindle:
Is it you who have originated its tree, 5 or are We the Originator?
We have made it a reminder (of Our infinite power, and of the fire of Hell) and a benefit for travelers in deserts.
So, proclaim purity of the name of your Lord, the Magnificent.
So, I swear by the setting places of the stars,
__and indeed it is a great oath, if you are to appreciate__
it is surely the Noble Qur‘an,
(recorded already) in a protected book (i.e. the Preserved Tablet)
that is not touched except by the purified ones (the angels).
__ a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
Is it this discourse that you take lightly,
and take your denial as your livelihood?
So why (do you) not (intervene) when the soul (of a dying person) reaches the throat,
and you are watching?
And We are closer to him than you, but you do not perceive.
So, if you are not going to be recompensed (in the Hereafter for your deeds), then why do you not
bring the soul back, if you are truthful?
So, in case he (the dying person) is from among those blessed with nearness,
then (for him) there is comfort and fragrance and garden of bliss.
And in case he is from among the People of the Right,
then, (it will be said to him,) :Peace is for you, as you are one of the People of the Right.
But if he is one of the deniers, the astray,
then (for him) there is entertainment from boiling water,
and burning in the Hell.
Indeed this is certainty in its true sense.
So, proclaim purity of the name of your Lord, the Magnificent.

Horrors of the Day of Resurrection

إِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْوَاقِعَةُ (When the Imminent Event (of Doom) will occur…56:1). Ibn Kathir says Al-waqi` ah is one of the names of the Day of Resurrection, because there is no room for doubt in its occurrence. It is real and will surely come to pass.

لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ (…there will be no one to deny its occurrence…56:2). The word kadhibah in this context is the verbal noun, like ` afiyah and ` aqibah. The sense of the verse is that ‘the news of the occurrence of this event cannot be a false news’. Some authorities have taken the word kadhibah in the sense of takdhib [ to deny ] and the meaning, in that case, is clear that ‘no one can deny the fact that it will come to pass’.

خَافِضَةٌ رَّ‌افِعَةٌ (It will be abasing [ some ], exalting [ others ]…56:3). The verse means that the ‘Inevitable Event’ referred to in the previous verse will bring about a great revolution in the lives of men, as is witnessed at the time of revolution of governments. The high and the mighty will be laid low and the despised and down-trodden will be exalted; the poor become rich and the rich become poor. This is how Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas (رض) interprets this statement. The purpose is to depict the horrors of the Day of Resurrection.

Three Categories of People on the Day of Resurrection

وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَاجًا ثَلَاثَةً (and you will be [ divided into ] three categories…56:7). Ibn Kathir says that people will be divided into three different categories on the Day of Resurrection. One group will be on the right side of Allah’s Throne, and they are those who were brought forth from the right side of the loin of ‘Adam (عليه السلام) . These people will be given their Ledgers of Deeds in their right hands and will be taken to the right side of the Divine Throne. They are the inmates of Paradise.

The second category comprises those who will be placed to the left of Allah’s Throne. These are people who were brought forth from the left side of the loin of ‘Adam (عليه السلام) . This category will be given their Ledgers of Deeds in their left hands and will be taken to the left side of the Divine Throne. They are the inhabitants of the Fire. [ We seek refuge in Allah from their behaviour pattern!]

The third category consists of As-sabiqun [ the foremost ] who are described as Al-muqarrabun [ the fortunate believers who are granted special nearness to Allah ]. They will be placed in front of the Divine Throne. They include the Messengers, the Prophets, Siddiqin, martyrs and the friends of Allah. They are fewer than those on the right side. Towards the end of the Surah, the description of the three categories will be taken up again to mention that some signs start appearing, right from the time of death of a person, to indicate in which category he or she is going to fall.

وَالسَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ (And the Foremost are the foremost….56:10) Imam Ahmad (رح) ، has recorded a Tradition on the authority of Sayyidah ` A’ishah Siddiqah (رض) that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) asked the noble Companions (رض) : “Do you know who will be the first to be accommodated in the Divine Shade on the Day of Resurrection?” The noble Companions (رض) replied: اللہُ وَ رَسُولُہ اَعلَم “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said: “They are those who accept the truth when it is presented to them; when they are asked for the rights due from them, they fulfill them; and they judge about the matters of others as they would judge about themselves.”

Mujahid says that As-sabiqun (the Foremost) refers to ‘the Prophets’. Ibn Sirin says that it refers to early Muslims who performed their prayers facing the two qiblas, namely, baytul-maqdis and baitulllah. Hasan and Qatadah رحمۃ اللہ علیہما say that in every Ummah there will be As-sabiqun. Some of the commentators express the view that they are people who go first to the mosque.

Ibn-Kathir (رح) cites all these views and concludes that they are all correct and authentic in their own right. The opinions are not in conflict with one another, because As-sabiqun are those who must have been foremost in their invincible faith and righteous deeds in this world, and as such they would be the ‘Foremost’ in the Hereafter in terms of reward which will befit their faith and good deeds.

ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِ‌ينَ (…many from the earlier generations, and of a small number from the later ones….56:13-14) The word ثُلَّةٌ thullatun, means ‘a party, group, company’. Zamakhshari says that thullatun refers to ‘a throng or a large number of people ‘.

Who are الْأَوَّلِينَ Awwalin (earlier generations) and الْآخِرِ‌ينَ ‘Akhirin (later ones)?

The words ‘awwalin’ (earlier generations) and ` akhirin’ (later ones) are used twice: First, in connection with As-sabiqun (the Foremost) who are favoured with special Divine nearness; and secondly, in connection with Ashab-ul-yamin [ the People of the Right, or the general body of believers ]. In the case of the ‘Foremost’ it is mentioned that there will be ‘many’ from amongst the ‘awwalin’ (earlier generations) who will be categorized as ‘the Foremost’, but from amongst the later generations, the number of the ‘Foremost’ will be smaller. As opposed to this, in the description of the People of the Right, the word ‘thullah’ (many) is applied to both ‘earlier’ and ‘later’ generations in the following words: ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِ‌ينَ ( many from the first generations, and many from the later ones…56:39-40)

The question now is: Who are ‘earlier generations’ and ‘later generations’? In this connection, two views of the commentators have been recorded: The first view is that ‘earlier generations’ include all the creation of Allah from the time of ‘Adam to the time just prior to the advent of the ‘Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) . And ‘later generations’ include all the creation of Allah from the time of the advent of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) to the Doomsday. This interpretation is recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim (رح) [ with a chain of transmitters ] from Mujahid and Hasan Basri رحمۃ اللہ علیہما . Ibn Jarir (رض) has preferred this interpretation. This interpretation has also been adopted in the Bayan-ul-Qur’an.

The theme of this Tradition is supported by the Tradition recorded by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Abi Hatim رحمة الله عليهما on the authority of Sayyidna Abu Hurairah (رض) that when verses [ 13] and [ 14] were revealed, the Companions (رض) found this painful, because they understood them to mean that the foremost believers from earlier nations are more numerous than those of this Ummah. As a result, verses [ 39] and [ 40] were revealed and the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) of Allah stated ‘I hope that you will comprise a quarter of the inmates of Paradise, a third of the inmates of Paradise. Rather, you are a half of the inmates of Paradise, and will have a share in the other half.’ (Ibn Kathir) Thus, collectively, majority of the inmates of Paradise will be the followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) . However, a question arises about both these Traditions. The question is that verse 40 relates to the People of the Right, while verse 13 was about the Foremost. Then, how can verse 40 remove the concern of the Companions (رض) about verse 13?

Ruh-ul-Ma’ ani resolves the problem thus: The noble Companions (رض) ، in general, and Sayyidna ` Umar (رض) in particular, were saddened by the verse 13 presumably because they thought that the proportion of the later generations in the ‘People of the Right’ will be the same as it is in the Foremost, and thus the later generations will be small in number even among the ‘People of the Right’. From this point of view, they thought their number in relation to all the inmates of Paradise, put together, will be very small. But when verses [ 39] and [ 40] were revealed, the point was clarified that collectively the majority of the inmates of Paradise will be the followers of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) even though the collective number of later generations in the category of the Foremost’ may be smaller as compared to the previous nations, especially since a large number of the previous nations will comprise the Prophets. In relation to them, it does not matter if the followers of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) are fewer.

However, Ibn Kathir, Abu Hayyan, Qurtubi, Ruh-ul-Ma’ ani, Mazhari and others prefer another interpretation: ‘the earlier generations’ and ‘the later generations imply, according to them, the earlier and the latter followers of the Holy Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) own Ummah. ‘Earlier generations’, in their view, are the Companions (رض) of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and their pupils, who are termed in a Hadith as ‘khair-ul-qurun’ (the best generation), and ‘later generations’ include all those who came after them.

As for the Hadith narrated by Jabir quoted above from Ibn Kathir, in support of the first interpretation, Ibn Kathir himself has expressed his reservation about its chain of transmitters. He writes وَ لٰکِن فِي اِسنَادہ نَظَرُ “In its chain of transmission, there is some defect.” In support of his own interpretation, he quotes verses relating to Ummah of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) being the best of nations, as for instance كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ‌ أُمَّةٍ You are the best of nations…”. (3:110) Therefore, it is not possible that the foremost believers from earlier nations are more numerous than those of this Ummah. Thus ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ ‘many from the earlier generations’ refers to the earlier generation of this Ummah and قَلِیلُ مِنَ الآخِرِین ‘of a small number from the later generations’ refers to the later generation of this Ummah from whom a small number will be included in the category of the ‘Foremost’.

In support of this view, Ibn Kathir has cited the statement of Sayyidna Hasan Basri (رح) ، as recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim (رح) ، to the effect that he recited the Verse 10 about ‘the Foremost’ and said, ‘They have predeceased, but 0 Allah! make us from amongst the People of the Right hand’. In another statement, Sayyidna Hasan Basri (رح) is reported to have said in explanation of Verse 13: ثُلَّثۃُ مِّمَّن مَّضیٰ مِن ھٰذِہِ الاُمَّۃِ ‘ ‘Those foremost Faith are all from this Ummah’. Likewise, Muhammad Ibn Sirin said in connection with Verse 13 and 14: ‘The scholars stated and hoped that they (the Foremost of earlier and later generations) will all be from amongst this Ummah.’

Ruh-ul-Ma’ ani puts forward the following Prophetic Hadith with a good chain of transmitters in support of the second interpretation:

أَخرَجَ مُسَدَّدُ فِی مُسنَدِہ وَ ابن المنذر وَ الطّبرَانِ وَابن مردویہ بِسنَدِ حَسَنِ عَن أَبِي بَکرةَ عَنِ النَّبِي (رض) فِی قَولِه سُبحَانه: ثُلَةُ مَّنَ الاَوَّلين وَ ثُلَّة مِّنَ الاٰخرِينَ قالَ هما جَمِيعاً مِّن هذه الأمة.

“Musaddad in his Musnad, Ibn-ul-Mundhir, Tabarani and Ibn Marduyah report with a good chain on the authority of Sayyidna Abu Bakrah (رض) that, while interpreting verses [ 39] and [ 40] (Many from the earlier generations and of a small number from the later ones), the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said: ‘They are both from this Ummah.'”

Many Scholars of Hadith report another Prophetic Tradition with a weak chain on the authority of Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas (رض) also. The wordings are: ھُمَا جَمِيعاً مِّن اُمَّتِي . “They [ the earlier and the later generations ] are from my Ummah.” From this point of view, verse [ 7] of this Chapter وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَاجًا ثَلَاثَةً “and you will be (divided into) three categories. [ 7] ” addresses the Ummah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and all three categories will be from this Ummah.

Mazhari has held the first interpretation as improbable, because according to the clear text of the Qur’an, this Ummah is the best and most honoured of all nations. Therefore, it is inconceivable that the foremost believers from earlier nations should be more numerous than those of this Ummah. The higher rank of this Ummah vis-a-vis the other nations is proved by the express texts of the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’anic verse [ 3:110] reads: كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ‌ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِ‌جَتْ لِلنَّاسِ “You are the best Ummah raised for the good of mankind…”.Verse [ 3:110] reads: لِّتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّ‌سُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا “…so that you should be witnesses over the people, and the Messenger a witness to you.” Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi have recorded a narration on the authority of Sayyidna Bahz Ibn Hakim (رض) in which the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) is reported to have said:

اَنتُم تُتِمُّونَ سَبعِینَ أمةً اَنتُم أخِيرُھا وَ اَکرَمُھَا عَلَی الله تعالى.

“You are complement to the seventy nations of the days of yore. You are the choicest one and the most honourable one in the sight of Allah.”

Imam Bukhari (رح) narrates a Tradition on the authority of Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Mas` ud (رض) in which the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) is reported to have said: “Will it please you if you are a quarter of the inmates of Paradise?” The Companions replied: “Yes, indeed, it would please us.” The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said:

والذي نفسي بيده لأرجوأن تكونوا نصف أهل الجنة.

“By Him in Whose control is my life! I hope that you will comprise a half of the inmates of Paradise.” (Mazhari)

Tirmidhi, Hakim and Baihaqi report on the authority of Sayyidna Buraidah (رض) that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said:

عَنِ ابْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَهْلُ الجَنَّةِ عِشْرُونَ وَمِائَةُ صَفٍّ ثَمَانُونَ مِنْهَا مِنْ هَذِهِ الأُمَّةِ وَأَرْبَعُونَ مِنْ سَائِرِ الأُمَمِ. (سنن الترمذي: 2546)

“The inmates of Paradise will be ranged in 120 ranks: eighty of them will be from this Ummah, and forty from the rest of the nations.” (Tirmidhi has rated this tradition as ‘Hasan’ and Hakim as ‘sahih’.)

The ratio between this Ummah and other communities in Paradise is given differently at different times, ranging between one third, one quarter, a half and two-thirds. There is no conflict in the ratios mentioned on different occasions. That was based on the estimation of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) which has been increasing at different times.

The reward of As-Sabiqun

عَلَىٰ سُرُ‌رٍ‌ مَّوْضُونَةٍ ([ They will be sitting ] on thrones woven with gold…56:15) The word مَّوْضُونَةٍ mawdunah, according to Ibn ` Abbas (رض) ، as recorded by Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatim, Baihaqi and others, means ‘fabric woven or inwrought with gold thread’.

وِلْدَانٌ مُّخَلَّدُونَ (…by Immortal boys…56:17) meaning that the boys will never grow up, get old or change in shape. The preferred opinion is that the youths of Paradise, like the fair damsels of Paradise, will have been born in Paradise. They will be the servants of the inmates of Paradise. Hadith narratives indicate that there will be thousands of such servants for each of the inmates of Paradise.

The Reward of Those on the Right

وَأَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ As for the People of the right, How (lucky) are the People of the Right!…56:27). The People of the Right are initially the God-fearing and the righteous believers. Sinful believers will also join the People of the Right, some through the sheer grace of Allah, and others will be forgiven through the intercession of a prophet or a friend of Allah. Some sinful believers will be punished for their sins, but after serving their punishment, they too will be purified and cleansed of the dross of their sins, after which they will join the People of the Right, because the fire of the Hell is not, in fact, a punishment; it is rather a way to cleanse him from the dross of his sins. (Mazhari)

فِي سِدْرٍ‌ مَّخْضُودٍ (..amid lote-trees with no thorns – 58:28). The word sidr refers to ‘lote-tree’ and makhdud refers to ‘a tree having its thorns removed’. It also means ‘a tree having the branches bent because of abundance of its fruit’. Unlike the lote-trees of this world, the Heavenly lote-trees have a different description. Their fruits will be as large as the clay jugs, and their taste cannot be compared to those found in this world, (as described in a Hadith).

وَطَلْحٍ مَّنضُودٍ (and the trees of tulh, having layers one upon the other – 28:29). The word talh refers to ‘banana tree’ and mandud means ‘clustered’, fruits piled on top of each other as in a bunch of bananas.

وَظِلٍّ مَّمْدُودٍ (and a shade, spread all over…56:30). The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) is reported to have said, as recorded in Sahihain, that in Paradise there is a tree so large that a rider may travel for a hundred years under its shade, but would not be able to pass it.

وَمَاءٍ مَّسْكُوبٍ (…and water, poured forth…56:31) This means the water will be flowing constantly on the surface of the ground.

وَفَاكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَ‌ةٍ (and a lot of fruits…56:32). The word Kathirah [ abounding ] has two senses: [ 1] there will be plenty of fruits; and [ 2] there will be an uncountable variety and kinds of fruits.

لَّا مَقْطُوعَةٍ وَلَا مَمْنُوعَةٍ (neither interrupted [ in any season ], nor prohibited …56:33) The word maqtu` ah means the fruits the supply of which is cut off at the end of the season. In this world most fruits are seasonal; some bear in summer, some in winter and others in rainy season. Once the season of the fruit is over, it ceases to be available. However, the supply of the fruits of Paradise never runs out in any season. Rather they will always be available for those who want to eat from them. Whenever these fruits are desired, they will be available and easy to grasp by Allah’s power. The word mamnu` ah (prohibited) means that in this world there are caretakers appointed to look after the gardens, who stop and prohibit people from picking the fruits, but in the gardens of Paradise there will be no such hindrance. The inmates will be able to pick them whenever they wish.

وَفُرُ‌شٍ مَّرْ‌فُوعَةٍ (…and mattresses of high quality….56:34). The word rush is the plural of firash which means ‘bed, couch, mattress’. The word marfu’ah lexically means ‘upraised, elevated’. The couches could be upraised or elevated for one of several reasons: [ 1] because the place itself is high; [ 2] because the mattresses will not be on the ground, but on the thrones or beds; or [ 3] because the couches themselves will be thick (and of high quality). Some exegetes have taken the word ‘rush’ in the sense of ‘women’, because it is one of the meaning of ‘firash’ is referred as firash, as in the Prophetic Tradition اَلوَلَدُ لِلفَرَاشِ. ‘The child belongs to the firash’. The word firash refers to ‘wife’. This is corroborated by the characteristics of the women of Paradise described in the forthcoming verses. In this case, the word marfu` ah would mean ‘high-ranking’.

إِنَّا أَنشَأْنَاهُنَّ إِنشَاءً (Surely We have created those [ females ] a fresh creation…56:35) The word insha’ means ‘to create’. The pronoun هُنَّ hunna refers to the women of Paradise, although there is no mention of them in the immediately preceding verses. However, they have been mentioned in connection with ‘the Foremost’ in distantly foregoing verses [ 22-23].

If the word firash in the foregoing verse (34) refers to the women of Paradise, the antecedent of the pronoun is quite obvious. Likewise, the mention of beds, couches, thrones and other delightful items gives the pronoun the context to refer to women. The meaning of the verse is: ‘We have created the Paradisiacal women in a special way, that is, the houris are created without being born biologically, and the women of this world who will enter the Paradise will also be reshaped in a way that the women who were ugly, dark-coloured or old in this world will be made beautiful, young and graceful.’ It is recorded in Tirmidhi and Baihaqi on the authority of Sayyidna Anas that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said in explanation of Verse 35 that the women who were old, blear eyed, with gray hair and ugly features in the world will be made beautiful and young in this new creation.

Baihaqi also reports from Sayyidah ` A’ishah (رض) that an old lady asked the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) to pray to Allah that she may enter Paradise. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said in a humorous way: لا تدخل الجنة عجوز “Old ladies will not enter Paradise.” Hearing this the old lady got very sad, and according to some narrations, started weeping. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) then explained that she would not be old when she would enter Paradise; she would be transformed into a young beautiful woman. Then the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) recited this verse 35. [ Mazhari ]

أَبْكَارً‌ا – 56:36). The word abkaran, being the plural of bikr, means ‘virgins’. The sense is the creation of the maidens of Paradise will be of such a nature that, even after every sexual intercourse, they will remain like virgins.

عُرُ‌بًا (…amorous to their husbands,…56:37). The word ` urub, is the plural of ` arubah. This refers to a woman who loves her husband passionately and is his beloved.

أَتْرَ‌ابً (…matching them in age…56:37) The word atrab is the plural of tirb, meaning ‘a person of equal age who played together with his mate in dust’. The verse means that men and women will be made of equal ages in Paradise. Some narrations report that they will be about thirty-three years old. [ Mazhari ]

ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِ‌ينَ (many from the earlier generations, and many from the later ones….56:39-40) In connection with sabiqun, (the Foremost) two views of the commentators were quoted earlier as to the identity of ‘the earlier’ and the ‘later’ generations. If ‘the earlier’ refers to the generations from ‘Adam (عليه السلام) to the period just prior to the advent of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and ‘the later generations’ refers to the ‘Ummah of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) till the Day of Judgment, as some of the commentators have opined, then the verses would mean: ‘the People of the Right’ will constitute a ‘large party’ of believers and the righteous from all the previous communities combined together, while there will be a ‘large party’ from the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) alone.

In this case, it is a great honor for the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) that, despite the short period they lived in this world, they could be compared to all the previous communities who were headed by hundreds of thousands of Prophets (علیہم السلام) . Besides, the words ‘many from the later generations’ has the scope of being larger in number than the ‘many from the earlier generations’.

If we go by the second view of the commentators, who say that both ‘earlier’ and ‘later’ generations are from the ummah of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) ، then even the later generations of this ummah will not be totally deprived of ‘the Foremost’, though their number in later generations will be less. As for the People of the Right, their number will be large in both ‘earlier’ and ‘later’ generations. This fact is proved by a Hadith reported by Bukhari and Muslim from Sayyidna Mu` awiyah (رض) in which the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) has said, ‘A group of my ‘Ummah will always remain on the truth and dominant, unharmed by those who fail to support them and those who defy them, until the Last Hour begins.’.

Proof of the occurrence of the Day of Resurrection

Thus far the Surah dealt with three categories of people on the Plain of Hashr (Gathering.) The verses so far described the reward and punishment of these three groups. The current set of verses warn the deviant skeptics and atheists who completely deny the Day of Judgment and life after death, or set up partners to Allah in His worship. The verses purport to tear down the curtain of negligence and ignorance that has kept man in the dark. Whatever exists, or is coming into existence at the present time, or will come into existence in the future in this cosmic world is as a result of the creative power of Allah. He brings them into existence, retains them and makes them subservient to man. The apparent causes of these events act as veils over Reality. Had these veils been removed and man is able to witness the creation of these things directly without the mediation of these apparent causes, he will be forced to believe in Allah. However, Allah has made this world a venue of test. Therefore, whatever comes into existence comes under the veils of causes.

Allah has, with His encompassing power and consummate wisdom, created a strong connection or relation between ’causes’ and ‘effects’. Wherever and whenever a secondary cause occurs, the effect necessarily follows. A casual observer assigns to every ‘effect’ a ‘secondary or extrinsic cause’, thus straying into the philosophy of ’causes’ and ‘effects’. Man does not seem to realize that the whole system of cause and effect ends with Allah. He is the First or Primary or Intrinsic Cause or Cause of all causes [ musabbib-ul-asbab ]. It was explained earlier in Surah An-Najm that a natural order of cause and effect pervades the entire universe. Every cause, which is not itself primary, is traceable to some other cause, and this to another and so on. But as the series of cause and effect in our finite world cannot be indefinite, it must terminate at some point. The Final Cause is, therefore, the Author of the universe. It is this Final Cause towards which the present verses call our attention.

نَحْنُ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ فَلَوْلَا تُصَدِّقُونَ أَفَرَ‌أَيْتُم مَّا تُمْنُونَ أَأَنتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْخَالِقُونَ (We have created you; then why do you not appreciate it as true? So, tell Me about the semen you drop [ in the wombs ]: Is it you who create it, or are We the Creator?…56:57-59). With verse 57 begins a series of arguments in support of Allah’s Oneness and His power to raise the dead. The first argument in the current verse is taken from the very subtle and wonderful phenomenon of man’s birth, starting with a drop of semen and developing into a full-fledged human being – the crown of all creation. Humans stop at thinking that male-female cohabitation in the process of their creation is the ultimate or real cause. Therefore, the Qur’an poses the question to them in verse [ 58]: أَفَرَ‌أَيْتُم مَّا تُمْنُونَ أَأَنتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْخَالِقُونَ ‘So, tell Me about the semen you drop [ in the wombs ]:

Is it you who create it, or are We the Creator? In other words, a male plays a very insignificant biological role in the birth of a child in that he delivers a drop of microscopic semen in the womb of a female to combine with the microscopic ovum. Once this is done, it goes through several stages of growth and development without anyone, besides Allah, knowing what is happening. Eventually it forms into a foetus with a bone-structure. The skeleton is then clothed with flesh and skin. The soul is infused into it and the little universe [ microcosm ] comes into being with various systems: The nutritive and digestive system, the blood and the circulatory system, a system of human senses [ sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste ] and communication and the ability to think and understand. Man thus becomes a moving factory, and in none of these biological processes he has any say.

Neither of the parents [ especially the mother in whose womb all this is taking place ] knows whether the child is a boy or a girl, until it is born. The question is: Who creates the child in the womb of the mother, creation after creation, within three darknesses [ i.e. the darkness of belly, the darkness of womb and the darkness of amniotic membrane ]? Who made it beautiful, gave it the power of hearing and sight? Who bestowed on it the faculty of thinking and comprehension? Only mentally blind person will fail to exclaim: “Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators!”

The forthcoming verses [ 60 and 61]

نَحْنُ قَدَّرْ‌نَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ ﴿٦٠﴾ عَلَىٰ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٦١﴾

“We have appointed (the times of) death among you, and We cannot be frustrated from replacing you with others like you, and creating you [ afresh ] in that [ form ] which you do not know….56:60-61].”

‘Death’ is the end of all physical life. This is the eternal law of Allah from which there is no escape. Allah pre-determines the time of human death. Man has no choice in the matter of death which frees the human soul from the fetters and shackles of its physical habitat. Allah has pre-designated a particular point in time up to which he could live. But one should not remain lulled into a fancy that he would continue to enjoy power and his free will. Allah has the power to eliminate him any time, and create another people in his place. This is the import of the words, نَحْنُ قَدَّرْ‌نَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ ﴿٦٠﴾ عَلَىٰ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ “We have appointed (the times of) death among you, and We cannot be frustrated from replacing you with others like you,” The concluding part of verse [ 61] وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ‘…and creating you (afresh) in that (form) which you do not know” implies that ‘Allah has the power to reshape you in a form unknown to you at the moment.’ It may happen either by one’s turning into dust after death, or by his being metamorphosed into an animal shape as it happened in the past nations, some turned into monkeys and others into swine by way of punishment. It is also possible that they might be transformed into stones or minerals.

Creation of Plants, Sending down of Rain and Creation of Fire are Proof of Allah’s Oneness

After referring to the birth of man from very insignificant beginning, the Surah, from verse [ 63] onwards, proceeds to give a brief account of things upon which man’s life on earth depends. There are three principal things upon which man’s life in this world depends – food, water and fire. The first thing is food to which verse [ 63] refers.

was lost in the secondary or extrinsic causes and lost sight of his Real Creator and Master, the Primary or Intrinsic Cause of his creation. This unawareness was unveiled in a particular way. In a similar style, the reality of his source of nourishment is explicated. Allah poses the question to man: ‘Indeed you till the land and plant the seeds but who causes them to sprout and grow – you or Allah?’ When considered carefully, we will come up with the answer that the farmer or tiller has a very limited role to play. He ploughs the land and fertilizes the soil with manure, and thus softens it so that if the seed germinates, it will not be hampered by the hard ground.

All of man’s efforts move around this point. Once the plant sprouts, he takes care of it in that direction. But man is not the primary cause of the shoots pushing forth from the seed nor can he claim that he made the plant or tree. Therefore, we go back to the fundamental question: Who caused the seed lying under heaps and heaps of sand to germinate and come out to the surface of the earth so beautifully, comprising untold benefits? There can be only one answer to this question: The All-Encompassing Power and the Most Wonderful creation of the Master Creator of the universe.

Next to food, water is the most important thing upon which human life depends for its sustenance. Here too the Qur’an, in its inimitable style, poses the question: ‘Have you considered the water you drink? Did you send it down from the clouds, or did We send it?’ The answer is obvious: ‘Allah’. Fire plays a most important part in the life of man. Much of his physical comfort depends upon it. [ It is a thing of great utility. In this mechanistic age life is inconceivable without the use of fire. No industry, trade or travel is possible without it.] The Qur’an again, in its unique and unparalleled style, poses the question: ‘Have you considered the fire you kindle? Did you make its timber to grow, or did We make it?’ Here too the answer is obvious: ‘Allah’. Of course, in both instances the Qur’anic answers are elaborate.

فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَ‌بِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ (So, proclaim the purity of the name of your Lord, the Magnificent…56:74) The logical and rational conclusion of the above considerations should be for man to believe in the All-Encompassing Divine Power and in His Oneness, and declare the Purity of the Great Lord; for that is the way to express His gratitude.

Sequencing of Arguments

Preceding verses put forward rational arguments, in support of life after death, by inviting attention to Allah’s infinite power. The current verses are meant to prove this fact by giving an authoritative reference, that is, the Qur’an.

Allah swears to the Greatness of the Qur’ an

فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَاقِعِ النُّجُومِ (So, I swear by the setting places of the stars…56:75) The words لَا أُقْسِمُ ‘I swear’ are prefixed in the text by the particle لَا la [ no ] which is not translated in the text, because it is idiomatically prefixed to ‘oath’, as for example لَا وَاللہ la wallah [ No, by Allah ]. In pre-Islamic Arabic, we come across the idiomatic oath لَا وَ اَبَیکَ la wa-abik [ No, by your father ]. Some lexicologists say that the particle la is added only as an idiomatic expression [ zaidah ] which carries no sense, and others say that when the refutation of an addressee’s hypothesis is intended, y la is used to signify that the assumption of the addressee is not correct, but the right thing is that which follows.

The word مَوَاقِعِ mawaqi` is the plural of مَوقع mawq’ and refers to the points where or times when the stars set. Here, like in Surah -Najm وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ “By the star when it goes down to set, [ 1] “, the oath of stars is qualified by their setting-time. The wisdom underlying this is that when the stars set, their function seems to have been cut off from the horizon, and we witness effects of their vanishing. This is the proof of their perishability and dependence on Divine power.

إِنَّهُ لَقُرْ‌آنٌ كَرِ‌يمٌ فِي كِتَابٍ مَّكْنُونٍ لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُ‌ونَ (It is surely the Noble Qur’an (recorded already) in a protected book [ i.e. the Preserved Tablet ] that is not touched except by the purified ones [ the angels ]….77-79) Verses [ 75-76] constituted oath and the current set of verses is the subject of the oath jawab-ul-qasam ]. The Qur’an is a noble and glorious Book. The verse refutes the assumption of the pagans that this Book has been forged by a human being or that [ God forbid!] it is a speech inspired by the devil.

لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُ‌ونَ (that is not touched except by the purified ones …56:79). Two issues require clarification here. The commentators have different views about them, because the structure of verse 78 and 79 has two possibilities grammatically: The first possibility is that the phrase ‘that is not touched except by the purified ones’ is the qualification of the Preserved Tablet referred to in the previous verse. In this case, ‘the purified ones’ can refer only to angels, and the phrase ‘not touched’ cannot be taken in its literal sense of physical touch; it would rather mean ‘being aware of. The sense of the verse would be that no one is aware of the Preserved Tablet and its contents except the purified angels. (Qurtubi) This interpretation is adopted in Bayan-ul-Qur’an as well.

The second possibility is that the phrase ‘that is not touched except by the purified ones’ is taken as a qualification of the Qur’an referred to in the previous verse. In this case the word Qur’an would refer to the scrolls or scripts in which it is written, and ‘not touched, will remain in its literal sense of referring to physical touch by hand etc. The sense would be that the Script of the Qur’an is not touched by anyone except by the purified angels who bring revelation to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) . Since this interpretation does not need to take the word ‘touch’ in its figurative sense, Qurtubi and some other commentators have preferred this interpretation. Imam Malik (رح) says, ‘The best interpretation of verse [ 77 and 78] I have ever heard is what is mentioned in Surah عَبَسَ ‘Abas (80) verses [ 13-16[: فِي صُحُفٍ مُّكَرَّ‌مَةٍ مَّرْ‌فُوعَةٍ مُّطَهَّرَ‌ةٍ بِأَيْدِي سَفَرَ‌ةٍ كِرَ‌امٍ بَرَ‌رَ‌ةٍ (It is [ recorded ] in those scripts [ of the Preserved Tablet ] that are honoured, exalted, purified, in the hands of those scribes who are honourable, righteous.)

The second issue that requires consideration in this verse is what is meant by the phrase ‘the purified ones’. A large group of the Companions, their followers and leading authorities on Qur’anic commentary think that the referent of ‘the pure ones’ are the angels who are purified of the dross and adulteration of sins, and who are innocent. This is the view of Sayyidna Anas (رض) ، Said Ibn Jubair (رض) and of Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas (رض) . Imam Malik رحمة الله عليه has also adopted this view.

Some of the commentators think that Qur’an refers to the copy of the Holy Book that is in our hands, and the referent of the word ‘mutahharun’ (‘purified ones) are people free from minor impurity and major impurity. Minor impurity means to be without wudu’ and minor impurity can be cleansed by making wudu’ or tayammum [ cleaning with dust ]. Major impurity refers to the state of impurity which is caused by sexual intercourse, lustful discharge of semen during sleep, and menstrual and postpartum discharges.

Ghusl (having bath) is the only means of achieving purity from this state. This interpretation is placed on the text by ` Ata’, Taus, Salim and Muhammad Baqir رحمة الله عليهم . In this case, although verse “that is not touched except by the purified ones…56:79) is a declarative sentence, it is in fact used in the sense of prohibiting human beings to touch the Qur’an without being free from the minor and major impurities: The person who wishes to touch the Qur’an needs to be purified of the visible as well as the invisible impurities by taking wudu’, tayammum or ghusl, as required. Qurtubi and Mazhari prefer this interpretation.

In the incident of Sayyidna ` Umar’s (رض) embracing Islam, we come across the part of the story where he asked his sister to give him the pages of the Qur’an, she recited verse [ 79] of this Surah, refused to give him the pages and said ‘only the pure ones can touch it’. As a result, he was forced to take a bath, and then recite the contents of the pages. This incident also lends support to the last interpretation. The versions of the Tradition that prohibit the impure people from touching the Qur’an are put forward by some authorities too are in favour of the last interpretation.

However, since Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas, Areas (رض) and others have a different view about the interpretation of this verse, as mentioned above, many scholars did not base the prohibition of touching the Qur’an without ablution on verse [ 79]. Rather, the prohibition is established by the following Traditions:

Imam Malik (رح) cites, as evidence, the Holy Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) ` letter in his Muwatta’ which he wrote to ‘Amr Ibn Hazm. It contains the following statement: لَا یَمَسُّ القُرآنَ اِلَّا طَاھِرُ “Only a clean one may touch the Qur’an”. Ruh-ul-Ma’ ani gives the following references: Musnad of ` Abdurrazzaq, Ibn Abi Dawud and Ibn-ul-Mundhir, Tabarani and Ibn Marduyah record a Tradition on the authority of ` Abdullah Ibn ` Umar (رض) that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said: لَا یَمَسُّ القُرآنَ اِلَّا طَاھِرُ (Only a clean one may touch the Qur’an.)

Some Rulings about touching the Holy Qur’ an

(1) On the basis of the foregoing Prophetic Ahadith, the overwhelming majority of the ‘Ummah and the four major schools concur that ‘purity’ is a condition for the permissibility of touching the Holy Qur’an and it is not allowed to touch it in a state of impurity. It means that before touching the Holy Qur’an, one must make sure that no najasah (i.e. things declared by Shari’ah as filth) is attached to one’s hand, and that he or she is in the state of wudu’ and is not in the state of Janabah (the state in which it is obligatory to take bath.),

The divergence of interpretation referred to earlier is only in connection with whether or not verse [ 79] can be the basis of such a prohibition. Some jurists think that the verse as well as the relevant Traditions bear the same sense, hence they use them as supportive of each other in evidence of their ruling. Others, on account of divergence of interpretation among the Companions, exercised precaution in using the Qur’anic text as evidence in support of their ruling. But because of the Traditions, they ruled that touching the Qur’an without ablutions is impermissible. In sum, there are no differences in their rulings. The differences are only in supportive evidence of these rulings.

(2) If the Qur’an is in a cover which is sewn or permanently attached to it in some way, it is not permitted – according to the four major schools – for an unclean person to touch it without ablutions. If however the Qur’an is covered in something that is not permanently attached to it, an unclean person may, according to Imam Abu Hanifah (رح) ، touch it without ablutions. However, according to Imams Malik and Shafi` i, an unclean person is not permitted to touch it before taking ablutions. [ Mazhari ]

(3) If a person is wearing a garment, it is not lawful for him to touch the Qur’an with his sleeves or skirt if he is unclean. However, he may touch it with a handkerchief or-a sheet. [ Mazhari ]

(4) Scholars have ruled it which is proved by this very verse with grater force that a person in the state of janabah (sexual defilement) and a woman in the state of menstruation or postpartum bleeding cannot recite it, even from memory until bath has been taken, because if it is obligatory to honour the written letters of the Holy Qur’an by touching them only in the state of purity, its spoken words deserve the same honour with greater importance. The requirement of this honour should have been that even in the state of minor impurity a person should not be allowed to recite the Holy Qur’an. But Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas and ` Ali (رض) report that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) recited the Qur’an without wudu’. On this basis, the jurists have ruled that it is permissible to recite it without wudu’. (But in the case of major impurity the rule will remain intact). [ Mazhari ]

أَفَبِهَـٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ (Is it this discourse that you take lightly,…56:81) The word mudhinun is the plural of mudhin, being the active participle from اِذھَان idhan, which literally means ‘to apply or rub oil on the body’. When oil is applied or rubbed on the body, the muscles are relaxed, and parts of the body become soft and supple. By extension, the word is employed in the sense of showing flexibility and softness on inappropriate occasions. Hence, it is used in the sense of hypocrisy.

In the current verse the word is used in the sense of hypocrisy and rejection of Allah’s verses carelessly.

لَوْلَا إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْحُلْقُومَ ﴿٨٣﴾ وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍ تَنظُرُ‌ونَ ﴿٨٤﴾ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَ‌بُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُ‌ونَ ﴿٨٥﴾ فَلَوْلَا إِن كُنتُمْ غَيْرَ‌ مَدِينِينَ ﴿٨٦﴾ تَرْ‌جِعُونَهَا إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ ﴿٨٧﴾

(So why [ do you ] not [ interfere ] when the soul [ of a dying person ] reaches the throat, and you are watching? And We are closer to him than you, but you do not perceive. So, if you are not going to be recompensed [ in the Hereafter for your deeds ], then why do you not bring the soul back, if you are truthful?…56:83-87)

The preceding verses proved two facts through rational arguments and by swearing an oath by the falling stars: [ 1] that the Holy Qur’an-is the word of Allah. Neither Jinn nor devil can ever tamper with it. Everything it contains is the truth; and [ 2] one of the most fundamental articles of faith enshrined in the Qur’an is the Day of Resurrection and Reckoning. Towards the end of the passage, it is mentioned that the infidels and idolaters, in spite of clear arguments and evidence, reject life after death.

Their denial of Resurrection by the unbelievers, in a way, amounts to a claim that their lives and souls are under their own control, and they have a say in the matter of life and death. In order to refute this assumption, the above verses give the example of a dying person. When the soul reaches his throat, all of his near and dear ones look at him and express their desire that he may live longer, but none of them is able to intervene and save his life. All the people around him seem absolutely helpless. However, Allah is nearer to the dying person than the people around him even though they are unable to see Him. In other words, that is, He is nearer to him in terms of knowledge and power. He is fully aware of the person’s inner and outer conditions and has complete control over him.

In short, it is not within people’s power to get together and save a soul or life. Allah is nearer to a dying person than his soul or life. Allah has pre-designated a particular time for the soul to be separated from the body. None can avert it. In view of this graphic picture, the disbelievers are reminded that if they think that they cannot be resurrected after death, and they are too strong to come under Allah’s grasp, then they must restore the soul when it has reached the throat and is about to depart from the body or it has already departed and died. If it is not possible to do any of these, how illogical or irrational it is for man to think that he can escape the Divine grasp and reject life after death!

فَأَمَّا إِن كَانَ مِنَ الْمُقَرَّ‌بِينَ (So, in case he [ the dying person ] is from among those blessed with nearness…56:88). In the foregoing verses, it was made clear that one day the present world will come to an end. It was also testified that at the time of death the near and dear ones, friends and relatives, and doctors all stand helplessly around the dying person. Likewise, resurrection, reckoning, and reward and punishment, after account of deeds, are all a reality and certainty of the highest degree. At the commencement of the Surah, it was mentioned that there will be three categories of the people in regard to their reward or punishment. The gist of this subject is again summarized here. If the dying person is among the Foremost believers, he will experience comfort, fragrance of happiness and a Garden of bliss. If he is not from the Foremost, but from the People of the Right hand, i.e. from the general body of believers, he will also experience the bounties and pleasures of Paradise. But if he is one of the People of the Left hand, the deniers and the deviant ones, then he will be in the blazing fire of Hell where he will be served with boiling water to drink.

At the end of this subject the Qur’an says:

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ الْيَقِينِ (Indeed this is certainty in its true sense…56:95). None of the reward or punishment mentioned in the preceding verses is refutable because they are a dead certainty that has no room for any doubt or suspicion.

فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَ‌بِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ (So, proclaim the purity of the name of your Lord, the Magnificent… 56:96). The Surah concludes with an imperative addressed to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) to pronounce the tasbih of His Lord. This includes all kinds of tasbihat (rememberances)- within salah and outside salah. Salah itself is sometimes referred to as tasbih. Thus this verse enjoins to keep up the regular performance of salah.

[From Ma’ariful Quran English by Mufti Taqi Uthmani]

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