The Tafsīr of Sūrah Alif Lām Mīm As-Sajdah (Chapter - 32)

Which was revealed in Makkah

The Virtues of Sūrah Alif Lām Mīm As-Sajdah

Qur’an 32:1–11الٓمٓ تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ بَلْ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًا مَّآ أَتَىٰهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ مَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ يُدَبِّرُ ٱلْأَمْرَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يَعْرُجُ إِلَيْهِ فِى يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُۥٓ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ ذَٰلِكَ عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ مِن طِينٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسْلَهُۥ مِن سُلَٰلَةٍ مِّن مَّآءٍ مَّهِينٍ ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ وَقَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا ضَلَلْنَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍۭ بَلْ هُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ كَٰفِرُونَ قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم مَّلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ

In the Book of the Friday prayer, Al-Bukhāri recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "The Prophet ﷺ used to recite in Fajr on Fridays:

«

Qur’an 32:1–2الٓمٓ تَنزِيلُ

«Alif Lām Mīm. The revelation of...», As-Sajdah, and «

Qur’an 76:1هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ

«Has there not been over man...» Al-Insān (76).”^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 2:438.} This was also recorded by Muslim.^{2Muslim 2:599.}

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Jābir said, "The Prophet ﷺ would never sleep until he recited:

«

Qur’an 32:1–2الٓمٓ تَنزِيلُ

» «Alif Lām Mīm. The revelation of...», As-Sajdah, and

Qur’an 67:1تَبَٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ

«Blessed be He in Whose Hand is the dominion» Al-Mulk (67)."^^{3Aḥmad 3:340.}

Qur’anبِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Qur’an 32:1–3الٓمٓ تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ بَلْ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًا مَّآ أَتَىٰهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ

«1. Alif Lām Mīm.»

«2. The revelation of the Book in which there is no doubt, is from the Lord of all that exists.»

«3. Or say they: "He has fabricated it?" Nay, it is the truth from your Lord, so that you may warn a people to whom no warner has come before you, in order that they may be guided.»

The Qur'ān is the Book of Allāh in which there is no Doubt

We discussed the individual letters at the beginning of Sūrat Al-Baqarah, and there is no need to repeat it here.

Qur’an 32:2تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ

«The revelation of the Book in which there is no doubt,»

means, there is no doubt whatsoever that it has been revealed

Qur’an 32:2مِن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«from the Lord of all that exists.» Then Allāh tells us about the idolators:

Qur’anأَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ

«Or say they: "He has fabricated it?"»: they say, he has fabricated it, i.e., he has made it up by himself.

Qur’an 32:3بَلْ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًا مَّآ أَتَىٰهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ

«Nay, it is the truth from your Lord, so that you may warn a people to whom no warner has come before you, in order that they may be guided.»

means, in order that they may follow the truth.

Qur’an 32:4–6ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ مَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ يُدَبِّرُ ٱلْأَمْرَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يَعْرُجُ إِلَيْهِ فِى يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُۥٓ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ ذَٰلِكَ عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

«4. Allāh it is He Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them in six Days. Then He Istawā over the Throne. You have none, besides Him, as a protector or an intercessor. Will you not then remember?»

«5. He directs the command from the heavens to the earth; then it will go up to Him, in one Day, the space whereof is a thousand years of your reckoning.»

«6. That is He, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.»

Allāh is the Creator and Controller of the Universe

Allāh tells us that He is the Creator of all things. He created the heavens and earth and all that is between them in six days, then He rose over the Throne - we have already discussed this matter elsewhere.^{1See volume four, the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-A'rāf (7:54).}

Qur’an 32:4مَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ

«You have none, besides Him, as a protector or an intercessor»

means, only He is the Sovereign Who is in control of all affairs, the Creator of all things, the Controller of all things, the One Who is able to do all things. There is no Creator besides Him, no intercessor except the one to whom He gives permission.

Qur’an 32:4أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ

«Will you not then remember?» - this is addressed to those who worship others apart from Him and put their trust in others besides Him - exalted and sanctified and glorified be He above having any equal, partner, supporter, rival or peer, there is no God or Lord except Him.

Qur’an 32:5يُدَبِّرُ ٱلْأَمْرَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يَعْرُجُ إِلَيْهِ

«He directs the command from the heavens to the earth; then it will go up to Him,»

means, His command comes down from above the heavens to the furthest boundary of the seventh earth. This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 65:12ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَٰوَٰتٍ وَمِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ ٱلْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ

«It is Allāh Who has created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof. The command descends between them, » (65:12)

Deeds are raised up to the place of recording above the lowest heaven. The distance between heaven and earth is the distance of five hundred years traveling, and the thickness of the heaven is the distance of five hundred years. Mujāhid, Qatādah and Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said, "The distance covered by the angel when he descends or ascends is the distance of five hundred years, but he covers it in the blink of an eye." Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:5–6فِى يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُۥٓ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ ذَٰلِكَ عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ

«in one Day, the measurement of which is a thousand years of your reckoning. That is He, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen,»

meaning, He is controlling all these affairs. He sees all that His servants do, and all their deeds, major and minor, significant and insignificant, ascend to Him. He is the Almighty Who has subjugated all things to His control, and to Whom everybody submits, and He is Most Merciful to His believing servants. He is Almighty in His mercy and Most Merciful in His might. This is perfection: might combined with mercy and mercy combined with might, for He is Merciful without any hint of weakness.

Qur’an 32:7–9ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ مِن طِينٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسْلَهُۥ مِن سُلَٰلَةٍ مِّن مَّآءٍ مَّهِينٍ ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ

«7. Who made everything He has created good and He began the creation of man from clay.»

«8. Then He made his offspring from semen of despised water.»

«9. Then He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him the soul; and He gave you hearing, sight and the sense of deduction. Little is the thanks you give!»

The Creation of Man in Stages

Allāh tells us that He has created everything well and formed everything in a goodly fashion. Mālik said, narrating from Zayd bin Aslam:

Qur’an 32:7ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ

«Who made everything He has created good»

means, "He created everything well and in a goodly fashion." When Allāh mentions the creation of the heavens and the earth, He follows that by mentioning the creation of man. Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:7وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ مِن طِينٍ

«and He began the creation of man from clay.» meaning, He created the father of mankind, Ādam, from clay.

Qur’an 32:8ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسْلَهُۥ مِن سُلَٰلَةٍ مِّن مَّآءٍ مَّهِينٍ

«Then He made his offspring from semen of despised water.»

means, they reproduce in this fashion, from a Nutfah which comes from the loins of men and from between the ribs of women.

Qur’an 32:9ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ

«Then He fashioned him in due proportion,»

means, when He created Ādam from clay, He created him and gave him shape and made him upright.

Qur’an 32:9وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ

«and breathed into him the soul; and He gave you hearing, sight and the sense of deduction.»

means, reason.

Qur’an 32:9قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ

«Little is the thanks you give!» means, for these strengths with which Allāh has provided you; the one who is truly blessed is the one who uses them to worship and obey his Lord, may He be exalted and glorified.

Qur’an 32:10–11وَقَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا ضَلَلْنَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍۭ بَلْ هُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ كَٰفِرُونَ قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم مَّلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ

«10. And they say: "When we are lost in the earth, shall we indeed be created anew?" Nay, but they deny the meeting with their Lord!»

«11. Say: "The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord."»

Refutation of Those Who think the Resurrection is unlikely to happen

Allāh tells us how the idolators thought it unlikely that the resurrection would ever come to pass, and how they said:

Qur’an 32:10أَءِذَا ضَلَلْنَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ

«When we are lost in the earth,»

meaning, 'when our bodies have been scattered and have disintegrated and dispersed in the earth,'

Qur’an 32:10أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍۭ

«shall we indeed be created anew?»

means, 'after that, will we come back again?' They thought it unlikely that this would happen, and in terms of their own feeble abilities it is indeed unlikely, but this is not the case with regard to the power of the One Who created them from nothing, Who when He wills a thing merely says to it, "Be!" and it is. Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:10بَلْ هُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ كَٰفِرُونَ

«Nay, but they deny the meeting with their Lord!» Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:11قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم مَّلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ

«Say: "The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your

Qur’an 32:12–20وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ نَاكِسُوا۟ رُءُوسِهِمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ رَبَّنَآ أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا فَٱرْجِعْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَٰلِحًا إِنَّا مُوقِنُونَ وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَـَٔاتَيْنَا كُلَّ نَفْسٍ هُدَىٰهَا وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّ ٱلْقَوْلُ مِنِّى لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ فَذُوقُوا۟ بِمَا نَسِيتُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَآ إِنَّا نَسِينَٰكُمْ وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْخُلْدِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهَا خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا۟ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ أَفَمَن كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقًا لَّا يَسْتَوُۥنَ أَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّٰتُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا۟ فَمَأْوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَآ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ

souls..."»

The apparent meaning of this Āyah is that the angel of death is a specific personality among the angels, as is also apparent from the Ḥadīth of Al-Barā' which we quoted in (our Tafsīr of) Sūrah Ibrāhīm.^{1See volume five, the Tafsīr of Sūrah Ibrāhīm (14:27).} In some reports he (the angel of death) is called 'Izrā'īl, which is well known. This is the view of Qatādah and others. The angel of death has helpers.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:175.} It was reported in the Ḥadīth that his helpers draw out the soul from the rest of the body until it reaches the throat, then the angel of death takes it. Mujāhid said, "The earth is brought together for him and it is like a platter from which he takes whenever he wants."^^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:175.}

Qur’anثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ

«Then you shall be brought to your Lord.»

means, on the Day when you are resurrected and brought forth from your graves to receive your reward or punishment.

Qur’an 32:12–13وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ نَاكِسُوا۟ رُءُوسِهِمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ رَبَّنَآ أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا فَٱرْجِعْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَٰلِحًا إِنَّا مُوقِنُونَ وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَـَٔاتَيْنَا كُلَّ نَفْسٍ هُدَىٰهَا وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّ ٱلْقَوْلُ مِنِّى لَأَمْلَأَنَّ

Qur’an 32:13–14جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ فَذُوقُوا۟ بِمَا نَسِيتُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَآ إِنَّا نَسِينَٰكُمْ وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْخُلْدِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

«12. And if you only could see when the criminals shall hang their heads before their Lord (saying): "Our Lord! We have now seen and heard, so send us back that we will do righteous good deeds. Verily, we now believe with certainty."»

«13. And if We had willed, surely We would have given every person his guidance, but the Word from Me took effect, that I will fill Hell with Jinn and mankind together.»

«14. Then taste because of your forgetting the meeting of this Day of yours. Surely, We too will forget you, so taste you the abiding torment for what you used to do.»

The Bad State in which the Idolators will be on the Day of Resurrection

Allāh tells us the state of the idolators on the Day of Resurrection and what they will say when they see the Resurrection and are standing before Allāh - may He be glorified - humiliated and brought low, with their heads bowed, i.e., in shame. They will say:

Qur’an 32:12رَبَّنَآ أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا

«Our Lord! We have now seen and heard,»

meaning, 'now we hear what You say and we will obey You.' This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 19:38أَسْمِعْ بِهِمْ وَأَبْصِرْ يَوْمَ يَأْتُونَنَا

«How clearly will they see and hear, the Day when they will appear before Us!» (19:38).

And they will blame themselves when they enter the Fire, and will say:

Qur’an 67:10لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِىٓ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ

«"Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we would not have been among the dwellers of the blazing Fire!"» [67:10]

Similarly, here they are described as saying:

Qur’an 32:12رَبَّنَآ أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا فَٱرْجِعْنَا

«Our Lord! We have now seen and heard, so send us back» to the world,

Qur’an 32:12نَعْمَلْ صَٰلِحًا إِنَّا مُوقِنُونَ

«that we will do righteous good deeds. Verily, we now believe with certainty.»

means, 'now we are sure and we believe that Your promise is true and that the meeting with You is true.' But the Lord, may He be exalted, knows that if He were to send them back to this world, they would behave as they did previously, and they would reject and disbelieve in the signs of Allāh and would go against His Messengers, as He says:

Qur’an 6:27وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ وُقِفُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ فَقَالُوا۟ يَٰلَيْتَنَا نُرَدُّ وَلَا نُكَذِّبَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّنَا

«If you could but see when they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say: "Would that we were but sent back! Then we would not deny the Āyāt of our Lord,"» (6: 27)

And Allāh says here:

Qur’an 32:13وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَـَٔاتَيْنَا كُلَّ نَفْسٍ هُدَىٰهَا

«And if We had willed, surely We would have given every person his guidance,»

This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 10:99وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَـَٔامَنَ مَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا

«And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together» (10:99).

Qur’an 32:13وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّ ٱلْقَوْلُ مِنِّى لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ

«but the Word from Me took effect, that I will fill Hell with Jinn and mankind together.»

i.e., from both classes, so their abode will be Hell and they will have no escape from it and no way out. We seek refuge with Allāh and in His perfect Words from that.

Qur’an 32:14فَذُوقُوا۟ بِمَا نَسِيتُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَآ

«Then taste because of your forgetting the meeting of this Day of yours.»

means, it will be said to the people of Hell by way of rebuke: 'taste this punishment because you denied it and believed that it would never happen; you tried to forget about it and acted as if you had forgotten it.'

Qur’an 32:14إِنَّا نَسِينَٰكُمْ

«Surely, We too will forget you,» means, 'We will deal with you as if We have forgotten you,' but nothing escapes Allāh's attention, and He makes the punishment fit the crime, as He says:

Qur’an 45:34ٱلْيَوْمَ نَنسَىٰكُمْ كَمَا نَسِيتُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا

«This Day We will forget you as you forgot the meeting of this Day of yours» (45:34).

Qur’an 32:14وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْخُلْدِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

«so taste you the abiding torment for what you used to do.»

i.e., because of your disbelief and rejection, as Allāh says in another Āyah:

Qur’an 78:24–25لَّا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا بَرْدًا وَلَا شَرَابًا إِلَّا حَمِيمًا وَغَسَّاقًا

«Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink. Except Ḥamīm, and Ghassāq» until:

Qur’an 78:30فَلَن نَّزِيدَكُمْ إِلَّا عَذَابًا

«No increase shall We give you, except in torment» (78:24-30).

Qur’an 32:15–17إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهَا خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا۟ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

«15. Only those believe in Our Āyāt, who, when they are reminded of them, fall down prostrate, and glorify the praises of their Lord, and they are not proud.»

«16. Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend out of what We have bestowed on them.»

«17. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of delights of eyes as a reward for what they used to do.» The State of the People of Faith and Their Reward

Allāh states:

Qur’an 32:15إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا

«Only those believe in Our Āyāt,» means, who accept them as true,

Qur’an 32:15ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهَا خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًا

«who, when they are reminded of them, fall down prostrate,» means, they listen to them and obey them in word and deed.

Qur’an 32:15وَسَبَّحُوا۟ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ

«and glorify the praises of their Lord, and they are not proud.» means, they are not too proud to follow them and submit to them, unlike the ignorant among the rebellious disbelievers. Allāh says:

Qur’an 40:60إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

«Verily, those who scorn My worship, they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!» (40:60).

Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:16تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ

«Their sides forsake their beds,» meaning, they pray the voluntary night prayer and forego sleep and resting on a comfortable bed. Mujāhid and Al-Ḥasan said that the Āyah

Qur’an 32:16تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ

«Their sides forsake their beds,» refers to voluntary night prayer.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:180.} Ad-Ḍaḥḥāk said, "It refers to Salāt Al-'Ishā' in congregation and Salāt Al-Fajr in congregation.

Qur’an 32:16يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا

«to invoke their Lord in fear and hope,» means, in fear of His punishment and in hope of His reward.

Qur’an 32:16وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

«and they spend out of what We have bestowed on them.» means, they do both obligatory and supererogatory acts of worship. Their leader in this world and the Hereafter is the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ.

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Mu‘ādh bin Jabal said, “I was with the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ on a journey one morning, walking near him. I said, ‘O Prophet of Allāh, tell me of a deed that will grant me admittance to Paradise and keep me away from Hell.’ He said:

Ḥadīthلَقَدْ سَأَلْتَ عَنْ عَظِيمٍ وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسِيرٌ عَلَى مَنْ يَسَّرَهُ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ، تَعْبُدُ اللهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَتُقِيمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَتُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ، وَتَصُومُ رَمَضَانَ، وَتَحُجُّ الْبَيْتَ

«You have asked about something great, and it is easy for the one for whom Allāh makes it easy. Worship Allāh and do not associate anything with Him, establish regular prayer, pay Zakāh, fast Ramaḍān and perform pilgrimage to the House.»

Then he said:

Ḥadīthأَلَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الْخَيْرِ؟ الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ، وَالصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِيءُ الْخَطِيئَةَ، وَصَلَاةُ الرَّجُلِ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ

«Shall I not tell you of the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield, charity wipes out sin, and the prayer of a man in the depths of the night.»

Then he recited:

Qur’an 32:16تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ

«Their sides forsake their beds,» until he reached

Qur’an 32:17جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

«as a reward for what they used to do.»

Then he said:

Ḥadīthأَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِرَأْسِ الْأَمْرِ وَعَمُودِهِ وَذِرْوَةِ سَنَامِهِ؟

«Shall I not tell you of the greatest of all things and its pillars and pinnacle?»

I said, ‘Of course, O Messenger of Allāh.’ He said:

Ḥadīthرَأْسُ الْأَمْرِ الْإِسْلَامُ، وَعَمُودُهُ الصَّلَاةُ، وَذِرْوَةُ سَنَامِهِ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ

«The greatest of all things is Islām, its pillars are the prayers and its pinnacle is Jihād for the sake of Allāh.» Then he said:

Ḥadīthأَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِمَلَاكِ ذٰلِكَ كُلِّهِ؟

«Shall I not tell you the factor on which all of that depends?» I said, 'Of course, O Messenger of Allāh.' He took hold of his tongue and said,

Ḥadīthكُفَّ عَلَيْكَ هٰذَا

«Restrain this.» I said, 'O Messenger of Allāh, will we be accountable for what we say?' He said,

Ḥadīthثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ يَا مُعَاذُ، وَهَلْ يَكُبُّ النَّاسَ فِي النَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ - أَوْ قَالَ: عَلَىٰ مَنَاخِرِهِمْ - إِلَّا حَصَائِدُ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ

«May your mother be bereft of you, O Mu‘ādh! Will the people be thrown into Hell - (or he said) on their faces - except because of what their tongues say?»^{2Aḥmad 5:231.} It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasā’i and Ibn Mājah in their Sunans. At-Tirmidhi said, “It is Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ.”^{3Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 7:361, An-Nasā’ī in Al-Kubrā 6:428, Ibn Mājah 2:1314.}

Qur’an 32:17فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ

«No person knows what is kept hidden for them of delights of eyes» means, no one knows the vastness of what Allāh has concealed for them of everlasting joy in Paradise and delights such as no one has ever seen. Because they conceal their good deeds, Allāh conceals the reward for them, a fitting reward which will suit their deeds. Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣri said, “If people conceal their good deeds, Allāh will conceal for them what no eye has seen and what has never crossed the mind of man. It was recorded by Ibn Abi Ḥātim. Al-Bukhāri quoted the Āyah:

Qur’an 32:17فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ

«No person knows what is kept hidden for them of delights of eyes»

Qur’an 32:21–30وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَدْنَىٰ دُونَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَآ إِنَّا مِنَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَٰبَ فَلَا تَكُن فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَآئِهِۦ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَٰكِنِهِمْ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ أَفَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَسُوقُ ٱلْمَآءَ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْجُرُزِ فَنُخْرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرْعًا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ أَنْعَٰمُهُمْ وَأَنفُسُهُمْ أَفَلَا يُبْصِرُونَ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلْفَتْحُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ قُلْ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَتْحِ لَا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِيمَٰنُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَٱنتَظِرْ إِنَّهُم مُّنتَظِرُونَ

Then he recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthقَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَىٰ: أَعْدَدْتُ لِعِبَادِي الصَّالِحِينَ مَا لَا عَيْنٌ رَأَتْ، وَلَا أُذُنٌ سَمِعَتْ، وَلَا خَطَرَ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ

«Allāh says: “I have prepared for My right- eous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and it has never crossed the mind of man.”» Abu Hurayrah said: “Recite, if you wish:

Qur’an 32:17فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ

«No person knows what is kept hidden for them of delights of eyes.»^{4Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:375.} It was also recorded by Muslim and At-Tirmidhi. At-Tirmidhi said, “It is Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ.”^{5Muslim 4:2174, Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:56.} In another version of Al-Bukhāri:

Ḥadīthوَلَا خَطَرَ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ، ذُخْرًا مِنْ بَلْهِ مَا أُطْلِعْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ

«“and no body has ever even imagined of. All that is reserved, besides which, all that you have seen is nothing.”» It was also reported from Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, that the Prophet ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthمَنْ يَدْخُلِ الْجَنَّةَ يَنْعَمْ لَا يَبْأَسْ، لَا تَبْلَىٰ ثِيَابُهُ، وَلَا يَفْنَىٰ شَبَابُهُ، فِي الْجَنَّةِ مَا لَا عَيْنٌ رَأَتْ، وَلَا أُذُنٌ سَمِعَتْ، وَلَا خَطَرَ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ

«Whoever enters Paradise, will enjoy a life of luxury and never feel deprivation, his clothes will never wear out, his youth will never fade. In Paradise there is what no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and has never crossed the mind of man.» This was recorded by Muslim.^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:186, Muslim 4:2181.}

Qur’an 32:18–22أَفَمَن كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقًا لَّا يَسْتَوُۥنَ أَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّٰتُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا۟ فَمَأْوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَآ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَدْنَىٰ دُونَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَآ إِنَّا مِنَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ

«18. Is then he who is a believer like him who is rebellious? Not equal are they.» «19. As for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, for them are Gardens of Abode as an entertainment for what they used to do.» «20. And as for those who rebel, their abode will be the Fire, every time they wish to get away therefrom, they will be put back thereto, and it will be said to them: “Taste you the torment of the Fire which you used to deny.”» «21. And verily, We will make them taste of the near lighter torment prior to the greater torment, in order that they may return.» «22. And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Āyāt of his Lord, then turns aside therefrom? Verily, We shall exact retribution from the criminals.»

The Believer and the Rebellious are not equal Allāh tells us that in His justice and generosity, on the Day of Judgement He will not judge those who believed in His signs and followed His Messengers, in the same way as He will judge those who rebelled, disobeyed Him and rejected the Messengers sent by Allāh to them. This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 45:21أَمْ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱجْتَرَحُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن نَّجْعَلَهُمْ كَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ سَوَآءً مَّحْيَاهُمْ وَمَمَاتُهُمْ سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

«Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous good deeds, in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgement that they make.» (45:21),

Qur’an 38:28أَمْ نَجْعَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ كَٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ كَٱلْفُجَّارِ

«Shall We treat those who believe and do righteous good deeds as corruptors on earth? Or shall We treat those who have Taqwā as the wicked?» (38:28)

Qur’an 59:20لَا يَسْتَوِىٓ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ

«Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise...» (59:20). Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:18أَفَمَن كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقًا لَّا يَسْتَوُۥنَ

«Is then he who is a believer like him who is a rebellious? Not equal are they.» i.e., before Allāh on the Day of Resurrection. ‘Aṭā’ bin Yasār, As-Suddī and others mentioned that this was revealed concerning ‘Ali bin Abi Ṭālib and ‘Uqbah bin Abi Mu‘īṭ.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:188.} Hence Allāh has judged between them when He said:

Qur’an 32:19أَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ

«As for those who believe and do righteous good deeds,» meaning, their hearts believed in the signs of Allāh, and they did as the signs of Allāh dictate, i.e. righteous good deeds.

Qur’an 32:19فَلَهُمْ جَنَّٰتُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ

«for them are Gardens of Abode» i.e., in which there are dwellings and houses and lofty apartments.

Qur’an 32:19نُزُلًۢا

«as an entertainment» means, something to welcome and honor a guest,

Qur’an 32:19–20بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا۟

«for what they used to do. And as for those who rebel,» means, those who disobeyed Allāh, their dwelling place will be the Fire, and every time they want to escape from it, they will be thrown back in, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 22:22كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِنْ غَمٍّ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا

«Every time they seek to get away therefrom, from anguish, they will be driven back therein» (22:22). Al-Fuḍayl bin ‘Iyāḍ said: “By Allāh, their hands will be tied, their feet will be chained, the flames will lift them up and the angels will strike them.

Qur’an 32:20وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ

«and it will be said to them: “Taste you the torment of the Fire which you used to deny.”»” means, this will be said to them by way of rebuke and chastisement.

Qur’an 32:21وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَدْنَىٰ دُونَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَكْبَرِ

«And verily, We will make them taste of the near lighter torment prior to the greater torment,» Ibn ‘Abbās said, “The near torment means diseases and problems in this world, and the things that happen to its people as a test from Allāh to His servants so that they will repent to Him.”^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:189.} Something similar was also narrated from Ubayy bin Ka‘b, Abu Al-'Āliyah, Al-Ḥasan, Ibrāhīm An-Nakha‘ī, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, ‘Alqamah, ‘Aṭiyah, Mujāhid, Qatādah, ‘Abd Al-Karīm Al-Jazari and Khuṣayf.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:189, 190.}

Qur’an 32:22وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَآ

«And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Āyāt of his Lord, then turns aside therefrom?» means, there is no one who does more wrong than the one whom Allāh reminds of His signs and explains them to him clearly, then after that he neglects and ignores them, and turns away from them, forgetting them as if he does not know them. Qatādah said: “Beware of turning away from the remembrance of Allāh, for whoever turns away from remembering Him will be the most misguided and the most in need, and the most guilty of sin.” Allāh says, warning the one who does that:

Qur’an 32:22إِنَّا مِنَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ

«Verily, We shall exact retribution from the criminals.» meaning, 'We shall avenge Ourselves on those who do that in the strongest possible terms.'

Qur’an 32:23–25وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَٰبَ فَلَا تَكُن فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَآئِهِۦ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ

«23. And indeed We gave Mūsā the Scripture. So, be not you in doubt of meeting him. And We made it a guide to the Children of Israel.» «24. And We made from among them, leaders, giving guidance under Our command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Āyāt.» «25. Verily, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection, concerning that wherein they used to differ.»

The Book of Mūsā and the Leadership of the Children of Israel Allāh tells us that He gave the Book – the Tawrāh – to His servant and Messenger Mūsā, peace be upon him.

Qur’an 32:23فَلَا تَكُن فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَآئِهِۦ

«So, be not you in doubt of meeting him.» Qatādah said, “This refers to the Night of Isrā’,”^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:193.} then he narrated that Abu Al-‘Āliyah Ar-Riyāḥi said, “The cousin of your Prophet, meaning Ibn ‘Abbās, told me that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthأُرِيتُ لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِي مُوسَىٰ بْنَ عِمْرَانَ رَجُلًا آدَمَ طِوَالًا جَعْدًا كَأَنَّهُ مِنْ رِجَالِ شَنُوءَةَ، وَرَأَيْتُ عِيسَىٰ رَجُلًا مَرْبُوعَ الْخَلْقِ إِلَى الْحُمْرَةِ وَالْبَيَاضِ، سَبْطَ الرَّأْسِ، وَرَأَيْتُ مَالِكًا خَازِنَ النَّارِ وَالدَّجَّالَ

«On the night of Isrā’, I saw Mūsā bin ‘Imrān, a tall, brown-skinned man with curly hair, looking like the men of Shanū’ah; and I saw ‘Īsā, a man of medium stature and ruddy white skin, and with lank hair. And I saw Mālik the Keeper of Hell, and the Dajjāl.»

Among the signs which Allāh showed him were:

Qur’an 32:23فَلَا تَكُن فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَآئِهِۦ

«So, be not you in doubt of meeting him.» i.e., he saw Mūsā and met with him on the Night of Isrā’.”^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:194.}

Qur’an 32:23وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ

«And We made it» means, ‘the Book which We gave to him,’

Qur’an 32:23هُدًى لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

«a guide to the Children of Israel.» This is similar to what Allāh says in Sūrat Al-Isrā’:

Qur’an 17:2وَءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَلَّا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن دُونِى وَكِيلًا

«And We gave Mūsā the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel (saying): “Take none other than Me as Trustee.”» (17:2)

Qur’an 32:24وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ

«And We made from among them, leaders, giving guidance under Our command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Āyāt.»

means, because they were patient in adhering to the commands of Allāh and avoiding what He prohibited, and they believed in His Messengers and followed what they brought, there were among them leaders who guided others to the truth by the command of Allāh, calling for goodness, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. Then when they changed [the Words of Allāh], twisting and distorting them, they lost that position and their hearts became hard. They change the words from their places, so they do no righteous deeds and have no correct beliefs. Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:24وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا۟

«And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our command, when they were patient» Qatādah and Sufyān said: “When they patiently shunned the temptations of this world.” This was also the view of Al-Ḥasan bin Ṣāliḥ. Sufyān said, “This is how these people were. A man cannot be an example to be followed unless he shuns the temptation of this world.” Allāh says:

Qur’an 45:16–17وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحُكْمَ وَٱلنُّبُوَّةَ وَرَزَقْنَٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَفَضَّلْنَٰهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُم بَيِّنَٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ

«And indeed We gave the Children of Israel the Scripture, and the understanding of the Scripture and its laws, and the prophethood; and provided them with good things, and preferred them above the nations. And We gave them clear proofs in matters.» (45:16-17). And He says here:

Qur’an 32:25إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ

«Verily, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection, concerning that wherein they used to differ.» meaning, with regard to beliefs and actions.

Qur’an 32:26–27أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَٰكِنِهِمْ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ أَفَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَسُوقُ ٱلْمَآءَ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْجُرُزِ فَنُخْرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرْعًا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ أَنْعَٰمُهُمْ وَأَنفُسُهُمْ أَفَلَا يُبْصِرُونَ

«26. Is it not a guidance for them: how many generations We have destroyed before them in whose dwellings they do walk about? Verily, therein indeed are signs. Would they not then listen?»

«27. Have they not seen how We drive water to the dry land that has no vegetation, and therewith bring forth crops providing food for their cattle and themselves? Will they not then see?»

Learning the Lessons of the Past Allāh says: will these people who deny the Messengers not learn from the nations who came before them, whom Allāh destroyed for their rejection of His Messengers and their opposition to what the Messengers brought them of the straight path? No trace is left of them whatsoever.

Qur’an 19:98هَلْ تُحِسُّ مِنْهُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَوْ تَسْمَعُ لَهُمْ رِكْزًۢا

«Can you find a single one of them or hear even a whisper of them?» (19:98). Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:26يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَٰكِنِهِمْ

«in whose dwellings they do walk about» meaning, these disbelievers walk about in the places where those disbelievers used to live, but they do not see any of those who used to live there, for they have gone –

Qur’anكَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْا۟ فِيهَآ

«As if they had never lived there» (11:68) This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 27:52فَتِلْكَ بُيُوتُهُمْ خَاوِيَةًۢ بِمَا ظَلَمُوٓا۟

«These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong» (27:52).

Qur’an 22:45–46فَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَٰهَا وَهِىَ ظَالِمَةٌ فَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَبِئْرٍ مُّعَطَّلَةٍ وَقَصْرٍ مَّشِيدٍ أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ

«And many a township did We destroy while they were given to wrongdoing, so that it lie in ruins, and (many) a deserted well and lofty castle! Have they not traveled through the land» until:

Qur’an 22:46وَلَٰكِن تَعْمَى ٱلْقُلُوبُ ٱلَّتِى فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ

«but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.» (22:45-46) Allāh says here:

Qur’anإِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ

«Verily, therein indeed are signs.» meaning, in the fact that these people are gone and have been destroyed, and in what happened to them because they disbelieved the Messengers, and how those who believed in them were saved, there are many signs, proofs and important lessons.

Qur’an 32:26أَفَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ

«Would they not then listen?» means, to the stories of those who came before and what happened to them.

The Revival of the Earth with Water is Proof of the Resurrection to come

Qur’an 32:27أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَسُوقُ ٱلْمَآءَ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْجُرُزِ

«Have they not seen how We drive water to the dry land» Here Allāh explains His kindness and goodness towards them by His sending water to them, whether from the sky or from water flowing through the land, water carried by rivers down from the mountains to the lands that need it at particular times. Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:27إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْجُرُزِ

«to the dry land» which means the land where nothing grows, as in the Āyah,

Qur’an 18:8وَإِنَّا لَجَٰعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا

«And verily, We shall make all that is on it a bare dry soil.» (18:8) i.e., barren land where nothing grows. Allāh says here:

Qur’an 32:27أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَسُوقُ ٱلْمَآءَ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْجُرُزِ فَنُخْرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرْعًا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ أَنْعَٰمُهُمْ وَأَنفُسُهُمْ أَفَلَا يُبْصِرُونَ

«Have they not seen how We drive water to the dry land that has no vegetation, and therewith bring forth crops providing food for their cattle and themselves? Will they not then see?» This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 80:24–25فَلْيَنظُرِ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِهِۦٓ أَنَّا صَبَبْنَا ٱلْمَآءَ صَبًّا

«Then let man look at his food: We pour forth water in abundance.» (80:24-25). Allāh says here:

Qur’an 32:27أَفَلَا يُبْصِرُونَ

«Will they not then see?»

Qur’an 32:28–30وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلْفَتْحُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ قُلْ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَتْحِ لَا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِيمَٰنُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَٱنتَظِرْ إِنَّهُم مُّنتَظِرُونَ

«28. They say: “When will this Fatḥ be, if you are telling the truth?”» «29. Say: “On the Day of Al-Fatḥ, no profit will it be to those who disbelieve if they (then) believe! Nor will they be granted a respite.”» «30. So turn aside from them and await, verily, they (too) are awaiting.»

How the Disbelievers sought to hasten on the Punishment, and what happened to Them Allāh tells us how the disbelievers sought to hasten on the punishment, and to bring the wrath and vengeance of Allāh upon themselves, because they thought this punishment would never happen, and because of their disbelief and stubbornness.

Qur’an 32:28وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلْفَتْحُ

«They say: “When will this Fatḥ be...”» meaning, ‘when will you prevail over us, O Muḥammad, since you claim that there will be a time when you will gain the upper hand over us and take your revenge on us, so when will that happen? All we see of you and your companions is that you are hiding, afraid and humiliated.’ Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:29قُلْ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَتْحِ

«Say: “On the Day of Al-Fatḥ...”» meaning, ‘when the wrath and punishment of Allāh befall you, in this world and the next,'

Qur’an 32:29لَا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِيمَٰنُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ

«no profit will it be to those who disbelieve if they (then) believe! Nor will they be granted a respite.»

This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 40:83فَلَمَّا جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَرِحُوا۟ بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ

«Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad with that which they had of the knowledge...» (40:83-85)

Those who claim that this refers to the conquest of Makkah go too far, and have made a grievous mistake, for on the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ accepted the Islām of the freed Makkan prisoners-of-war, who numbered nearly two thousand. If what was meant by this Āyah was the conquest of Makkah, he would not have accepted their Islām, because Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:29قُلْ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَتْحِ لَا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِيمَٰنُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ

«Say: "On the Day of Al-Fatḥ, no profit will it be to those who disbelieve if they (then) believe! Nor will they be granted a respite."»

What is meant by Al-Fatḥ here is Judgement, as in the Āyāt:

Qur’an 26:118فَٱفْتَحْ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَهُمْ فَتْحًا

«[Nūḥ said:] So Aftah (judge) between me and them» (26:118). and:

Qur’an 34:26قُلْ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا رَبُّنَا ثُمَّ يَفْتَحُ بَيْنَنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ

«Say: "Our Lord will assemble us all together, then He will judge between us with truth"» (34:26).

Qur’an 14:15وَٱسْتَفْتَحُوا۟ وَخَابَ كُلُّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ

«And they sought judgement and every obstinate, arrogant dictator was brought to a complete loss and destruction.» (14:15)

Qur’an 2:89وَكَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟

«although aforetime they had invoked Allāh to pass judgement over those who disbelieved» (2:89)

Qur’an 8:19إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُوا۟ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلْفَتْحُ

«If you ask for a judgement, now has the judgement come unto you» (8:19). Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:30فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَٱنتَظِرْ إِنَّهُم مُّنتَظِرُونَ

«So turn aside from them and await, verily, they (too) are awaiting.» meaning, 'turn away from these idolators, and convey that which has been revealed to you from your Lord.' This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 6:106ٱتَّبِعْ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

«Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord, there is no God but Him.» (6:106) 'Wait until Allāh fulfills that which He has promised you, and grants you victory over those who oppose you, for He never breaks His promise.'

Qur’an 32:30إِنَّهُم مُّنتَظِرُونَ

«verily, they (too) are awaiting.» means, 'you are waiting, and they are waiting and plotting against you,'

Qur’an 52:30أَمْ يَقُولُونَ شَاعِرٌ نَّتَرَبَّصُ بِهِۦ رَيْبَ ٱلْمَنُونِ

«Or do they say: "A poet! We await for him some calamity by time!"» (52:30). 'You will see the consequences of your patience towards them, and the fulfillment of the promise of your Lord in your victory over them, and they will see the consequences of their wait for something bad to befall you and your Companions, in that Allāh's punishment will come upon them.' Sufficient unto us is Allāh, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs. This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat As-Sajdah.