The Tafsīr of Sūrat Az-Zumar (Chapter - 39)

Which was revealed in Makkah

The Virtues of Sūrat Az-Zumar An-Nasā'ī recorded that 'Ā'ishah, may Allāh be pleased with her, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to fast until we would say, 'He does not want to break fast,' and he would not fast until we would say, 'He does not want to fast.' And he ﷺ used to recite Bani Isrā'īl [Al-Isrā'] and Az-Zumar every night."^{1Aḥmad no. 25664, An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 6:444.}

Qur’anبِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 39:1–4تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَٱعْبُدِ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْخَالِصُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِى مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ كَٰذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ لَّوْ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا لَّٱصْطَفَىٰ مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّارُ

«1. The revelation of this Book is from Allāh, the Almighty, the All-Wise.» «2. Verily, We have sent down the Book to you in truth. So, worship Allāh by doing religious deeds sincerely for Him only.» «3. Surely, the religion is for Allāh only. And those who take protectors besides Him (say): "We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allāh." Verily, Allāh will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allāh guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever.» «4. Had Allāh willed to take a son, He could have chosen whom He willed out of those whom He created. But glory be to Him! He is Allāh, the One, the Irresistible.»

The Order for Tawḥīd and the Refutation of Shirk Allāh tells us that the revelation of this Book, which is the magnificent Qur'ān, is from Him, and is truth in which there is no doubt whatsoever. This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 26:192–195وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنذِرِينَ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ مُّبِينٍ

«And truly, this is a revelation from the Lord of the creatures, which the trustworthy Rūḥ (Jibrīl) has brought down upon your heart that you may be (one) of the warners, in the plain Arabic language.» (26:192-195)

Qur’an 41:41–42وَإِنَّهُۥ لَكِتَٰبٌ عَزِيزٌ لَّا يَأْتِيهِ ٱلْبَٰطِلُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ تَنزِيلٌ مِّنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ

«And verily, it is a mighty Book. Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it, (it is) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.» (40: 41,42) And Allāh says here:

Qur’anتَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ

«The revelation of this Book is from Allāh, the Almighty,» meaning, the Almighty, All-Powerful.

Qur’anٱلْحَكِيمِ

«the All-Wise.» meaning, in all that He says, does, legislates and decrees.

Qur’an 39:2إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَٱعْبُدِ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ

«Verily, We have sent down the Book to you in truth. So, worship Allāh by doing religious deeds sincerely for Him only.» means, so worship Allāh Alone with no partner or associate, and call mankind to that, and teach them that it is not right to worship anyone or anything except Him Alone, and He has no partner, equal or rival. Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:3أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْخَالِصُ

«Surely, the religion is for Allāh only.» meaning, He will not accept any deed unless it is done purely and sincerely for Him Alone, with no partner or associate. Then Allāh tells us that the idolators say:

Qur’an 39:3مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰٓ

«We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allāh.» meaning what motivates them to worship them is the fact that they made their idols in the image of the angels - or so they claim - and when they worship those images it is like worshipping the angels, so that they will intercede with Allāh for them to help and give them provision and other worldly needs. As far as the resurrection is concerned, they denied it and did not believe in it. Qatādah, As-Suddi and Mālik said, narrating from Zayd bin Aslam and Ibn Zayd:

Qur’an 39:3إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰٓ

«only that they may bring us near to Allāh.» means, "So that they may intercede for us and bring us closer to Him."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:251, 252.} During Jāhiliyyah, they used to recite the following for their Talbiyah when they performed Ḥajj; "At Your service, You have no partner except the partner You have; he and all that he owns belong to You." This pretentious argument which the idolators of all times, ancient and modern, used as evidence is what the Messengers, may the blessings and peace of Allāh be upon them all, came to refute and forbid, and to call people to worship Allāh Alone with no partner or associate. This is something that the idolators themselves invented; Allāh did not give them permission for it, nor does He approve of it; indeed, He hates it and forbids it.

Qur’an 16:36وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ

«And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allāh, and avoid Ṭāghūt."» (16:36)

Qur’an 21:25وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدُونِ

«And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "None has the right to be worshipped but I (Allāh), so worship Me."» (21:25) And Allāh tells us that the angels in the heavens, those who are close to Him and others, are all servants who submit humbly to Allāh. They do not intercede with Him except by His leave for the one with whom He is pleased. They are not like the princes and ministers of their (the idolators') kings who intercede with them without their permission for both those whom the kings like and those whom they hate.

Qur’an 16:74فَلَا تَضْرِبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ

«So put not forward similitudes for Allāh» (16:74). Exalted be Allāh far above that.

Qur’an 39:3إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ

«Verily, Allāh will judge between them» means, on the Day of Resurrection,

Qur’an 39:3فِى مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ

«concerning that wherein they differ.» means, He will judge between His creation on the Day of Resurrection and will reward or punish each person according to his deeds.

Qur’an 34:40–41وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ أَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِيَّاكُمْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْبُدُونَ قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَٰنَكَ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِن دُونِهِم بَلْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْبُدُونَ ٱلْجِنَّ أَكْثَرُهُم بِهِم مُّؤْمِنُونَ

«And (remember) the Day when He will gather them all together, then He will say to the angels: "Was it you that these people used to worship?" They (the angels) will say: "Glorified be You! You are our Walī (Lord) instead of them. Nay, but they used to worship the Jinn; most of them were believers in them."» (34:40-41)

Qur’an 39:3إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ كَٰذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ

«Truly, Allāh guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever.» means, He will not show true guidance to one who deliberately tells lies about Allāh and whose heart rejects the signs and proof of Allāh. Then Allāh states that He does not have any offspring, as the ignorant idolators claim the angels to be, and

Qur’an 39:6–10خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ ثَمَٰنِيَةَ أَزْوَٰجٍ يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّنۢ بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِى ظُلُمَٰتٍ ثَلَٰثٍ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصْرَفُونَ إِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنكُمْ وَلَا يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ ٱلْكُفْرَ وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا۟ يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّهُۥ مُنِيبًا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلَهُۥ نِعْمَةً مِّنْهُ نَسِىَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ مِن قَبْلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ قُلْ تَمَتَّعْ بِكُفْرِكَ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَآئِمًا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ قُلْ يَٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ وَأَرْضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٰسِعَةٌ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

as the stubborn Jews and Christians claim 'Uzayr and 'Īsā to be. Allāh, may He be blessed and exalted, says:

Qur’an 39:4لَّوْ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا لَّٱصْطَفَىٰ مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ

«Had Allāh willed to take a son (or offspring), He could have chosen whom He willed out of those whom He created.»

meaning, the matter would not have been as they claim. This is a conditional sentence which does not imply that this happened or that it is permitted; indeed, it is impossible. The aim is only to point out the ignorance of their claims. It is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 21:17لَوْ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نَّتَّخِذَ لَهْوًا لَّٱتَّخَذْنَٰهُ مِن لَّدُنَّآ إِن كُنَّا فَٰعِلِينَ

«Had We intended to take a pastime, We could surely have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that).» (21:17)

Qur’an 43:81قُلْ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَلَدٌ فَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْعَٰبِدِينَ

«Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of worshippers."» (43:81)^{2It is necessary to see the explanation of this Āyah to understand its meaning.} All of these Āyāt are conditional, and it is permissible to form a conditional sentence referring to something that is impossible if it serves the purposes of the speaker.

Qur’an 39:4سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّارُ

«But glory be to Him! He is Allāh, the One, the Irresistible.» means, exalted and sanctified be He above the idea that He could have any offspring, for He is the One, the Only, the Unique, the Self-Sufficient Master to Whom everything is enslaved and is in need of. He is the One Who is independent of all else, Who has subjugated all things and they submit humbly to Him. Blessed and exalted be He far above what the wrongdoers and deniers say.

Qur’an 39:5–6خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ يُكَوِّرُ ٱلَّيْلَ عَلَى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ ٱلنَّهَارَ عَلَى ٱلَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى أَلَا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفَّٰرُ خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ ثَمَٰنِيَةَ أَزْوَٰجٍ يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّنۢ بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِى ظُلُمَٰتٍ ثَلَٰثٍ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصْرَفُونَ

«5. He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running for an appointed term. Verily, He is the Almighty, the Oft-Forgiving.» «6. He created you (all) from a single person; then made from him his wife. And He has sent down for you of An'ām eight pairs. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation in three veils of darkness. Such is Allāh your Lord. His is the kingdom. Lā ilāha illā Huwa. How then are you turned away?»

Evidence of the Power and Oneness of Allāh Allāh tells us that He is the Creator of what is in the heavens and on earth, and what is between them. He is the Sovereign and Controller alternating the night and day.

Qur’an 39:5يُكَوِّرُ ٱلَّيْلَ عَلَى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ ٱلنَّهَارَ عَلَى ٱلَّيْلِ

«He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night.» means, He has subjugated them and He causes them to alternate without ceasing, each seeking the other rapidly, as He says:

Qur’an 7:54يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُۥ حَثِيثًا

«He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly» (7:54).

This is the meaning of that which was narrated from Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, Mujāhid, Qatādah, As-Suddi and others.^{1Al-Qurṭubi 15:235.}

Qur’an 39:5وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى

«And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running for an appointed term.»

means, for a period of time that is known to Allāh, then it will come to an end on the Day of Resurrection.

Qur’an 39:5أَلَا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفَّٰرُ

«Verily, He is the Almighty, the Oft-Forgiving.»

means, beside His might, greatness and pride, He is Oft-Forgiving to those who disobey Him but then turn to Him in repentance.

Qur’an 39:6خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ

«He created you (all) from a single person;»,

means, He created you, with all your varied races, types, languages and colors, from a single soul, who was Ādam, peace be upon him.

Qur’an 39:6ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا

«then made from him his wife.» who was Ḥawwā', peace be upon her. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 4:1يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَآءً

«O mankind! Have Taqwā of your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women» (4:1).

Qur’an 39:6وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ ثَمَٰنِيَةَ أَزْوَٰجٍ

«And He has sent down for you of cattle eight pairs.» means, He has created for you from among the cattles,^{2Although the word An'ām is usually translated as cattle the meaning is broader and includes all kinds of similar grazing livestock such as sheep, goats and camels. See volume three, the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-An'ām [6:142].} eight pairs. These are the ones that are mentioned in Sūrat Al-An'am, eight kinds – a pair of sheep, a pair of goats, a pair of camels and a pair of oxen.

Qur’an 39:6يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمْ

«He creates you in the wombs of your mothers,» means, He forms you in your mothers' wombs.

Qur’an 39:6خَلْقًا مِّنۢ بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ

«creation after creation». Everyone of you is originally a Nutfah, then he becomes an 'Alaqah, then he becomes a Mudghah,^{3For an understanding of these terms, see volume seven, the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Mu'minūn [23:12-14].} then he is created and becomes flesh and bones and nerves and veins, and the Rūḥ (soul) is breathed into him, and he becomes another type of creation.

Qur’an 23:14فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ ٱلْخَٰلِقِينَ

«So Blessed is Allāh, the Best of creators» (23:14).

Qur’an 39:6فِى ظُلُمَٰتٍ ثَلَٰثٍ

«in three veils of darkness» means, in the darkness of the womb, the darkness of the placenta which blankets and protects the child, and the darkness of the belly. This was the view of Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, Mujāhid, 'Ikrimah, Abu Mālik, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Qatādah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :258, 259. Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 7 :236.}

Qur’anذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ

«Such is Allāh your Lord.» means, the One Who created the heavens and the earth and everything in between, and created you and your forefathers, is the Lord. To Him belong sovereignty and control over all of that.

Qur’anلَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

«Lā ilāha illā Huwa.» means, no one else should be worshipped except Him alone with no partner or associate.

Qur’an 39:6فَأَنَّىٰ تُصْرَفُونَ

«How then are you turned away?» means, how can you worship anything besides Him? What has happened to your minds?

Qur’an 39:7–8إِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنكُمْ وَلَا يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ ٱلْكُفْرَ وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا۟ يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّهُۥ مُنِيبًا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلَهُۥ نِعْمَةً مِّنْهُ نَسِىَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ مِن قَبْلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ قُلْ تَمَتَّعْ بِكُفْرِكَ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ

«7. If you disbelieve, then verily, Allāh is not in need of you; He likes not disbelief for His servants. And if you are grateful, He is pleased therewith for you. No bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you what you used to do. Verily, He is the All-Knower of that which is in breasts.» «8. And when some hurt touches man, he cries to his Lord, turning to Him in repentance. But when He bestows a favor upon him from Himself, he forgets that for which he cried for before, and he sets up rivals to Allāh, in order to mislead others from His path. Say: "Take pleasure in your disbelief for a while, surely, you are (one) of the dwellers of the Fire!"»

Allāh hates Disbelief and is pleased with Gratitude Allāh tells us that He is Independent and has no need of anything in creation. This is like the Āyah in which Mūsā, peace be upon him, says:

Qur’an 14:8إِن تَكْفُرُوٓا۟ أَنتُمْ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ

«"If you disbelieve, you and all on earth together, then verily, Allāh is Rich, Owner of all praise."» (14:8). In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, it says:

Ḥadīthيَا عِبَادِي لَوْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَكُمْ وَآخِرَكُمْ وَإِنْسَكُمْ وَجِنَّكُمْ كَانُوا عَلَىٰ أَفْجَرِ قَلْبِ رَجُلٍ مِنْكُمْ، مَا نَقَصَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ مُلْكِي شَيْئًا

«"O My servants, if the first and the last of you, men and Jinn alike, were all to be as evil as the most evil man among you, that would not diminish from My sovereignty in the least."»^{1Muslim 4:1994.}

Qur’an 39:7وَلَا يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ ٱلْكُفْرَ

«He likes not disbelief for His servants.» means, He does not like it and He does not enjoin it.

Qur’an 39:7وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا۟ يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ

«And if you are grateful, He is pleased therewith for you.» means: He likes this for you and He will increase His favor upon you.

Qur’an 39:7وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ

«No bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another.» means, no person can bear anything for another; each person will be asked about his own affairs.

Qur’an 39:7ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ

«Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you what you used to do. Verily, He is the All-Knower of that which is in breasts.»

means, nothing whatsoever is hidden from Him.

It is an aspect of Man's Disbelief that He remembers Allāh at times of difficulty then associates others with Him after He has been relieved of His Distress

Qur’an 39:8وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّهُۥ مُنِيبًا إِلَيْهِ

«And when some hurt touches man, he cries to his Lord, turning to Him in repentance.»

means, at times of need, he prays to Allāh and seeks His help alone, not associating anything with Him. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 17:67وَإِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدْعُونَ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْبَرِّ أَعْرَضْتُمْ وَكَانَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ كَفُورًا

«And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon vanish from you except Him. But when He brings you safe to land, you turn away. And man is ever ungrateful.» (17:67). Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:8ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلَهُۥ نِعْمَةً مِّنْهُ نَسِىَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ مِن قَبْلُ

«But when He bestows a favor upon him from Himself, he forgets that for which he cried for before,» means, at the time of ease, he forgets that supplication and prayer. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 10:12وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ ٱلضُّرُّ دَعَانَا لِجَنۢبِهِۦٓ أَوْ قَاعِدًا أَوْ قَآئِمًا فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُ ضُرَّهُۥ مَرَّ كَأَن لَّمْ يَدْعُنَآ إِلَىٰ ضُرٍّ مَّسَّهُۥ

«And when harm touches man, he invokes Us, lying on his side, or sitting or standing. But when We have removed his harm from him, he passes on as if he had never invoked Us for a harm that touched him!» (10:12).

Qur’an 39:8وَجَعَلَ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ

«and he sets up rivals to Allāh, in order to mislead others from His path.» means, at times of ease, he associates others in worship with Allāh and sets up rivals to Him.

Qur’an 39:8قُلْ تَمَتَّعْ بِكُفْرِكَ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ

«Say: "Take pleasure in your disbelief for a while, surely, you are (one) of the dwellers of the Fire!"» means, say to those whose way this is, 'enjoy your disbelief for a while!' This is a stern threat and solemn warning, as in the Āyāt:

Qur’an 14:30قُلْ تَمَتَّعُوا۟ فَإِنَّ مَصِيرَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ

«Say: "Enjoy! But certainly, your destination is the Fire!"» (14:30).

Qur’an 31:24نُمَتِّعُهُمْ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ نَضْطَرُّهُمْ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ

«We let them enjoy for a little while, then in the end We shall oblige them to (enter) a great torment.» (31:24)

Qur’an 39:9أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَآئِمًا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

«9. Is one who is obedient to Allāh, Anā'a Al-Layl prostrating and standing fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember.»

The Obedient and the Sinner are not equal

Allāh says, 'is the one who is like this equal to one who associates others in worship with Allāh and sets up rivals to Him?' They are not equal before Allāh, as He says:

Qur’an 3:113لَيْسُوا۟ سَوَآءً مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ أُمَّةٌ قَآئِمَةٌ يَتْلُونَ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَهُمْ يَسْجُدُونَ

«Not all of them are alike; a party of the People of the Scripture stand for the right, they recite the Āyāt of Allāh Anā'a Al-Layl, prostrating themselves (in prayer).» (3:113). And Allāh says here:

Qur’an 39:9أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَآئِمًا

«Is one who is obedient to Allāh, Anā'a Al-Layl prostrating and standing» meaning, one who is humble and fears Allāh when he prostrates and stands (in prayer). It was reported that Ibn Mas'ūd, may Allāh be pleased with him, said: "The obedient one is one who obeys Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ."^{1Al-Qurṭubi 15:239.} Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, Al-Ḥasan, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said, Anā'a Al-Layl means in the depths of the night.^{2Al-Qurṭubi 15:239.}

Qur’an 39:9يَحْذَرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ

«fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord.» means, in his worship he feels both fear and hope. Both are essential in worship, and fear should be stronger during one's lifetime. Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:9يَحْذَرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ

«fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord.» At the time of death, hope is uppermost, as Imām 'Abd bin Ḥumayd recorded in his Musnad from Anas, may Allāh be pleased with him, who said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ entered upon a man who was dying, and said to him,

«كَيْفَ تَجِدُكَ؟»

«How do you feel?» He said, 'I am both afraid and hopeful.' The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthلَا يَجْتَمِعَانِ فِي قَلْبِ عَبْدٍ فِي مِثْلِ هَذَا الْمَوْطِنِ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الَّذِي يَرْجُو، وَأَمَّنَهُ الَّذِي يَخَافُهُ

«These do not co-exist in a person's heart at times such as this, but Allāh will give him what he hopes for and protect him from that which he fears.»"^{3'Abd bin Ḥumayd; 404.}

This was recorded by At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasā'ī in Al-Yawm wal-Laylah, and Ibn Mājah from the Ḥadīth of Yasār bin Ḥātim from Ja'far bin Sulaymān. At-Tirmidhi said, "Gharīb."^{4Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 7:57, An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 6:262, Ibn Mājah 2:1423.} Imām Aḥmad recorded that Tamīm Ad-Dāri, may Allāh be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthمَنْ قَرَأَ بِمِائَةِ آيَةٍ فِي لَيْلَةٍ كُتِبَ لَهُ قُنُوتُ لَيْلَةٍ

«Whoever recites one hundred Āyāt in one night, it will be recorded as if he prayed all night.»

This was also recorded by An-Nasā'ī in Al-Yawm wal-Laylah.^{5Aḥmad 4:103.}

Qur’an 39:11–21قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ قُلِ ٱللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُۥ دِينِى فَٱعْبُدُوا۟ مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَانُ ٱلْمُبِينُ لَهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ ذَٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ عِبَادَهُۥ يَٰعِبَادِ فَٱتَّقُونِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱجْتَنَبُوا۟ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ أَن يَعْبُدُوهَا وَأَنَابُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ لَهُمُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ أَفَمَنْ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ أَفَأَنتَ تُنقِذُ مَن فِى ٱلنَّارِ لَٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَلَكَهُۥ يَنَٰبِيعَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرْعًا مُّخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُۥ حُطَٰمًا إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

Qur’an 39:9قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

«Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?"» means, is this one equal with the one who sets up rivals to Allāh to mislead (men) from His path?

Qur’anإِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

«It is only men of understanding who will remember.» means, the only one who will understand the difference between them is the one who has understanding. And Allāh knows best.

Qur’an 39:10–12قُلْ يَٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ وَأَرْضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٰسِعَةٌ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

«10. Say: "O My servants who believe, have Taqwā of your Lord. Good is for those who do good in this world, and Allāh's earth is spacious! Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning."» «11. Say: "Verily, I am commanded to worship Allāh, making religion sincerely for Him."» «12. "And I am commanded (this) in order that I may be the first of the Muslims."» The Command for Taqwā, Emigration and to worship Him alone with all Sincerity

Allāh commands His believing servants to remain steadfast in their obedience and have Taqwā of Him.

Qur’an 39:10قُلْ يَٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ

«Say: "O My servants who believe, have Taqwā of your Lord. Good is for those who do good in this world..."»

means, the one who does good deeds in this world, will have a good (reward) in this world and in the Hereafter.

Qur’an 39:10وَأَرْضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٰسِعَةٌ

«and Allāh's earth is spacious!» Mujāhid said, "So emigrate through it and strive hard and keep away from idols."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :269.}

Qur’an 39:10إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

«Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.»

Al-'Awzā'i said, "Their reward will not be weighed or measured; they will be given an immense reward." As-Suddi said:

Qur’an 39:10إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

«Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.»

means, "In Paradise."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :270.}

Qur’an 39:11قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ

«Say: "Verily, I am commanded to worship Allāh, making religion sincerely for Him..."»

means, 'I am commanded to worship Allāh alone in all sincerity, with no partner or associate.'

Qur’an 39:12وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

«And I am commanded (this) in order that I may be the first of the Muslims.»

Qur’an 39:13–16قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ قُلِ ٱللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُۥ دِينِى فَٱعْبُدُوا۟ مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَانُ ٱلْمُبِينُ لَهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ ذَٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ عِبَادَهُۥ يَٰعِبَادِ فَٱتَّقُونِ

«13. Say: "Verily, if I disobey my Lord, I am afraid of the torment of a great Day."» «14. Say: "Allāh Alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only."» «15. "So, worship what you like besides Him." Say: "The losers are those who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Verily, that will be a manifest loss!"» «16. They shall have coverings of Fire, above them and covering (of Fire) beneath them. With this Allāh frightens His servants: "O My servants, therefore have Taqwā of Me!"»

Creating Fear of the Punishment of Allāh

Allāh 'says, say O Muḥammad, even though you are the Messenger of Allāh:'

Qur’an 39:13إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

«Verily, if I disobey my Lord, I am afraid of the torment of a great Day.» meaning the Day of Resurrection. This is a conditional sentence, and if what is referred to here applies to the Prophet ﷺ, it applies even more so to others,

Qur’an 39:14–15قُلِ ٱللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُۥ دِينِى فَٱعْبُدُوا۟ مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ

«Say: "Allāh Alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only. So, worship what you like besides Him."» This is also a threat, and a disowning of them.

Qur’an 39:15قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ

«Say: "The losers..."» means, the greatest losers of all,

Qur’an 39:15ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ

«are those who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection.» means, they will be separated and will never meet again, whether their families have gone to Paradise and they have gone to Hell, or all of them have gone to Hell, they will never meet or feel happiness again.

Qur’an 39:15أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَانُ ٱلْمُبِينُ

«Verily, that will be a manifest loss!» means, this is the clearest and most obvious loss. Then He describes their state in the Fire:

Qur’an 39:16لَهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ

«They shall have coverings of Fire, above them and covering (of Fire) beneath them.» This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 7:41لَهُم مِّن جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٌ وَمِن فَوْقِهِمْ غَوَاشٍ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

«Theirs will be a bed of Hell (Fire), and over them coverings (of Hell-fire). Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers» (7:41)

Qur’an 29:55يَوْمَ يَغْشَىٰهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِمْ وَيَقُولُ ذُوقُوا۟ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

«On the Day when the torment (Hell-fire) shall cover them from above them and from underneath their feet, and it will be said: "Taste what you used to do."» (29:55)

Qur’an 39:16ذَٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ عِبَادَهُۥ

«With this Allāh frightens His servants:» means, Allāh tells us about this, which will undoubtedly come to pass, to frighten His servants, so that they will keep away from unlawful things and from sin.

Qur’an 39:16يَٰعِبَادِ فَٱتَّقُونِ

«O My servants, therefore have Taqwā of Me!» means, 'fear My wrath, My anger, My punishment and My vengeance.'

Qur’an 39:17–18وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱجْتَنَبُوا۟ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ أَن يَعْبُدُوهَا وَأَنَابُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ لَهُمُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

«17. Those who avoid Aṭ-Ṭāghūt by not worshipping them and turn to Allāh, for them are glad tidings; so announce the good news to My servants.» «18. Those who listen to the Word and follow the best thereof, those are (the ones) whom Allāh has guided and those are men of understanding.»

Good News for the Righteous

'Abdur-Raḥmān bin Zayd bin Aslam said, narrating from his father:

Qur’an 39:17وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱجْتَنَبُوا۟ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ أَن يَعْبُدُوهَا

«Those who avoid Aṭ-Ṭāghūt by not worshipping them» was revealed concerning Zayd bin 'Amr bin Nufayl and Abu Dharr and Salmān Al-Fārisi, may Allāh be pleased with them.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :274.} The correct view is that it includes them and all others who avoided worshipping idols and turned to the worship of Ar-Raḥmān. These are the people for whom there is good news in this world and in the Hereafter. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:17–18فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ

«so announce the good news to My servants - those who listen to the Word and follow the best thereof,» meaning, those who understand it and act in accordance with it. This is like the Words of Allāh, may He be exalted, to Mūsā, peace be upon him, when He gave him the Tawrāh:

Qur’an 7:145فَخُذْهَا بِقُوَّةٍ وَأْمُرْ قَوْمَكَ يَأْخُذُوا۟ بِأَحْسَنِهَا

«Hold unto these with firmness, and enjoin your people to take the better therein» (7:145).

Qur’an 39:18أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ

«those are whom Allāh has guided» means, those who are described in this manner are the ones whom Allāh has guided in this world and the Hereafter.

Qur’an 39:18وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

«and those are men of understanding.» means, they possess sound reasoning and an upright nature.

Qur’an 39:19–20أَفَمَنْ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ أَفَأَنتَ تُنقِذُ مَن فِى ٱلنَّارِ لَٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ

«19. Is, then one against whom the Word of punishment is justified (equal to the one who avoids evil)? Will you rescue him who is in the Fire?»

«20. But those who have Taqwā of their Lord, for them are built lofty rooms, one above another under which rivers flow. (This is) the promise of Allāh, and Allāh does not fail in (His) promise.»

Allāh says, 'if He has decreed that someone is to be doomed, can you save him from his misguidance and doom?' Which means, no one can guide him apart from Allāh, because whomever Allāh leaves astray cannot be guided, and whomever He guides cannot be led astray. Then Allāh tells us that His blessed servants will have lofty rooms in Paradise.

Qur’an 39:20مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ

«are built lofty rooms, one above another», story upon story, solidly-constructed, adorned and high. 'Abdullāh bin Al-Imām Aḥmad recorded that 'Ali, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ لَغُرَفًا يُرَى بُطُونُهَا مِنْ ظُهُورِهَا، وَظُهُورُهَا مِنْ بُطُونِهَا

«In Paradise there are rooms whose inside can be seen from the outside, and the outside can be seen from the inside.»

A bedouin asked, 'Who are they for, O Messenger of Allāh?' He ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthلِمَنْ أَطَابَ الْكَلَامَ، وَأَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ، وَصَلَّى بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ

«For those who speak kindly, feed the hungry and stand in prayer at night whilst the people are sleeping.»"^{1Aḥmad 1:155.}

This was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, who said, "Ḥasan Gharīb".^{2Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 7:231.} Imām Aḥmad recorded from Sahl bin Sa'd, may Allāh be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ لَيَتَرَاءَوْنَ فِي الْغُرْفَةِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، كَمَا تَرَاءَوْنَ الْكَوْكَبَ فِي أُفُقِ السَّمَاءِ

«The people of Paradise will look towards each other in raised places of Paradise as you look towards the stars on the horizons of the sky.»

He said, "I told An-Nu'mān bin Abi 'Ayyāsh about that, and he said, 'I heard Abu Sa'īd Al-Khudri, may Allāh be pleased with him, narrate it:

Ḥadīthكَمَا تَرَاءَوْنَ الْكَوْكَبَ الَّذِي فِي الْأُفُقِ الشَّرْقِيِّ أَوِ الْغَرْبِيِّ

«As you see the stars on the horizon of the east or the west.»'"^{3Aḥmad 5:340.} It was also recorded in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs.^{4Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:424, Muslim 4:2177.}

Imām Aḥmad said, "Fazārah narrated to us; Fulayḥ narrated to us; from Hilāl bin 'Ali, from 'Aṭā' bin Yasār, from Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ لَيَتَرَاءَوْنَ فِي الْجَنَّةِ أَهْلَ الْغُرَفِ، كَمَا تَرَاءَوْنَ الْكَوْكَبَ الدُّرِّيَّ الْغَارِبَ فِي الْأُفُقِ الطَّالِعِ، فِي تَفَاضُلِ أَهْلِ الدَّرَجَاتِ

«The people of Paradise will look towards each other in the raised places of Paradise as you look at the high, bright stars which remain on the horizon. Such will be the difference in superiority which some of them have over others.»

They said, "O Messenger of Allāh, are those the abodes of the Prophets?" He ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthبَلَى، وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، وَأَقْوَامٌ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَصَدَّقُوا الرُّسُلَ

«No, by the One in Whose Hand is my soul, they are the abodes of people who believed in Allāh and in the Messengers.»^{5Aḥmad 2:339.}

It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, who said, "Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ."^{6Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 7:272.}

Qur’an 39:22–31أَفَمَن شَرَحَ ٱللَّهُ صَدْرَهُۥ لِلْإِسْلَٰمِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَٰسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ ٱللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ كِتَٰبًا مُّتَشَٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ يَهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ أَفَمَن يَتَّقِى بِوَجْهِهِۦ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَقِيلَ لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ ذُوقُوا۟ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ فَأَذَاقَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخِزْىَ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيْرَ ذِى عِوَجٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلًا فِيهِ شُرَكَآءُ مُتَشَٰكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِّرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَّيِّتُونَ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ

Qur’anتَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ

«under which rivers flow.» means, the rivers flow wherever the people want them to flow.

Qur’anوَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ

«(This is) the promise of Allāh,» means, 'all that We have mentioned here is what Allāh has promised to His believing servants.'

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ «and Allāh does not fail in (His) promise.»

Qur’an 39:21–22أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَلَكَهُۥ يَنَٰبِيعَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرْعًا مُّخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُۥ حُطَٰمًا إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ أَفَمَن شَرَحَ ٱللَّهُ صَدْرَهُۥ لِلْإِسْلَٰمِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَٰسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ

«21. See you not that Allāh sends down water from the sky, and causes it to penetrate the earth, as water springs, and afterward thereby produces crops of different colors, and afterward they wither and you see them turn yellow; then He makes them dry and broken pieces. Verily, in this is a reminder for men of understanding.»

«22. Is he whose breast Allāh has opened to Islām, so that he is in light from his Lord? So, woe to those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allāh! They are in plain error!»

The Parable of the Life of this World Allāh tells us that water originates in the sky. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 25:48وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً طَهُورًا

«and We send down pure water from the sky» (25:48). So, Allāh sends down water from the sky, and it settles in the earth, then He causes it to flow wherever He wills, and He causes springs, great and small, to flow as needed. Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:21فَسَلَكَهُۥ يَنَٰبِيعَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ

«and causes it to penetrate the earth, as water springs,» Sa'īd bin Jubayr and 'Āmir Ash-Sha'bi said that all the water on earth has its origins in the sky.^{1Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 7 :219.} Sa'īd bin Jubayr said, its origins lie in the snow, meaning that snow piles up in the mountains, then settles at the bottom (of the mountains) and springs flow from the bottom of them.

Qur’an 39:21ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرْعًا مُّخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ

«and afterward thereby produces crops of different colors» means, then from the water which comes down from the sky or flows from springs in the earth, He brings forth crops of different colors, i.e., different kinds of forms, tastes, scents, bencfits, etc.

Qur’an 39:21ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ

«and afterward they wither» means, after they have been ripe and fresh, they become old and you see them turn yellow when they have dried out.

Qur’an 39:21ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُۥ حُطَٰمًا

«then He makes them dry and broken pieces.» means, then they become brittle.

Qur’an 39:21إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

«Verily, in this is a reminder for men of understanding.» means, those who are reminded by this and who learn the lesson from it, that this world is like this - it is green and fresh and beautiful, then it will become old and ugly. The young man will become a weak, senile old man, and after all of that comes death. The blessed one is the one whose state after death will be good. Allāh often likens the life of this world to the way He sends down water from the sky and crops and fruits grow thereby, then they become dry and brittle. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 18:45وَٱضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخْتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلْأَرْضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًا تَذْرُوهُ ٱلرِّيَٰحُ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقْتَدِرًا

«And put forward to them the example of the life of this world: it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allāh is able to do everything» (18:45)

The People of Truth and the People of Misguidance are not Equal

Qur’an 39:22أَفَمَن شَرَحَ ٱللَّهُ صَدْرَهُۥ لِلْإِسْلَٰمِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ

«Is he whose breast Allāh has opened to Islām, so that he is in light from his Lord?» means, is this person equal to the one who is hard-hearted and far from the truth? This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 6:122أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَٰهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُۥ نُورًا يَمْشِى بِهِۦ فِى ٱلنَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُۥ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِّنْهَا

«Is he who was dead and We gave him life and set for him a light (i.e. Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men - like him who is in the darkness (i.e., disbelief) from which he can never come out?» (6:122) Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:22فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَٰسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ

«So, woe to those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allāh!»

meaning, they do not become soft when Allāh is mentioned, and they do not feel humility or fear, and they do not understand.

Qur’an 39:22أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ

«They are in plain error!».

Qur’an 39:23ٱللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ كِتَٰبًا مُّتَشَٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ يَهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ

«23. Allāh has sent down the Best Statement, a Book, its parts resembling each other, (and) oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it. Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allāh. That is the guidance of Allāh. He guides therewith whom He wills; and whomever Allāh sends astray, for him there is no guide.»

The Description of the Qur'ān

Here Allāh praises His Book, the Noble Qur'ān, which was revealed to His noble Messenger ﷺ. Allāh says,

Qur’an 39:23ٱللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ كِتَٰبًا مُّتَشَٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ

«Allāh has sent down the Best Statement, a Book, its parts resembling each other (and) oft-repeated.»

Mujāhid said, "This means that the entire Qur'ān's parts resemble each other and are oft-repeated."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:279.} Qatādah said, "One Āyah resembles another and one letter resembles another."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:279.} Ad-Ḍaḥḥāk said, "It is oft-repeated so that people will understand what their Lord tells them." 'Ikrimah and Al-Ḥasan said, "There may be an Āyah in one Sūrah, and another Āyah in another Sūrah that resembles it." Sa'īd bin Jubayr narrated from Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him: "Oft-repeated means that parts of the Qur'ān resemble one another and repeat one another."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :279.} Some of the scholars said that it was narrated from Sufyān bin 'Uyaynah that

Qur’an 39:23مُّتَشَٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ

«its parts resembling each other (and) oft-repeated.» means that some passages of the Qur'ān may sometimes refer to one thing, so they resemble one another, and sometimes they mention a thing and its opposite. Such as when the believers then the disbelievers are mentioned, or when Paradise then Hell are described, and so on, and this is the meaning of oft-repeated. Examples include the Āyāt:

Qur’an 82:13–14إِنَّ ٱلْأَبْرَارَ لَفِى نَعِيمٍ وَإِنَّ ٱلْفُجَّارَ لَفِى جَحِيمٍ

«Verily, the most righteous will be in delight; and verily, the most wicked will be in the blazing Fire (Hell).» (82:13-14)

Qur’an 83:7كَلَّآ إِنَّ كِتَٰبَ ٱلْفُجَّارِ لَفِى سِجِّينٍ

«Nay! Truly, the Record of the most wicked is (preserved) in Sijjīn»^{4See the following note.} until

Qur’an 83:18كَلَّآ إِنَّ كِتَٰبَ ٱلْأَبْرَارِ لَفِى عِلِّيِّينَ

«Nay! Verily, the Record of the most righteous is (preserved) in 'Illiyyīn»^{5See the explanation of Sūrat Al-Muṭaffifīn [83:7-18].} (83: 7-18)

Qur’an 38:49هَٰذَا ذِكْرٌ وَإِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ لَحُسْنَ مَـَٔابٍ

«This is a Reminder. And verily, for those who have Taqwā is a good final return (Paradise)» until;

Qur’an 38:55هَٰذَا وَإِنَّ لِلطَّٰغِينَ لَشَرَّ مَـَٔابٍ

«This is so! And for those who transgress, there will be an evil final return (Fire).» (38:49-55). And there are other similar passages. All of this has to do with it being oft-repeated, i.e., when two meanings are referred to. But when a passage is about one thing, with some parts of it resembling others, this is "its parts resembling each other." This is not the same as the Mutashābihāt mentioned in the Āyah:

Qur’an 3:7مِنْهُ ءَايَٰتٌ مُّحْكَمَٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَٰبِهَٰتٌ

«In it are Āyāt that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book; and others not entirely clear» (3:7). that refers to something else altogether.

Qur’an 39:23تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ

«The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it. Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allāh.» means, this is the description of the righteous, when they hear the Words of the Compeller, the Protector, the Almighty, the Oft-Forgiving, because they understand the promises and warnings contained therein. The frightening words and threats make their skin shiver from fear.

Qur’an 39:23ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ

«Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allāh.» because of their hope for His mercy and kindness. They are unlike others, the wicked, immoral sinners, in a number of ways:

First They listen to the recitation of the Āyāt [of the Qur'ān], while those (sinners) listen to poetic verse recited by female singers.

Second When the Āyāt of Ar-Raḥmān are recited to them, they fall down in prostration weeping, with the proper attitude of fear, hope, love, understanding and knowledge, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 8:2–4إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَٰنًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا لَّهُمْ دَرَجَٰتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ

«The believers are only those who, when Allāh is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Āyāt are recited unto them, they increase their faith; and they put their trust in their Lord; Who perform the Ṣalāh and spend out of that We have provided them. It is they who are the believers in it. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness and a generous provision (i.e., Paradise).» (8:2-4),

Qur’an 25:73وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا۟ عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا

«And those who, when they are reminded of the Āyāt of their Lord, fall not on them (as if they were) deaf and blind» (25:73).

When they hear the Āyāt of Allāh, they are not too busy to pay attention to them; they listen to them and understand their meanings. So they act upon them and prostrate when they hear them, out of understanding, not out of ignorance and blind following of others.

Third

They adhere to the correct etiquette when they listen to them. As the Companions, may Allāh be pleased with them, used to do when they listened to the words of Allāh recited by the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. Their skin Would shiver, and their hearts would soften to the remembrance of Allāh. They did not shout or do other actions that are not natural; on the contrary, they would sit quietly with the proper attitude of fear, in an unparalleled fashion. they attained the victory of praise from their Lord in this world and the Hereafter. 'Abdur-Razzāq said, "Ma'mar told us that Qatādah, may Allāh have mercy on him, recited,

Qur’an 39:23تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ

«The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it. Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allāh.»

and said, 'This is the characteristic of the friends of Allāh; Allāh has described them in this manner, saying that their skin shivers, their eyes weep and their hearts find rest to the remembrance of Allāh. He did not say that they lose their minds and swoon; that is the characteristic of the followers of innovation, and that comes from the Shayṭān.'" Allāh's saying:

Qur’an 6:88ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ يَهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ

«That is the guidance of Allāh. He guides therewith whom He wills;» means, this is the characteristic of those whom Allāh has guided, and anyone who does anything different is one of those whom Allāh has sent astray.

Qur’anوَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ

«and whomever Allāh sends astray, for him there is no guide.»

Qur’an 39:24–26أَفَمَن يَتَّقِى بِوَجْهِهِۦ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَقِيلَ لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ ذُوقُوا۟ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ فَأَذَاقَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخِزْىَ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ

«24. Is he then, who will confront with his face the awful torment on the Day of Resurrection? And it will be said to the wrongdoers: "Taste what you used to earn!"» «25. Those before them denied, and so the torment came on them from directions they perceived not.» «26. So, Allāh made them to taste the disgrace in the present life, but greater is the torment of the Hereafter if they only knew!»

The Final Destination of the Disbelievers

Qur’an 39:24أَفَمَن يَتَّقِى بِوَجْهِهِۦ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ

«Is he then, who will confront with his face the awful torment on the Day of Resurrection?» he will be rebuked and he and the evildoers like him will be told:

Qur’an 39:24ذُوقُوا۟ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ

«Taste what you used to earn!» 'Is this like the one who comes secure on the Day of Resurrection?' as Allāh says:

Qur’an 67:22أَفَمَن يَمْشِى مُكِبًّا عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦٓ أَهْدَىٰٓ أَمَّن يَمْشِى سَوِيًّا عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

«Is he who walks prone on his face, more rightly guided, or he who walks upright on the straight way?» (67:22);

Qur’an 54:48يَوْمَ يُسْحَبُونَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ ذُوقُوا۟ مَسَّ سَقَرَ

«The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire (it will be said to them): "Taste you the touch of Hell!"» (54:48), and

Qur’an 41:40أَفَمَن يُلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلنَّارِ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّن يَأْتِىٓ ءَامِنًا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ

«Is he who is cast into the Fire better or he who comes secure on the Day of Resurrection?» (41:40) In each of these Āyāt, it was sufficient to refer to one of the two groups.

Qur’an 39:25كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

«Those before them denied, and so the torment came on them from directions they perceived not.» means, the previous generations who denied the Messengers were destroyed by Allāh for their sins. And none had they to protect them from Allāh.

Qur’an 39:26فَأَذَاقَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخِزْىَ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا

«So Allāh made them to taste the disgrace in the present life,» means, by means of the punishment and revenge which He sent down upon them, and the rejoicing of the believers for what happened to them. So, let those who are addressed beware, for they have rejected the noblest of the Messengers and the Seal of the Prophets ﷺ. And what Allāh has promised them of severe punishment in the Hereafter is worse than whatever befell them in this world. Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:26وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ

«but greater is the torment of the Hereafter if they only knew!»

Qur’an 39:27–31وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيْرَ ذِى عِوَجٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلًا فِيهِ شُرَكَآءُ مُتَشَٰكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِّرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَّيِّتُونَ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ

«27. And indeed We have put forth for men, in this Qur'an every kind of parable in order that they may remember.» «28. An Arabic Qur'ān, without any crookedness (therein) in order that they may have Taqwā of Him.» «29. Allāh puts forth a parable: a man belonging to many partners disputing with one another, and a man belonging entirely to one master. Are those two equal in comparison? All the praises and thanks be to Allāh! But most of them know not.» «30. Verily, you will die, and verily, they (too) will die.» «31. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be disputing before your Lord.»

The Parable of Shirk

Qur’an 39:27وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ

«And indeed We have put forth for men, in this Qur'ān every kind of parable» means, 'We have explained things to mankind in it [the Qur'ān] by setting forth examples and parables.'

Qur’an 39:27لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

«in order that they may remember.» Because parables bring the meaning closer to people's minds. As Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:28ضَرَبَ لَكُم مَّثَلًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ

«He sets forth for you a parable from yourselves» (30:28). meaning, 'so that you may learn it from yourselves.' And Allāh says:

Qur’an 29:43وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْعَٰلِمُونَ

«in Order that they may have Taqwā of Him.» (29:43).

Qur’an 39:28قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيْرَ ذِى عِوَجٍ

«An Arabic Qur'ān, without any crookedness (therein)» means, it is in a plain Arabic tongue, with no crookedness, deviation or confusion. It is plain, clear proof. Allāh has made it like this and has revealed it like this,

Qur’an 39:28لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ

«in order that they may have Taqwā of Him» means, in order that they may heed the warnings contained therein, and strive to attain the promises therein. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:29ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلًا فِيهِ شُرَكَآءُ مُتَشَٰكِسُونَ

«Allāh puts forth a parable: a man belonging to many partners disputing with one another,» meaning, they were disputing concerning that slave in whom they all had a share.

Qur’an 39:29وَرَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِّرَجُلٍ

«and a (slave) man belonging entirely to one master.» means, no one owned him except that one man.

Qur’an 39:29هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا

«Are those two equal in comparison?» meaning, they are not the same. By the same token, the idolator who worships other gods besides Allāh and the sincere believer who worships none besides Allāh, with no partner or associate, are not equal. What comparison can there be between them? Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, Mujāhid and others said, "This Āyah is the parable of the idolator and the sincere believer."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :285.}

Because this parable is so clear and obvious, Allāh then says:

Qur’anٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ

«All the praises and thanks be to Allāh!» i.e., for establishing proof against them.

Qur’an 39:29بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

«But most of them know not.» means, and for this reason they associate others in worship with Allāh.

The fact that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and Quraysh will die, and how They will dispute before Allāh

Allāh's saying;

Qur’an 39:30إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَّيِّتُونَ

«Verily, you will die, and verily, they (too) will die.» This is one of the Āyāt which Abu Bakr Aṣ-Ṣiddīq, may Allāh be pleased with him, quoted when the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ died, so that the people would realize that he had really died. Another Āyah which he quoted was:

Qur’an 3:144وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ أَفَإِي۟ن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ ٱنقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَٰبِكُمْ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ ٱللَّهَ شَيْـًٔا وَسَيَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ

«Muḥammad is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will do to Allāh; and Allāh will give reward to those who are grateful.»(3:144). The meaning of this Āyah is that you will certainly depart this world and be gathered before Allāh in the Hereafter. You will dispute the issues of Tawḥīd and Shirk before Allāh, things over which you disputed in this world, and He will judge between you with truth, and He is the Judge, the All-Knowing. So, He will save the sincere believers who worship Him alone, and He will punish the disbelievers who deny His Oneness and associate others in worship with Him. Although this Āyah speaks about the believers and disbelievers, and how they will dispute in the Hereafter, it also includes all disputants in this world, for their disputes will come back to them in the Hereafter. Ibn Abi Ḥātim, may Allāh have mercy on him, recorded that Ibn Az-Zubayr, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "When the Āyah

Qur’an 39:31ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ

«Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be disputing before your Lord.» was revealed, Az-Zubayr, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, 'O Messenger of Allāh, will we repeat our disputes?' He ﷺ said,

«نَعَمْ»

«Yes.» He (Az-Zubayr) said, 'This is a very serious matter.'"^{2Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 5:614, Aḥmad with similar wording along with the following version.} Aḥmad recorded from Az-Zubayr bin Al-'Awwām, may Allāh be pleased with him, that when this Sūrah was revealed to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ:

Qur’an 39:30–31إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَّيِّتُونَ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ

«Verily, you will die, and verily, they (too) will die. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be disputing before your Lord.» Az-Zubayr, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "O Messenger of Allāh, will the sins that we committed against others in this world be repeated for us?" He ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthنَعَمْ، لَيُكَرَّرَنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ حَتَّى يُؤَدَّى إِلَى كُلِّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقُّهُ

«Yes, they will be repeated until everyone who is entitled will have his rights restored to him.» Az-Zubayr, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "By Allāh, it is a very serious matter."^{3Aḥmad 1:164.} It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, who said "Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ."^{4Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:289.} 'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said:

Qur’an 39:31ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ

«Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be disputing before your Lord.» means, the truthful one will dispute with the liar, the oppressed will dispute with the oppressor, the one who is guided will dispute with the one who is misguided and the weak will dispute with the arrogant. Ibn Mandah recorded in Kitāb Ar-Rūḥ that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The people will dispute on the Day of Resurrection, to the extent that the soul will dispute with the body. The soul will say to the body, 'You did such and such,' and the body will say to the soul, 'You told

Qur’an 39:32–40فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَبَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ إِذْ جَآءَهُۥٓ أَلَيْسَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْكَٰفِرِينَ وَٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ لِيُكَفِّرَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَسْوَأَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِيَهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُۥ وَيُخَوِّفُونَكَ بِٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ وَمَن يَهْدِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّضِلٍّ أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِعَزِيزٍ ذِى ٱنتِقَامٍ وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ قُلْ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَٰشِفَٰتُ ضُرِّهِۦٓ أَوْ أَرَادَنِى بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَٰتُ رَحْمَتِهِۦ قُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّلُ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ قُلْ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّى عَٰمِلٌ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيْهِ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ

me to do it and you tempted me.' Then Allāh will send an angel to judge between them, and he will say, 'You two are like a man who cannot walk but can see, and a man who cannot see but can walk.' They went into a garden and the one who could not walk said to the one who was blind, 'I see fruit there, but I cannot reach it.' The blind man said, 'Climb on me and get it.' So he climbed on him and got it. So which of them is the wrongdoer? They will say, 'Both of them.' The angel will say to them, 'You have passed judgement against yourselves.' The body was a means of transportation for the soul."

Ibn Abi Ḥātim recorded that Sa'īd bin Jubayr said that Ibn 'Umar, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "This Āyah was revealed and we did not know what it was revealed about:

Qur’an 39:31ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ

«Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be disputing before your Lord.»"

He said, "We said, what will we dispute about? There is no dispute between us and the People of the Book, so what will we dispute about? Until the Fitnah occurred." Then Ibn 'Umar, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "This is what our Lord promised us we would dispute about." This was recorded by An-Nasā'ī.^{5An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā no. 11447. This refers to the civil turmoil that began with the assassination of 'Uthmān, may Allāh be pleased with him.}

Qur’an 39:32–35فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَبَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ إِذْ جَآءَهُۥٓ أَلَيْسَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْكَٰفِرِينَ وَٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ لِيُكَفِّرَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَسْوَأَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِيَهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

«32. Then, who does more wrong than one who utters a lie against Allāh, and denies the truth when it comes to him! Is there not in Hell an abode for the disbelievers?»

«33. And he who has brought the truth and (those who) believed therein, they are those who have Taqwā.»

«34. They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord. That is the reward of the doers of good.»

«35. So that Allāh may expiate from them the evil of what they did and give them the reward, according to the best of what they used to do.»

The Punishment of the Disbelievers and Liars, and the Reward of the Sincere Believers

The idolators uttered lies against Allāh and said that there were other gods besides Him and claimed that the angels were the daughters of Allāh and that Allāh had a son - glorified be He far above all that they say. Moreover, they rejected the truth when it came to them on the lips of the Messengers (peace and blessings be upon them all). Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:32فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَبَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ إِذْ جَآءَهُۥٓ

«Then, who does more wrong than one who utters a lie against Allāh, and denies the truth when it comes to him!»

meaning, there is no one who does more wrong than such a person, because he combines the two aspects of falsehood, disbelief in Allāh and disbelief in the Messenger of Allāh. They made false claims and rejected the truth, Allāh threatened them:

Qur’an 39:32أَلَيْسَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«Is there not in Hell an abode for the disbelievers?» who are the deniers and rejecters. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:33وَٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦٓ

«And he who has brought the truth and (those who) believed therein,»

Mujāhid, Qatādah, Ar-Rabī' bin Anas and Ibn Zayd said, "The one who brought the truth was the Messenger ﷺ."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :289, Al-Qurṭubi 15 :256.} 'Abdur-Raḥmān bin Zayd bin Aslam said:

Qur’an 39:33وَٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ

«"And he who has brought the truth» means the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ.

Qur’an 39:33وَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦٓ

«and (those who) believed therein» means the Muslims."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :290.}

Qur’an 39:33أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ

«they are those who have Taqwā». Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "They fear and shun Shirk."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :292.}

Qur’an 39:34لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ

«They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord.» means, in Paradise; whatever they ask for they will have.

Qur’an 39:34–35ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ لِيُكَفِّرَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَسْوَأَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِيَهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

«That is the reward of doers of good. So that Allāh may expiate from them the evil of what they did and give them the reward, according to the best of what they used to do.» This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 46:16أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَتَقَبَّلُ عَنْهُمْ أَحْسَنَ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَنَتَجَاوَزُ عَن سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ فِىٓ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَعْدَ ٱلصِّدْقِ

Qur’anٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يُوعَدُونَ

«They are those from whom We shall accept the best of their deeds and overlook their evil deeds. (They shall be) among the dwellers of Paradise, a promise of truth, which they have been promised.» (46:16).

Qur’an 39:36–40أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُۥ وَيُخَوِّفُونَكَ بِٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ وَمَن يَهْدِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّضِلٍّ أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِعَزِيزٍ ذِى ٱنتِقَامٍ وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ قُلْ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَٰشِفَٰتُ ضُرِّهِۦٓ أَوْ أَرَادَنِى بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَٰتُ رَحْمَتِهِۦ قُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّلُ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ قُلْ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّى عَٰمِلٌ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيْهِ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ

«36. Is not Allāh Sufficient for His servant? Yet they try to frighten you with those besides Him! And whom Allāh sends astray, for him there will be no guide.»

«37. And whomsoever Allāh guides, for him there will be no misleader. Is not Allāh Almighty, Possessor of Retribution?»

«38. And verily, if you ask them: "Who created the heavens and the earth?" Surely, they will say: "Allāh." Say: "Tell me then, the things that you invoke besides Allāh - if Allāh intended some harm for me, could they remove His harm? Or if He intended some mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy?" Say: "Sufficient for me is Allāh; in Him those who trust must put their trust."»

«39. Say: "O My people! Work according to your way, I am working. Then you will come to know"»

«40. "To whom comes a disgracing torment, and on whom descends an everlasting torment."»

Allāh is Sufficient for His Servant

Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:36أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُۥ

«Is not Allāh Sufficient for His servant?» Some of them read it "His servants." It means that Allāh is Sufficient for the one who worships Him and relies upon Him.

Qur’an 39:36وَيُخَوِّفُونَكَ بِٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦ

«Yet they try to frighten you with those besides Him!» means, the idolators tried to scare the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ with their idols and gods which they called upon besides Allāh out of ignorance and misguidance. Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:36–37وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ وَمَن يَهْدِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّضِلٍّ أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِعَزِيزٍ ذِى ٱنتِقَامٍ

«And whom Allāh sends astray, for him there will be no guide. And whomsoever Allāh guides, for him there will be no misleader. Is not Allāh Almighty, Possessor of Retribution?»

meaning, whoever relies on Him and turns to Him, will never be forsaken, for He is the Almighty Who cannot be overwhelmed by another, and there is none more severe than Him in exacting retribution on those who disbelieve in Him, associate others in worship with Him and resist His Messenger ﷺ.

The Idolators admit that Allāh is the Sole Creator because Their gods are incapable

Qur’an 39:38وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ

«And verily, if you ask them: "Who created the heavens and the earth?" Surely, they will say: "Allāh."»

means, the idolators used to recognize that Allāh was the Creator of all things, but despite that they still worshipped others besides Him, others who had no power to bring benefit or cause harm. Allāh said:

Qur’an 39:38قُلْ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَٰشِفَٰتُ ضُرِّهِۦٓ أَوْ أَرَادَنِى بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَٰتُ رَحْمَتِهِۦ

«Say: "Tell me then, the things that you invoke besides Allāh - if Allāh intended some harm for me, could they remove His harm? Or if He (Allāh) intended some mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy?"»

meaning, they cannot do any of that at all. Here Ibn Abi Ḥātim recorded a narration from Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, attributing it to the Prophet ﷺ:

Ḥadīthاحْفَظِ اللهَ يَحْفَظْكَ، احْفَظِ اللهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَكَ، تَعَرَّفْ إِلَى اللهِ فِي الرَّخَاءِ يَعْرِفْكَ فِي الشِّدَّةِ، إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلِ اللهَ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللهِ، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْأُمَّةَ لَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَىٰ أَنْ يَضُرُّوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَكْتُبْهُ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ لَمْ يَضُرُّوكَ، وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَىٰ أَنْ يَنْفَعُوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَكْتُبْهُ اللهُ لَكَ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوكَ، جَفَّتِ الصُّحُفُ وَرُفِعَتِ الْأَقْلَامُ، وَاعْمَلْ لِلهِ بِالشُّكْرِ فِي الْيَقِينِ. وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ فِي الصَّبْرِ عَلَىٰ مَا تَكْرَهُ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا، وَأَنَّ النَّصْرَ مَعَ الصَّبْرِ، وَأَنَّ الْفَرَجَ مَعَ الْكَرْبِ، وَأَنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

«Be mindful of Allāh and He will protect you; be mindful of Allāh and you will find Him ever with you. Turn to Allāh in times of ease and He will turn to you in times of difficulty. If you ask anyone for anything, then ask Allāh; if you seek help from anyone, then seek help from Allāh. Know that even if the entire nation were to come together to do you some harm that Allāh has not decreed for you, they will never be able to harm you, and if they were to come together to do you some good that Allāh has not decreed for you, they will never be able to do that. The pages have dried and the pens have been lifted. Strive for the sake of Allāh with thankfulness and firm conviction, and know that in patiently persevering with regard to something that you dislike there is much goodness. Victory comes with patience, a way out comes from difficulty and with hardship comes ease.»^{1Aḥmad 1:307.}

Qur’an 39:38قُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ

«Say: "Sufficient for me is Allāh..."» means, 'Allāh is enough for me.'

Qur’an 12:67عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَعَلَيْهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ

«In Him I put my trust, and let all those that trust, put their trust in Him.» [12: 67]

This is like what Hūd, peace be upon him, said to his people:

Qur’an 39:41–47إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ لِلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَلِنَفْسِهِۦ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَٱلَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ فِى مَنَامِهَا فَيُمْسِكُ ٱلَّتِى قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ شُفَعَآءَ قُلْ أَوَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ قُل لِّلَّهِ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةُ جَمِيعًا لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ ٱشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوبُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ عَٰلِمَ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ أَنتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِى مَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُۥ مَعَهُۥ لَٱفْتَدَوْا۟ بِهِۦ مِن سُوٓءِ ٱلْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَبَدَا لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا۟ يَحْتَسِبُونَ

Qur’an 11:54–56إِن نَّقُولُ إِلَّا ٱعْتَرَىٰكَ بَعْضُ ءَالِهَتِنَا بِسُوٓءٍ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أُشْهِدُ ٱللَّهَ وَٱشْهَدُوٓا۟ أَنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ فَكِيدُونِى جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ لَا تُنظِرُونِ إِنِّى تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذٌۢ بِنَاصِيَتِهَآ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

«"All that we say is that some of our gods have seized you with evil." He said: "I call Allāh to witness and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe as partners in worship, with Him. So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allāh, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature but He has the grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the straight path."»(11:54-56).

Qur’anقُلْ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ

«Say: "O My people! Work according to your way..."» This is a threat and a warning.

Qur’an 39:39إِنِّى عَٰمِلٌ

«I am working» means, 'according to my way.'

Qur’an 39:39فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

«Then you will come to know» means, you will learn the consequences.

Qur’an 39:40مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ

«To whom comes a disgracing torment,» means, in this world,

Qur’an 39:40وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيْهِ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ

«and on whom descends an everlasting torment.» means, ongoing and eternal, with no escape, which will come on the Day of Resurrection. We seek refuge with Allāh from that.

Qur’an 39:41–42إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ لِلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَلِنَفْسِهِۦ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَٱلَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ فِى مَنَامِهَا فَيُمْسِكُ ٱلَّتِى قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

«41. Verily, We have sent down to you the Book for mankind in truth. So, whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for himself; and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only to his (own) loss. And you are not a trustee over them.»

«42. It is Allāh Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply.»

Allāh says, addressing His Messenger Muḥammad ﷺ:

Qur’an 39:41إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ

«Verily, We have sent down to you the Book» meaning, the Qur'ān.

Qur’an 39:41لِلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَقِّ

«for mankind in truth.» means, for all of creation, mankind and Jinn, so that he may warn them therewith.

Qur’an 39:41فَمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَلِنَفْسِهِۦ

«So, whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for himself;» means, the benefit of that will return to him.

Qur’an 39:41وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا

«and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his (own) loss.» means, the consequences of that will return to him.

Qur’an 39:41وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ

«And you are not a trustee over them.» means, 'you are not responsible for guiding them.'

Qur’an 11:12إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ نَذِيرٌ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَكِيلٌ

«But you are only a warner. And Allāh is a Trustee over all things» (11:12).

Qur’an 13:40فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَٰغُ وَعَلَيْنَا ٱلْحِسَابُ

«your duty is only to convey and on Us is the reckoning» (13:40).

Allāh is the One Who causes Death and gives Life

Then Allāh tells us that He is in control of all things and does as He wills. He causes men to die (the "greater death") when He sends the angels to take men's souls from their bodies, and He causes them to "die a lesser death" when they sleep. Allāh says:

Qur’an 6:60–61وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا جَرَحْتُم بِٱلنَّهَارِ ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُكُمْ فِيهِ لِيُقْضَىٰٓ أَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلْقَاهِرُ فَوْقَ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيُرْسِلُ عَلَيْكُمْ حَفَظَةً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ تَوَفَّتْهُ رُسُلُنَا وَهُمْ لَا يُفَرِّطُونَ

«It is He, Who takes your souls by night (when you are asleep), and has knowledge of all that you have done by day, then He raises (wakes) you up again that a term appointed be fulfilled, then (in the end) unto Him will be your return. Then He will inform you of that which you used to do. He is the Irresistible, over His servants, and He sends guardians (angels guarding and writing all of one's good and bad deeds) over you, until when death approaches one of you, Our messengers (angels) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty.»(6:60-61).

Here Allāh mentions the two deaths, the lesser death then the greater death after it; in the Āyah above (39: 42), He mentions the greater then the lesser. Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:42ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَٱلَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ فِى مَنَامِهَا فَيُمْسِكُ ٱلَّتِى قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى

«It is Allāh Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed.»

This indicates that they [the souls] meet in the higher realm, as was stated in the Ḥadīth attributed to the Prophet ﷺ which was narrated by Ibn Mandah and others. In the Two Ṣaḥīḥs of Al-Bukhāri and Muslim, it is reported that Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِذَا أَوَىٰ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَىٰ فِرَاشِهِ فَلْيَنْفُضْهُ بِدَاخِلَةِ إِزَارِهِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَدْرِي مَا خَلَفَهُ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ لِيَقُلْ: بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ، إِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ

«When anyone of you goes to bed, let him brush down the bed with his garment, for he does not know what has come on his bed since he left it. Then let him say, "In Your Name, O Lord, I lay down my side and in Your Name I raise it up; if You take my soul, have mercy on it, and if You send it back, protect it with that which You protect Your righteous servants."»^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:130, Muslim 4:2084.}

Qur’an 39:42فَيُمْسِكُ ٱلَّتِى قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ

«He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death»

means, those which have died, and He returns the others back for an appointed term. As-Suddi said, "For the rest of their lives."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:298.}

Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "He keeps the souls of the dead and sends back the souls of the living, and He does not make any mistakes.

Qur’an 39:42إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

«Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply.»

Qur’an 39:43–45أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ شُفَعَآءَ قُلْ أَوَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ قُل لِّلَّهِ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةُ جَمِيعًا لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ

Qur’an 39:45وَحْدَهُ ٱشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوبُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ

«43. Have they taken as intercessors besides Allāh? Say: "Even if they have power over nothing whatever and have no intelligence?"»

«44. Say: "To Allāh belongs all intercession. His is the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you shall be brought back."»

«45. And when Allāh Alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who believe not in the Hereafter are filled with disgust and when those besides Him are mentioned, behold, they rejoice!»

There is no Intercession except with Allāh, and how the Idolators are filled with Disgust when Allāh is mentioned alone

Allāh condemns the idolators for taking intercessors besides Allāh, namely the idols and false gods whom they have taken on the basis of their own whims, with no evidence or proof. These idols are not able to do anything; they have no minds with which to think, and they cannot hear or see. They are inanimate and are much worse off than animals. Then Allāh says: 'Say - O Muḥammad - to these people who claim that those whom they have taken as intercessors with Allāh, that intercession is of no avail except for the one with whom Allāh is pleased and to whom He has granted permission to intercede. The whole matter rests with Him.'

Qur’an 2:255مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ

«Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission?» (2:255).

Qur’an 39:44لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ

«His is the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth.» means, He is the One Who is in control of all that.

Qur’an 39:44ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

«Then to Him you shall be brought back.»

Qur’an 39:48–56وَبَدَا لَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ فَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلْنَٰهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍۭ بَلْ هِىَ فِتْنَةٌ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ قَدْ قَالَهَا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ سَيُصِيبُهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ قُلْ يَٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ وَأَنِيبُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا۟ لَهُۥ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ وَٱتَّبِعُوٓا۟ أَحْسَنَ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَٰحَسْرَتَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِى جَنۢبِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ ٱلسَّٰخِرِينَ

means, 'on the Day of Resurrection, then He will judge between you with His justice, and He will reward or punish each person according to his deeds.' Then Allāh condemns the idolators further:

Qur’an 39:45وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ

«And when Allāh Alone is mentioned» means, when it is said there is no (true) God except Allāh Alone,

Qur’an 39:45ٱشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوبُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ

«the hearts of those who believe not in the Hereafter are filled with disgust»

Mujāhid said, "Their hearts are filled with disgust means they recoil in horror."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:301.} This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 37:35إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوٓا۟ إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ

«Truly, when it was said to them: "Lā ilāha illā Allāh," they puffed themselves up with pride.» (37:35)

which means, they were too proud to follow it. Their hearts could not accept anything good, and whoever cannot accept good will accept evil. Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:45وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ

«and when those besides Him are mentioned,» meaning, the idols and false gods - this was the view of Mujāhid -

Qur’an 39:45إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ

«behold, they rejoice!» means, they feel happy.

Qur’an 39:46–48قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ عَٰلِمَ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ أَنتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِى مَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُۥ مَعَهُۥ لَٱفْتَدَوْا۟ بِهِۦ مِن سُوٓءِ ٱلْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَبَدَا لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا۟ يَحْتَسِبُونَ وَبَدَا لَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

«46. Say: "O Allāh! Creator of the heavens and the earth! All-Knower of the unseen and the seen! You will judge between your servants about that wherein they used to differ."»

«47. And those who did wrong, if they had all that is on the earth and therewith as much again, they verily, would offer it to ransom themselves therewith on the Day of Resurrection from the evil torment; and there will become apparent to them from Allāh what they had not been reckoning.»

«48. And the evils of that which they earned will become apparent to them, and that which they used to mock at will encircle them.»

How to supplicate

After condemning the idolators for their love of Shirk and their hatred of Tawḥīd, Allāh then says:

Qur’an 39:46قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ عَٰلِمَ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ

«Say: "O Allāh! Creator of the heavens and the earth! All-Knower of the unseen and the seen!..."»

meaning, 'call you upon Allāh Alone with no partner or associate, Who has created the heavens and the earth and originated them,' i.e., made them like nothing that ever before existed.

Qur’an 39:46عَٰلِمَ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ

«All-Knower of the unseen and the seen!»

means, what is secret and what is open.

Qur’an 39:46أَنتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِى مَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ

«You will judge between your servants about that wherein they used to differ.»

means, in this world; 'You will judge between them on the Day when they are resurrected and brought forth from their graves.' In his Ṣaḥīḥ, Muslim recorded that Abu Salamah bin 'Abdur-Raḥmān said, "I asked 'Ā'ishah, may Allāh be pleased with her, how the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ started his prayer when he stood up to pray at night. She said, may Allāh be pleased with her: 'When the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ stood up to pray at night, he would start his prayer with the words:

Ḥadīthاللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ، فَاطِرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ، اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِكَ، إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ

«O Allāh, Lord of Jibrīl, Mikā'īl and Isrāfīl, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You will judge between Your servants concerning that wherein they differ. Guide me with regard to that wherein there is dispute concerning the truth by Your leave, for You guide whomsoever You will to the straight path.»"^{1Muslim 2:534.}

No Ransom will be accepted on the Day of Resurrection

Qur’an 39:47وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟

«And those who did wrong,» means, the idolators.

Qur’an 39:47مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُۥ مَعَهُۥ

«if they had all that is in earth and therewith as much again,»

Qur’an 39:47لَٱفْتَدَوْا۟ بِهِۦ مِن سُوٓءِ ٱلْعَذَابِ

«they verily, would offer it to ransom themselves therewith from the evil torment;»

means, that which Allāh has decreed for them on the Day of Resurrection. But the ransom will not be accepted from them, even if it were to be an earth-full of gold as He mentioned elswhere (3:91). Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:47وَبَدَا لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا۟ يَحْتَسِبُونَ

«and there will become apparent to them from Allāh what they had not been reckoning.»

which means, when they come to realize what Allāh's punishment for them will be, which they had never before imagined.

Qur’an 39:48وَبَدَا لَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟

«And the evils of that which they earned will become apparent to them,»

means, they will see the punishment for the forbidden actions and sins which they committed in this world.

Qur’anوَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

«and that which they used to mock at will encircle them.»

means, the punishment which they used to make fun of in this world will encompass them.

Qur’an 39:49–52فَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلْنَٰهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍۭ بَلْ هِىَ فِتْنَةٌ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ قَدْ قَالَهَا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ سَيُصِيبُهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«49. When harm touches man, he calls to Us (for help); then when We have changed it into a favor from Us, he says: "Only because of knowledge I obtained it." Nay, it is only a trial, but most of them know not!»

«50. Verily, those before them said it, yet (all) that they had earned availed them not.»

«51. So, the evil results of that which they earned overtook them. And those who did wrong of these will also be overtaken by the evil results for that which they earned; and they will never be able to escape.»

«52. Do they not know that Allāh expands the provision for whom He wills, and straitens it. Verily, in this are signs for the folk who believe!»

How Man changes when He is blessed after suffering Harm

Allāh tells us how man, when he is suffering from harm, prays to Allāh, turning to Him in repentance and calling upon Him, but when He makes things easy for him, he transgresses and commits sins.

Qur’an 39:49إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍۭ

«Only because of knowledge I obtained it.»

means, 'because Allāh knows that I deserve it; if it were not for the fact that Allāh regards me as special, He would not have given me this.' Qatādah said, "Because I know that I deserve it."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:301.} Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:49بَلْ هِىَ فِتْنَةٌ

«Nay, it is only a trial,» meaning, 'the matter is not as he claims; on the contrary, We have blessed him with this as a test to see whether he will be obedient or disobedient - although We have prior knowledge of that.' In fact, it is a trial.

Qur’an 39:49وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

«but most of them know not!» So they say what they say and claim what they claim.

Qur’an 39:50قَدْ قَالَهَا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ

«Verily, those before them said it,» means, the previous nations who came before said the same things and made the same claims,

Qur’anفَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ

«yet (all) that they had earned availed them not.»

means, what they said was not right and all that they had gathered did not save them.

Qur’an 39:51فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ

«So, the evil results of that which they earned overtook them. And those who did wrong of these...»

means, the people who are addressed here,

Qur’an 39:51سَيُصِيبُهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟

«will also be overtaken by the evil results (torment) for that which they earned;»

just as happened to those earlier peoples.

Qur’an 39:51وَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ

«and they will never be able to escape.»

This is like the Āyah in which Allāh tells us how Qārūn reacted when his people told him:

Qur’an 28:76–78لَا تَفْرَحْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْفَرِحِينَ وَٱبْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ وَلَا تَبْغِ ٱلْفَسَادَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِىٓ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًا وَلَا يُسْـَٔلُ عَن ذُنُوبِهِمُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ

«"Do not exult, verily, Allāh likes not those who exult. But seek, with that (wealth) which Allāh has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and do good as Allāh has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allāh likes not the corrupters." He said: "This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess." Did he not know that Allāh had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? But the criminals will not be questioned of their sins."» (28:76-78).

And Allāh says:

Qur’an 34:35وَقَالُوا۟ نَحْنُ أَكْثَرُ أَمْوَٰلًا وَأَوْلَٰدًا وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ

«And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished."» (34:35).

Qur’an 39:52أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ

«Do they not know that Allāh expands the provision for whom

Qur’an 39:57–67أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هَدَىٰنِى لَكُنتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى ٱلْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِى كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَآءَتْكَ ءَايَٰتِى فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَٱسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ تَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وُجُوهُهُم مُّسْوَدَّةٌ أَلَيْسَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ وَيُنَجِّى ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ بِمَفَازَتِهِمْ لَا يَمَسُّهُمُ ٱلسُّوٓءُ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ٱللَّهُ خَٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَكِيلٌ لَّهُۥ مَقَالِيدُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ قُلْ أَفَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ تَأْمُرُوٓنِّىٓ أَعْبُدُ أَيُّهَا ٱلْجَٰهِلُونَ وَلَقَدْ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ بَلِ ٱللَّهَ فَٱعْبُدْ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ مَطْوِيَّٰتٌۢ بِيَمِينِهِۦ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

He wills, and straitens it.»

means, He gives plenty to some and restricts the provision for others.

«

Qur’an 39:52إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«Verily, in this are signs for the folk who believe!»

means, there is a lesson and proof.

Qur’an 39:53–59قُلْ يَٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ وَأَنِيبُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا۟ لَهُۥ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ وَٱتَّبِعُوٓا۟ أَحْسَنَ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَٰحَسْرَتَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِى جَنۢبِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ ٱلسَّٰخِرِينَ أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هَدَىٰنِى لَكُنتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى ٱلْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِى كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَآءَتْكَ ءَايَٰتِى فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَٱسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«53. Say: "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves! Despair not of the mercy of Allāh, verily, Allāh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."»

«54. "And turn in repentance (and in obedience with true faith) to your Lord and submit to Him before the torment comes upon you, (and) then you will not be helped."»

«55. "And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord, before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!"»

«56. Lest a person should say: "Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allāh, and I was indeed among those who mocked."»

«57. Or (lest) he should say: "If only Allāh had guided me, I should indeed have been among those who have Taqwā."»

«58. Or (lest) he should say when he sees the torment: "If only I had another chance, then I should indeed be among the doers of good."»

«59. Yes! Verily, there came to you My Āyāt and you denied them, and were proud and were among the disbelievers.»

The Call to repent before the Punishment comes

This Āyah is a call to all sinners, be they disbelievers or others, to repent and turn to Allāh. This Āyah tells us that Allāh, may He be blessed and exalted, will forgive all the sins of those who repent to Him and turn back to Him, no matter what or how many his sins are, even if they are like the foam of the sea. This cannot be interpreted as meaning that sins will be forgiven without repentance, because Shirk can only be forgiven for the one who repents from it. Al-Bukhāri recorded that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said that some of the people of Shirk killed many people and committed Zinā (illegal sexual acts) to a great extent; they came to Muḥammad ﷺ and said, "What you are saying and calling us to is good; if only you could tell us that there is an expiation for what we have done." Then the following Āyāt were revealed:

Qur’an 25:68وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ

«And those who invoke not any other god along with Allāh, nor kill such person as Allāh has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse» (25:68).

Qur’an 39:53قُلْ يَٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ

«Say: "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves! Despair not of the mercy of Allāh.» This was also recorded by Muslim, Abu Dāwud and An-Nasā'ī.^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:411, Muslim 1:113, Abu Dāwud 4:166, An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 446.} What is meant by the first Āyah (25:68) is:

Qur’an 25:70إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَٰلِحًا

«Except those who repent and believe, and do righteous deeds» (25:70).

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Asmā' bint Yazīd, said, "I heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ reciting,

Qur’an 11:46إِنَّهُۥ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صَٰلِحٍ

«verily, his work is unrighteous» (11:46). And I heard him ﷺ say:

(قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللهِ إِنَّ اللهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا وَلَا يُبَالِي إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ)

(Say: "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves! Despair not of the mercy of Allāh, verily, Allāh forgives all sins He does not reckon him Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful)."^{2Aḥmad 6:454.}

This was also recorded by Abu Dāwud and At-Tirmidhi.^{3Abu Dāwud 4:285, Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:111.}

All of these Ḥadīths indicate that what is meant is that Allāh forgives all sins provided that a person repents. Additionally, one must not despair of the mercy of Allāh even if his sins are many and great, for the door of repentance and mercy is expansive. Allāh says:

Qur’an 9:104أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ يَقْبَلُ ٱلتَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِۦ

«Know they not that Allāh accepts repentance from His servants» (9:104).

Qur’an 4:110وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُۥ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ ٱللَّهَ يَجِدِ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

«And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allāh's forgiveness, he will find Allāh Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.» (4:110).

Concerning the hypocrites, Allāh says:

Qur’an 4:145–146إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرْكِ ٱلْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَأَصْلَحُوا۟

«Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them. Except those who repent, and do righteous good deeds» (4:145-146).

And Allāh says:

Qur’an 5:73لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَٰثَةٍ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّآ إِلَٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُوا۟ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

«Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allāh is the third of the three (in a Trinity)." But there is no god but One. And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall on the disbelievers among them.» (5:73).

Then He says:

Qur’an 5:74أَفَلَا يَتُوبُونَ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«Will they not turn in repentance to Allāh and ask His forgiveness? For Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.» (5:74)

And Allāh says:

Qur’an 85:10إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَتَنُوا۟ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتُوبُوا۟

«Verily, those who put into trial the believing men and believing women (by torturing them), and then do not turn in repentance (to Allāh)» (85:10).

Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣri, may Allāh have mercy on him, said, "Look at this generosity and kindness! They killed His close friends but He still called them to repentance and forgiveness." There are many Āyāt on this topic.

The Two Ṣaḥīḥs record the Ḥadīth of Abu Sa'īd, may Allāh be pleased with him, from Messenger of Allāh ﷺ about the man who killed ninety-nine people. Later on, he regretted it and asked a worshipper among the Children of Israel whether he could repent. He told him no, so he killed him, thus completing one hundred. Then he asked one of their scholars whether he could repent. He said, "What is stopping you from repenting?" Then he told him to go to a town where Allāh was worshipped. He set out for that town, but death came to him while he was on the road. The angels of mercy and the angels of punishment disputed over him, so Allāh commanded them to measure the distance between the two towns; whichever he was closer to was the one to which he belonged. They found that he was closer to the town he was heading for, so the angels of mercy took him. It was said that when he was dying, he moved himself (towards that town), and Allāh commanded the good town to move closer to him and the other town to move away.^{4Fatḥ Al-Bāri 6:591.} This is basic meaning of the Ḥadīth; we have quoted it in full elsewhere.

'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, commented on the Āyah:

Qur’an 39:53قُلْ يَٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا

«Say: "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves! Despair not of the mercy of Allāh, verily, Allāh forgives all sins..."»

Allāh invites all to His forgiveness; those who claim that the Messiah is God, those who claim that the Messiah is the son of God, those who claim that 'Uzayr is the son of God, those who claim that Allāh is poor, those who claim that the Hand of Allāh is tied up, and those who say that Allāh is the third of three [Trinity]. Allāh says to all of these:

Qur’an 5:74أَفَلَا يَتُوبُونَ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«Will they not turn in repentance to Allāh and ask His forgiveness? For Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.» (5:74).

And He calls to repentance the one who says something even worse than that, the one who says, 'I am your Lord most high,' and says,

Qur’an 28:38مَا عَلِمْتُ لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرِى

«"I know not that you have a god other than me."» (28:38).

Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "Anyone who makes the servants of Allāh despair of His mercy after this, has rejected the Book of Allāh, but a person cannot repent until Allāh decrees that he should repent."[1]

Aṭ-Ṭabarāni recorded that Shutayr bin Shakal said, "I heard Ibn Mas'ūd say, 'The greatest Āyah in the Book of Allāh is:

Qur’anٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ

«Allāh! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists»(2:255).

The most comprehensive Āyah in the Qur'ān concerning good and evil is:

Qur’an 16:90إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَٰنِ

«Verily, Allāh enjoins justice and Al-Iḥsān» (16:90).

The Āyah in the Qur'ān which brings the most relief is in Sūrat Az-Zumar.

Qur’an 39:53قُلْ يَٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ

«Say: "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves! Despair not of the mercy of Allāh."»

And the clearest Āyah in the Qur'ān about reliance on Allāh is:

Qur’an 65:2–3وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ

«And whosoever has Taqwā of Allāh, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine» (65:2-3).'

Masrūq said to him; 'You have spoken the truth.'"^{5Aṭ-Ṭabarāni 9:142.}

Ḥadīths which tell us not to despair

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Anas bin Mālik, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "I heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, say:

«وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ! لَوْ أَخْطَأْتُمْ حَتَّى تَمْلَأَ خَطَايَاكُمْ مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ، ثُمَّ

Recorded by Ibn Jarīr and Ibn Al-Mundhir, see Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 5:621. اسْتَغْفَرْتُمُ اللهَ تَعَالَى لَغَفَرَ لَكُمْ، وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ! لَوْ لَمْ تُخْطِئُوا لَجَاءَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِقَوْمٍ يُخْطِئُونَ، ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ اللهَ فَيَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ»

«By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, if you were to commit sin until your sins filled the space between heaven and earth, then you were to ask Allāh for forgiveness, He would forgive you. By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muḥammad, if you did not commit sin, Allāh would bring other people who would commit sins and then ask Allāh for forgiveness so that He could forgive them.»"^{6Aḥmad 3:238.}

This was recorded only by Aḥmad.

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Abu Ayyūb Al-Anṣāri, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, as he was on his deathbed, "I have concealed something from you that I heard from the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ; he said:

Ḥadīthلَوْلَا أَنَّكُمْ تُذْنِبُونَ لَخَلَقَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَوْمًا يُذْنِبُونَ، فَيَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ

«If you did not commit sins, Allāh would create people who would sin so that He could forgive them.»"

This was recorded by Imām Aḥmad; it was also recorded by Muslim in his Ṣaḥīḥ, and by At-Tirmidhi.^{7Aḥmad 5:414, Muslim 4:2105, Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:223.}

Allāh encourages His servants to hasten to repent, as He says:

Qur’an 39:54وَأَنِيبُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا۟ لَهُۥ

«And turn in repentance (and in obedience with true faith) to your Lord and submit to Him»

meaning, turn back to Allāh and submit yourselves to Him.

Qur’an 39:54مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ

«before the torment comes upon you, (and) then you will not be helped.»

means, hasten to repent and do righteous deeds before His wrath comes upon you.

Qur’an 39:55وَٱتَّبِعُوٓا۟ أَحْسَنَ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم

«And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord,»

means, the Qur'ān.

Qur’an 39:55مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ

«before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!»

means, without you realizing it.

Qur’an 39:56أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَٰحَسْرَتَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِى جَنۢبِ ٱللَّهِ

«Lest a person should say: "Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allāh..."»

means, on the Day of Resurrection, the sinner who neglected to repent and turn back to Allāh will regret it, and will wish that he had been one of the righteous who obeyed Allāh.

Qur’an 39:56وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ ٱلسَّٰخِرِينَ

«and I was indeed among those who mocked.»

means, 'my actions in this world were those of one who ridicules and makes fun, not of one who has firm faith and is sincere.'

Qur’an 39:57–58أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هَدَىٰنِى لَكُنتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى ٱلْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِى كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

«Or (lest) he should say: "If only Allāh had guided me, I should indeed have been among those who have Taqwā ". Or he should say when he sees the torment: "If only I had another chance, then I should indeed be among the doers of good."»

means, he will wish that he could go back to this world, so that he could do righteous deeds. 'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "Allāh tells us what His servants will say before they say it and what they will do before they do it. He says:

Qur’an 35:14وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيرٍ

«And none can inform you like Him Who is the All-Knower» (35:14).

Qur’an 39:56–57أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَٰحَسْرَتَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِى جَنۢبِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ ٱلسَّٰخِرِينَ أَوْ تَقُولَ

Qur’an 39:57–58لَوْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هَدَىٰنِى لَكُنتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى ٱلْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِى كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

«Lest a person should say: "Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allāh, and I was indeed among those who mocked." Or he should say: "If only Allāh had guided me, I should indeed have been among those who have Taqwā." Or he should say when he sees the torment: "If only I had another chance, then I should indeed be among the doers of good."».^{8Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:316.}

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthكُلُّ أَهْلِ النَّارِ يَرَى مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَيَقُولُ: لَوْ أَنَّ الله هَدَانِي! فَتَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ حَسْرَةً، قال: وَكُلُّ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ يَرَى مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ فَيَقُولُ: لَوْلَا أَنَّ الله هَدَانِي، قال: فَيَكُونُ لَهُ شُكْرًا

«Each of the people of Hell will be shown his place in Paradise and he will say, "If only Allāh had guided me!" so it will be a source of regret for him. And each of the people of Paradise will be shown his place in Hell and he will say, "If it were not for the fact that Allāh guided me," so it will be a cause of thanks.»"^{9Aḥmad 1:512.}

It was also narrated by An-Nasa'i.^{10Aḥmad no. 10660, An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 6:447.}

When the sinners wish that they could return to this world so that they could believe the Āyāt of Allāh and follow His Messengers, Allāh will say:

Qur’an 39:59بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَآءَتْكَ ءَايَٰتِى فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَٱسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«Yes! Verily, there came to you My Āyāt and you denied them, and were proud and were among the disbelievers.»

meaning, 'O you who regret what you did, My Āyāt did come to you in the world, and My proof was established against you, but you rejected it and were too arrogant to follow it, and you were among those who disbelieved in it.'

Qur’an 39:60–61وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ تَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وُجُوهُهُم مُّسْوَدَّةٌ أَلَيْسَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ وَيُنَجِّى ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ بِمَفَازَتِهِمْ لَا يَمَسُّهُمُ ٱلسُّوٓءُ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

«60. And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allāh - their faces will be black. Is there not in Hell an abode for the arrogant?»

«61. And Allāh will deliver those who have Taqwā to their places of success. Evil shall touch them not, nor shall they grieve.»

The Consequences for Those Who tell Lies against Allāh and for Those Who have Taqwā

Allāh tells us that on the Day of Resurrection, some faces will be blackened and some will be whitened. The faces of those who followed splits and divisions will be blackened, and the faces of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamā'ah will be whitened. Allāh says here:

Qur’an 39:60وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ تَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ

«And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allāh»

meaning, by their claims that He had partners or offspring.

Qur’an 39:60وُجُوهُهُم مُّسْوَدَّةٌ

«their faces will be black.» means, because of their lies and fabrications.

Qur’an 39:60أَلَيْسَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ

«Is there not in Hell an abode for the arrogant?»

means, is not Hell sufficient for them as a prison and humiliating final destination, because of their stubborn pride, arrogance and refusal to follow the truth?

Qur’an 39:61وَيُنَجِّى ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ بِمَفَازَتِهِمْ

«And Allāh will deliver those who are those who have Taqwā to their places of success.»

means, because of what Allāh has decreed for them of happiness and victory.

Qur’an 39:61لَا يَمَسُّهُمُ ٱلسُّوٓءُ

«Evil shall touch them not,» means, on the Day of Resurrection.

Qur’an 39:61وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

«nor shall they grieve.» means, the greater terror (of that Day) will not cause them grief, for they will be safe from all grief and removed from all evil, and they will attain all that is good.

Qur’an 39:62–66ٱللَّهُ خَٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَكِيلٌ لَّهُۥ مَقَالِيدُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ قُلْ أَفَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ تَأْمُرُوٓنِّىٓ أَعْبُدُ أَيُّهَا ٱلْجَٰهِلُونَ وَلَقَدْ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ بَلِ ٱللَّهَ فَٱعْبُدْ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ

«62. Allāh is the Creator of all things, and He is the Trustee over all things.»

«63. To Him belong the Maqālīd of the heavens and the earth. And those who disbelieve in the Āyāt of Allāh, such are they who will be the losers.»

«64. Say: "Do you order me to worship other than Allāh? O you fools!"»

«65. And indeed it has been revealed to you, as it was to those before you: "If you join others in worship with Allāh, surely your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers."»

«66. Nay! But worship Allāh, and be among the grateful.»

Allāh is the Creator and Controller, and associating others in worship with Him cancels out Good Deeds

Allāh tells us that He is the Creator, Lord, Sovereign and Controller of all things; everything is subject to His dominion, power and guardianship.

Qur’an 39:63لَّهُۥ مَقَالِيدُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ

«To Him belong the Maqālīd of the heavens and the earth.»

Mujāhid said, "Maqālīd means 'keys' in Persian." This was also the view of Qatādah, Ibn Zayd and Sufyān bin 'Uyaynah.^{1Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 7 :243, Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :321.} As-Suddi said:

Qur’an 39:63لَّهُۥ مَقَالِيدُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ

«To Him belong the Maqālīd of the heavens and the earth.»

"The treasures of the heavens and the earth."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :321.} Both opinions mean that the control of all things is in the Hand of Allāh, may He be blessed and exalted, for His is the dominion and to Him is the praise, and He is able to do all things. He says:

Qur’an 39:63وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ

«And those who disbelieve in the Āyāt of Allāh,»

meaning, His proof and evidence,

Qur’an 39:63أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ

«such are they who will be the losers.»

Qur’an 39:64قُلْ أَفَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ تَأْمُرُوٓنِّىٓ أَعْبُدُ أَيُّهَا ٱلْجَٰهِلُونَ

«Say: "Do you order me to worship other than Allāh? O you fools!"»

The reason for the revelation of this Āyah was narrated by Ibn Abi Ḥātim and others from Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, that the idolators in their ignorance called the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ to worship their gods, then they would worship his God with him. Then these words were revealed:

Qur’an 39:64–65قُلْ أَفَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ تَأْمُرُوٓنِّىٓ أَعْبُدُ أَيُّهَا ٱلْجَٰهِلُونَ وَلَقَدْ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ

«Say: "Do you order me to worship other than Allāh? O you fools!" And indeed it has been revealed to you, as it was to those before you: "If you join others in worship with Allāh, surely your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers."»^{3See Aṭ-Ṭabari, the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Kāfirūn.}

This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 6:88وَلَوْ أَشْرَكُوا۟ لَحَبِطَ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

«But if they had joined in worship others with Allāh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.» (6:88).

Qur’an 39:66بَلِ ٱللَّهَ فَٱعْبُدْ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ

«Nay! But worship Allāh, and be among the grateful.»

means, 'you and those who follow you and believe in you should make your worship sincerely for Allāh Alone, with no partner or associate.'

Qur’an 39:67وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ مَطْوِيَّٰتٌۢ بِيَمِينِهِۦ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

«67. They made not a just estimate of Allāh such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified be He, and High be He above all that they associate as partners with Him!»

The Idolators did not make a just Estimate of Allāh such as is due to Him

Qur’an 39:67وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦ

«They made not a just estimate of Allāh such as is due to Him.»

means, the idolators did not give Allāh His due when they worshipped others alongside Him. He is the Almighty, and there is none mightier than Him; He is the One Who is able to do all things; He is the Owner of all things and everything is under His control and power. Mujāhid said, "This was revealed concerning Quraysh." As-Suddi said, "They did not venerate Him as He deserves to be venerated."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :321.} Muḥammad bin Ka'b said, "If they had made a just estimate of Allāh such as is due to Him, they would not have lied." 'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said:

Qur’an 39:67وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦ

«They made not a just estimate of Allāh such as is due to Him.» "These are the disbeliever who did not believe that Allāh had power over them. Whoever believes that Allāh is able to do all things, has made a just estimate of Allāh such as is due to Him, and whoever does not believe that, has not made a just estimate of Allāh such as is due to Him."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:321.}

Many Ḥadīths have been narrated concerning this Āyah and how it and other Āyāt like it are to be interpreted and accepted without any attempts to twist or change the meaning. Concerning the Āyah,

Qur’an 39:67وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦ

«They made not a just estimate of Allāh such as is due to Him.»

Al-Bukhāri recorded that 'Abdullāh bin Mas'ūd, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "One of the rabbis came to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and said, 'O Muḥammad! We learn that Allāh will put the heavens on one finger, the earths on one finger, the trees on one finger, the water and dust on one finger, and the rest of creation on one finger, then He will say: I am the King.' The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ smiled so broadly that his molars could be seen, in confirmation of what the rabbi had said. Then the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ recited:

Qur’an 39:67وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ

«They made not a just estimate of Allāh such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand»."^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:412.}

Al-Bukhāri also recorded this in other places of his Ṣaḥīḥ. It was also recorded by Imām Aḥmad and Muslim, and by At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasā'i in the (books of) Tafsīr in their Sunans.^{4Fatḥ Al-Bāri 13:404, Aḥmad 1:429, Muslim 2147, Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:112 - 113, An-Nasā'i in Al-Kubrā 6:446.}

Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "I heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ say:

«يَقْبِضُ اللهُ تَعَالَىٰ الْأَرْضَ، وَيَطْوِي السَّمَاءَ بِيَمِينِهِ، ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: أَنَا الْمَلِكُ، أَيْنَ مُلُوكُ الْأَرْضِ؟»

«Allāh will grasp the earth and roll up the heavens in His Right Hand, then He will say: "I am the King, where are the kings of the earth?"»^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:413.}

This version was recorded only by Al-Bukhāri; Muslim recorded another version.^{6Muslim 4:2148.}

Al-Bukhāri also recorded from Ibn 'Umar, may Allāh be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَقْبِضُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الْأَرْضِينَ عَلَى أُصْبُعٍ، وَتَكُونُ السَّمْوَاتُ بِيَمِينِهِ، ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: أَنَا الْمَلِكُ

«On the Day of Resurrection, Allāh, may He be blessed and exalted, will grasp the earth with one finger, and the heavens will be in His Right Hand, then He will say, "I am the King."»^{7Fatḥ Al-Bāri 13:404.}

This version was also recorded by Al-Bukhāri It is recorded that Ibn 'Umar, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ recited this Āyah on the Minbar one day:

Qur’an 39:67وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ مَطْوِيَّٰتٌۢ بِيَمِينِهِۦ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

«They made not a just estimate of Allāh such as is due to Him. On the Day of.Resurrection the whole earth will be grasped by His Hand and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified be He, and High be He above all that they associate as partners with Him!»

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said while moving his hand forward and backward:

Ḥadīthيُمَجِّدُ الرَّبُّ نَفْسَهُ: أَنَا الْجَبَّارُ، أَنَا الْمُتَكَبِّرُ، أَنَا الْمَلِكُ، أَنَا الْعَزِيزُ، أَنَا الْكَرِيمُ

«And the Lord will glorify Himself, saying "I am Compeller, I am the Proud, I am the King, I am the Mighty, I am the Most

Qur’an 39:68–74وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ وَأَشْرَقَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا وَوُضِعَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ وَجِا۟ىٓءَ بِٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءِ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ قِيلَ ٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَٰلِدِينَ وَقَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُۥ وَأَوْرَثَنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَآءُ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَٰمِلِينَ

Generous."»

And the Minbar shook so much that we feared that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ would fall."^{8Aḥmad 2:72.} This was also recorded by Muslim, An-Nasā'ī and Ibn Mājah.^{9Muslim 4 :2148, An-Nasā’ī in Al-Kubrā 4:400, Ibn Mājah 2:1429.}

Qur’an 39:68–70وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ وَأَشْرَقَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا وَوُضِعَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ وَجِا۟ىٓءَ بِٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءِ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ

«68. And the Trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth will swoon away, except him whom Allāh wills. Then it will be blown another time, and behold they will be standing, looking on.»

«69. And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord, and the Book will be presented, and the Prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward, and it will be judged between them with truth, and they will not be wronged.»

«70. And each person will be paid in full of what he did; and He is Best Aware of what they do.»

The Blast of the Trumpet, the Judgement and the Recompense

Allāh tells us about the terrors of the Day of Judgement, with its mighty signs and terrifying upheaval.

Qur’an 39:68وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ

«And the Trumpet will be blown and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth will swoon away, except him whom Allāh wills.»

This will be the second trumpet-blast, which will cause people to die. By this trumpet-blast, everyone who is alive in the heavens and on earth will be caused to die, except for him whom Allāh wills. Then the souls of the remaining creatures will be taken, until the last one to die will be the Angel of Death, and there will be left only the Ever Living, Eternal One, Who was there in the beginning and will be at the end, forever. He will say three times,

Qur’an 40:16لِّمَنِ ٱلْمُلْكُ ٱلْيَوْمَ

«"Whose is the kingdom this day?"», then He will answer Himself:

Qur’an 40:16لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ

«"It is Allāh's, the One, the Irresistible!"» (40:16).

'I am the One existing Alone, I subjugated all things and I decreed that all things must come to an end.' Then the first one to be brought back to life will be Isrāfīl, and Allāh will command him to sound the Trumpet again. This will be the third trumpet-blast, the trumpet-blast of Resurrection.^{1As explained earlier, the author has based his understanding of this point upon an unauthentic Ḥadīth. The majority understand these Āyāt and the authentic Ḥadīth to imply two blasts of the Ṣūr. Some of these narrations follow.} Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:68ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ

«Then it will be blown another time, and behold they will be standing, looking on» means, after they have been bones and dust, they will come alive, looking at the terrors of the Day of Resurrection. This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 79:13–14فَإِنَّمَا هِىَ زَجْرَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ فَإِذَا هُم بِٱلسَّاهِرَةِ

«But it will be only a single Zajrah,^{2See the Tafsīr of Sūrat Aṣ-Ṣāffāt [37:19].} when behold, they find themselves alive.» (79:13-14)

Qur’an 17:52يَوْمَ يَدْعُوكُمْ فَتَسْتَجِيبُونَ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَتَظُنُّونَ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

«On the Day when He will call you, and you will respond with His praise, and you will think that you have stayed (in this world) but a little while!» (17:52), and

Qur’an 30:25وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَن تَقُومَ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ ثُمَّ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ دَعْوَةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ إِذَآ أَنتُمْ تَخْرُجُونَ

«And among His signs is that the heaven and the earth stand by His command. Then afterwards when He will call you by a single call, behold, you will come out from the earth.» (30:25)

Imām Aḥmad recorded that a man said to 'Abdullāh bin 'Amr, may Allāh be pleased with him, "You say that the Hour will come at such and such time." He said, "I thought that I would not narrate to you anymore. All that I said was that after a little while you would see something of great importance." 'Abdullāh bin 'Amr, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

«يَخْرُجُ الدَّجَّالُ فِي أُمَّتِي فَيَمْكُثُ فِيهِمْ أَرْبَعِينَ

«The Dajjāl will emerge in my Ummah and he will stay among them for forty.»

I do not know whether he said forty days or forty months or forty years or forty nights.

Ḥadīthفَيَبْعَثُ الله تَعَالَى عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ، كَأَنَّهُ عُرْوَةُ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ الثَّقَفِيُّ، فَيَظْهَرُ فَيُهْلِكُهُ الله تَعَالَى، ثُمَّ يَلْبَثُ النَّاسُ بَعْدَهُ سِنِينَ سَبْعًا، لَيْسَ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ عَدَاوَةٌ، ثُمَّ يُرْسِلُ الله تَعَالَى رِيحًا بَارِدَةً مِنْ قِبَلِ الشَّامِ، فَلَا يَبْقَى أَحَدٌ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ إِيمَانٍ إِلَّا قَبَضَتْهُ، حَتَّى لَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ كَانَ فِي كَبِدِ جَبَلٍ لَدَخَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ

«Then Allāh will send 'Īsā bin Maryam, peace be upon him, who resembles 'Urwah bin Mas'ūd Ath-Thaqafi, and he will prevail. Allāh will destroy him (the Dajjāl), then after that mankind will live for seven years with no enmity between any two people. Then Allāh will send a cool wind from the direction of Ash-Shām, which will take the soul of every person who has even a speck of faith in his heart; even if one of them were to be inside the heart of a mountain, it would enter upon him.»"

He said, "I heard it from the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ:

«وَيَبْقَىٰ شِرَارُ النَّاسِ فِي خِفَّةِ الطَّيْرِ وَأَحْلَامِ السِّبَاعِ، لَا يَعْرِفُونَ مَعْرُوفًا، وَلَا يُنْكِرُونَ مُنْكَرًا، قال: فَيَتَمَثَّلُ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَيَقُولُ: أَلَا تَسْتَجِيبُونَ؟ فَيَأْمُرُهُمْ بِعِبَادَةِ الْأَوْثَانِ فَيَعْبُدُونَهَا، وَهُمْ فِي ذَلِكَ دَارَّةٌ أَرْزَاقُهُمْ، حَسَنٌ عَيْشُهُمْ، ثُمَّ يُنْفَخُ فِي الصُّورِ، فَلَا يَسْمَعُهُ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا أَصْغَىٰ لَهُ، وَأَوَّلُ مَنْ يَسْمَعُهُ، رَجُلٌ يَلُوطُ حَوْضَهُ فَيَصْعَقُ، ثُمَّ لَا يَبْقَىٰ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا صَعِقَ، ثُمَّ يُرْسِلُ اللهُ تَعَالَىٰ - أَوْ يُنْزِلُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ - مَطَرًا كَأَنَّهُ الطَّلُّ - أَوِ الظِّلُّ شك نعمان - فَتَنْبُتُ مِنْهُ أَجْسَادُ النَّاسِ، ثُمَّ يُنْفَخُ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنْظُرُونَ، ثُمَّ يُقَالُ: أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ هَلُمُّوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ

Qur’an 37:24وَقِفُوهُمْ إِنَّهُم مَّسْـُٔولُونَ

«There will be left the most evil of people, as light as birds and with the hard hearts of wild predators. They will not recognize any good or denounce any evil. Then Shayṭān will appear to them and say, "Will you not obey me?" Then he will command them to worship idols and they will worship them. At that time they will have ample provision and a good standard of living. Then the Trumpet will be blown, and no one will hear it but he will tilt his head to listen. The first one to hear it will be a man who is filling his water trough, and he will die when he hears it. Then there will be no one left who has not died. Then Allāh will send» – or – send down «rain like drizzle» – or – shade – An-Nu'mān [one of the narrators] was not sure of its wording «from which the bodies of the people will grow. Then the Trumpet will be blown once more, and they will be standing, looking on. Then it will be said, "O mankind, come to your Lord, «But stop them, verily, they are to be questioned» (37:24).

Then it will be said,

Ḥadīthأَخْرِجُوا بَعْثَ النَّارِ، قال: فَيُقَالُ: كَمْ؟ فَيُقَالُ: مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ تِسْعَمِائَةٍ وَتِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ، فَيَوْمَئِذٍ يُبْعَثُ الْوِلْدَانُ شِيبًا، وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يُكْشَفُ عَنْ سَاقٍ

«"Send forth the people of Hell." It will be said, "How many?" It will said, "From every thousand, nine hundred and ninety- nine." On that Day, children will be resurrected gray-haired, and on that Day the Shin will be laid bare.»"^{3Aḥmad 2:166.}

This was recorded by Muslim in his Ṣaḥīḥ.^{4Muslim 4:2257.} Al-Bukhāri recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said that the Prophet ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthمَا بَيْنَ النَّفْخَتَيْنِ أَرْبَعُونَ

«Between the two blasts, there will be only forty.»

They said, "O Abu Hurayrah, forty days?" He, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "I do not know." They said, "Forty years?" He said, "I do not know." They said, "Forty months?" He said, "I do not know."

Ḥadīthوَيَبْلَى كُلُّ شَيْءٍ مِنَ الْإِنْسَانِ إِلَّا عَجْبَ ذَنَبِهِ فِيهِ يُرَكَّبُ الْخَلْقُ

«Every part of a man will disinegrate apart from the root of his backbone, and out of that he will be created anew.»^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:414.}

Qur’an 39:69وَأَشْرَقَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا

«And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord,» means, it will shine brightly on the Day of Resurrection when the Truth (Allāh), may He be glorified and exalted, manifests Himself to His creation, to pass judgement.

Qur’an 39:69وَوُضِعَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ

«and the Book will be presented». Qatādah said, "The Book of deeds."^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:335.}

Qur’an 39:69وَجِا۟ىٓءَ بِٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ

«and the Prophets will be brought forward,» Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "They will bear witness against the nations, testifying that they conveyed the Message of Allāh to them."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :336.}

Qur’an 39:69وَٱلشُّهَدَآءِ

«and the witnesses» means, witnesses from among the angels who record the deeds of all, good and evil alike.

Qur’anوَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ

«and it will be judged between them with truth,»

means, with justice.

Qur’an 39:69وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

«and they will not be wronged.» Allāh says:

Qur’an 21:47وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَٰسِبِينَ

«And We shall setup Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We to take account.» (21:47)

Qur’an 4:40إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَٰعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِن لَّدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

«Surely, Allāh wrongs not even of the weight of a speck of dust, but if there is any good (done), He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward.» (4:40)

Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:70وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ

«And each person will be paid in full of what he did;»

meaning, of good and evil.

Qur’an 39:70وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ

«and He is Best Aware of what they do».

Qur’an 39:71وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ

Qur’an 39:71–72أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ قِيلَ ٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ

«71. And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups till when they reach it, the gates thereof will be opened. And its keepers will say: "Did not the Messengers come to you from yourselves, reciting to you the Āyāt of your Lord, and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say: "Yes," but the Word of torment has been justified against the disbelievers!»

«72. It will be said: "Enter you the gates of Hell, to abide therein. And what an evil abode of the arrogant!"»

How the Disbelievers will be driven to Hell Allāh tells us how the doomed disbeliever will be driven to Hell by force, with threats and warnings. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 52:13يَوْمَ يُدَعُّونَ إِلَىٰ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ دَعًّا

«The Day when they will be pushed down by force to the fire of Hell, with a horrible, forceful pushing.» (52:13)

which means, they will be pushed and forced towards it, and they will be extremely thirsty, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 19:85–86يَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَفْدًا وَنَسُوقُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وِرْدًا

«The Day We shall gather those who have Taqwā unto the Most Gracious, like a delegation. And We shall drive the criminals to Hell, in a thirsty state.» (19:85-86)

When they are in that state, they will be blind, dumb and deaf, and some of them will be walking on their faces:

Qur’an 17:97وَنَحْشُرُهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ عُمْيًا وَبُكْمًا وَصُمًّا مَّأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ كُلَّمَا خَبَتْ زِدْنَٰهُمْ سَعِيرًا

«and We shall gather them together on the Day of Resurrection on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf; their abode will be Hell; whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the fierceness of the Fire» (17:97).

Qur’an 39:71حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا

«till when they reach it, the gates thereof will be opened.» means, as soon as they arrive, the gates will be opened quickly, in order to hasten on their punishment. Then the keepers of Hell, who are stern angels, severe and strong, will say to them by way of rebuking and reprimanding:

Qur’an 39:71أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ

«Did not the Messengers come to you from yourselves,» meaning, 'of your own kind, so that you could have spoken to them and learned from them,'

Qur’an 39:71يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّكُمْ

«reciting to you the Āyāt of your Lord,» means, 'establishing proof against you that what they brought to you was true,'

Qur’an 39:71وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا

«and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?» means, 'warning you of the evil of this Day.' The disbeliever will say to them:

Qur’anبَلَىٰ

«Yes,» meaning, 'they did come to us and warn us and establish proof and evidence against us,'

Qur’an 39:71وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«but the Word of torment has been justified against the disbelievers!» means, 'but we rejected them and went against them, because we were already doomed, as it was decreed that we would be, because we had turned away from the truth towards falsehood.' This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 67:8–10كُلَّمَآ أُلْقِىَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَآءَنَا نَذِيرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَٰلٍ كَبِيرٍ وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِىٓ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ

«Every time a group is cast therein, its keeper will ask: "Did no warner come to you?" They will say: "Yes, indeed a warner came to us, but we denied him and said: 'Allāh never revealed anything; you are only in great error.'" And they will say: "Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we would not have been among the dwellers of the blazing Fire!"» (67:9-10) which means, they will feel regret and will blame themselves.

Qur’an 67:11فَٱعْتَرَفُوا۟ بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًا لِّأَصْحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ

«Then they will confess their sin. So, away with the dwellers of the blazing Fire!» (67:11) means, they are lost and doomed.

Qur’an 39:72قِيلَ ٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا

«It will be said (to them): "Enter you the gates of Hell, to abide therein..."» means everyone who sees them and the situation they are in, will testify that they deserve the punishment. These words are not attributed to any specific person, but they are said as an indication that the entire universe will bear witness that they deserve what they are suffering, in accordance with the judgement of the Most Just, the All-Knowing. Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:72قِيلَ ٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا

«It will be said (to them): "Enter you the gates of Hell, to abide therein..."» meaning, 'to stay there forever; you will never leave or depart.'

Qur’anفَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ

«And (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant!» means, 'what an evil destiny and what an evil place to stay, because of your arrogance in this world and your refusal to follow the truth; this is what has led you to this, what an evil state and what an evil final destination!'

Qur’an 39:73–74وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَٰلِدِينَ وَقَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُۥ وَأَوْرَثَنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَآءُ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَٰمِلِينَ

«73. And those who had Taqwā will be led to Paradise in groups till when they reach it, and its gates will be opened and its keepers will say: "Salām 'Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein forever."»

«74. And they will say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allāh Who has fulfilled His promise to us and has made us inherit the land. We can dwell in Paradise where we will; how excellent a reward for the workers!"»

The Believers will be taken to Paradise Here Allāh tells us about the blessed believers, who will be taken to Paradise in groups, one group after another, starting with the best of them: those who are closest to Allāh, then the most righteous, then the next best and the next best. Each group will be with others like them, Prophets with Prophets, the true believers with their peers, the martyrs with their counterparts, the scholars with their colleagues, every group composed of people of the same kind.

Qur’an 39:73حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ

«till when they reach it,» means, when they arrive at the gates of Paradise, after passing over the Ṣirāṭ, where they will be detained on a bridge between Paradise and Hell, and any injustices that existed between them in this world will be settled until they have all been purified from sin through this trial. Then permission will be granted for them to enter Paradise. It was recorded in the Ḥadīth about the Trumpet that when the believers reach the gates of Paradise, they will consult one another as to who should ask permission for them to enter. They will ask Ādam, then Nūh, then Ibrāhīm, then Mūsā, then 'Īsā, then Muḥammad ﷺ (may blessings and peace be upon them all). This is akin to what will happen in the arena of judgement, when they will ask for someone to intercede for them with Allāh when He comes to pass judgement. This is to show the noble position of Muḥammad ﷺ above the rest of mankind in all situations. In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, it is reported that Anas, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthأَنَا أَوَّلُ شَفِيعٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ

«I will be the first intercessor in Paradise.»^{1Muslim 1:188.} According to the wording of Muslim:

Ḥadīthوَأَنَا أَوَّلُ مَنْ يَقْرَعُ بَابَ الْجَنَّةِ

«I will be the first one to knock at the gates of Paradise.»^{2Muslim 1:188.} Imām Aḥmad recorded that Anas bin Mālik, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthآتِي بَابَ الْجَنَّةِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَأَسْتَفْتِحُ فَيَقُولُ الْخَازِنُ: مَنْ أَنْتَ؟ فَأَقُولُ: مُحَمَّدٌ - قَالَ: - فَيَقُولُ: بِكَ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ لَا أَفْتَحَ لِأَحَدٍ قَبْلَكَ

«I will come to the gate of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection and will ask for it to be opened. The gatekeeper will say, "Who are you?" I will say "Muḥammad." He will say, "I was told about you and that I was not to open the gate for anyone before you."»"^{3Aḥmad 2:163.} It was also recorded by Muslim.^{4Muslim 1:188.} Imām Aḥmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthأَوَّلُ زُمْرَةٍ تَلِجُ الْجَنَّةَ، صُوَرُهُمْ عَلَىٰ صُورَةِ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ، لَا يَبْصُقُونَ فِيهَا، وَلَا يَمْتَخِطُونَ فِيهَا، وَلَا يَتَغَوَّطُونَ فِيهَا، آنِيَتُهُمْ وَأَمْشَاطُهُمُ الذَّهَبُ وَالْفِضَّةُ، وَمَجَامِرُهُمُ الْأَلُوَّةُ وَرَشْحُهُمُ الْمِسْكُ، وَلِكُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ زَوْجَتَانِ، يُرَى مُخُّ سَاقِهِمَا مِنْ وَرَاءِ اللَّحْمِ مِنَ الْحُسْنِ، لَا اخْتِلَافَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَلَا تَبَاغُضَ، قُلُوبُهُمْ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِ وَاحِدٍ، يُسَبِّحُونَ الله تَعَالَىٰ بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا

«The first group to enter Paradise will enter looking like the moon on the night when it is full. They will not spit there, or blow their noses, or defecate. Their vessels and combs will be of gold and silver, their censers will be of aloeswood and their sweat will be musk. Each of them will have two wives, the marrow of whose shin bones will be visible from beneath the skin because of their beauty. There will be no disputes between them and there will be no hatred; their hearts will be as if one heart. They will glorify Allāh morning and evening.»"^{5Aḥmad 2:316.} This was also recorded by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim.^{6Fatḥ Al-Bāri 6:367, Muslim 4:2180.} Al-Ḥāfiẓ Abu Ya'lā recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthأَوَّلُ زُمْرَةٍ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَىٰ صُورَةِ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ، وَالَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ عَلَىٰ ضَوْءِ أَشَدِّ كَوْكَبٍ دُرِّيٍّ فِي السَّمَاءِ إِضَاءَةً، لَا يَبُولُونَ، وَلَا يَتَغَوَّطُونَ، وَلَا يَتْفِلُونَ، وَلَا يَمْتَخِطُونَ، أَمْشَاطُهُمُ الذَّهَبُ، وَرَشْحُهُمُ الْمِسْكُ، وَمَجَامِرُهُمُ الْأَلُوَّةُ، وَأَزْوَاجُهُمُ الْحُورُ الْعِينُ، أَخْلَاقُهُمْ عَلَىٰ خُلُقِ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ، عَلَىٰ صُورَةِ أَبِيهِمْ آدَمَ، سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعًا فِي السَّمَاءِ

«The first group to enter Paradise will look like the moon on the night when it is full. They will be followed by a group which looks like the brightest star shining in the sky. They will not urinate or defecate or spit or blow their noses. Their combs will be of gold, their sweat will be musk and their censers will be of aloeswood. Their wives will be Al-Ḥūr Al-'Īyn, and they will all look the same, as if they are one person in the image of their father Ādam, sixty cubits tall.»"^{7Abu Ya'lā 10:470.} They [Al-Bukhāri and Muslim] also produced this from the Ḥadīth of Jābir.^{8Fatḥ Al-Bāri 4:417, Muslim 4:2179.} It was reported that Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthيَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي زُمْرَةٌ، هُمْ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا، تُضِيءُ وُجُوهُهُمْ إِضَاءَةَ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ

«A group of my Ummah, seventy thousand, will enter Paradise with their faces shining like the moon on the night when it is full.» 'Ukkāshah bin Miḥṣan stood up and said, 'O Messenger of Allāh, pray to Allāh to make me one of them.' He said,

Ḥadīthاللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ مِنْهُمْ

«O Allāh, make him one of them.» Then one of the Anṣār stood up and said, 'O Messenger of Allāh, pray to Allāh to make me one of them.' He said,

Ḥadīthسَبَقَكَ بِهَا عُكَّاشَةُ

«Ukkāshah has beaten you to it.»" This was recorded by (Al-Bukhāri and Muslim).^{9Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:413, Muslim 1:197.} This Ḥadīth - about the seventy thousand who will enter Paradise without being brought to account - was also recorded by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim from Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, Jābir bin 'Abdullāh, 'Imrān bin Ḥuṣayn, Ibn Mas'ūd, Rifā'ah bin 'Arābah Al-Juhani and Umm Qays bint Miḥṣan - may Allāh be pleased with them all - and also from Abu Ḥāzim from Sahl bin Sa'd, may Allāh be pleased with them, who said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthلَيَدْخُلَنَّ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا - أَوْ سَبْعُمِائَةِ أَلْفٍ - آخِذٌ بَعْضُهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ، حَتَّى يَدْخُلَ أَوَّلُهُمْ وَآخِرُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ، وُجُوهُهُمْ عَلَىٰ صُورَةِ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ

«Seventy thousand or seven hundred thousand of my Ummah will surely enter Paradise, holding on to one another, such that the first and last of them will enter Paradise together, with their faces looking like the moon on the night when it is full.»"^{10Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:414, Muslim 1:197.}

Qur’an 39:73حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَٰلِدِينَ

«till when they reach it, and its gates will be opened and its keepers will say: "Salām 'Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein forever."» This is a conditional sentence that is not complete. What it implies is that when they come to the gates of Paradise the gates will be opened for them as a sign of honor, and the angelic gatekeepers will meet them with glad tidings, greetings of peace and praise. Unlike the gatekeepers of Hell who will meet the disbelievers with rebuke and reprimand, the believers will be filled with happiness and joy, each according to his degree of luxury and delights. What happens after this is not mentioned; it is left for the imagination to think of its dearest wishes and be filled with hope. It is known from the Ṣaḥīḥ Ḥadīths that Paradise has eight gates. Imām Aḥmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthمَنْ أَنْفَقَ زَوْجَيْنِ مِنْ مَالِهِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ تَعَالَىٰ دُعِيَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ، وَلِلْجَنَّةِ أَبْوَابٌ، فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّلَاةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الصَّلَاةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّدَقَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الصَّدَقَةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجِهَادِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الْجِهَادِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصِّيَامِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الرَّيَّانِ

«Whoever spends a pair of something from his wealth for the sake of Allāh, will be called from the gates of Paradise. Paradise has (several) gates. Whoever is among the people of prayer, will be called from the gate of Prayer; whoever is among the people of charity, will be called from the gate of Charity; whoever is among the people of Jihād, will be called from the gate of Jihād; whoever is among the people of fasting, will be called from the Gate of Ar-Rayyān.»" Abu Bakr said, 'O Messenger of Allāh, it does not matter from which gate one is called, but will anyone be called from all of them?' He ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthنَعَمْ، وَأَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ

«Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them.»"^{11Aḥmad 2:268.} Something similar was also recorded by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim.^{12Fatḥ Al-Bāri 4:133, Muslim 2:711.} It was reported from Sahl bin Sa'd, may Allāh be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَبْوَابٍ، بَابٌ مِنْهَا يُسَمَّى الرَّيَّانَ، لَا يَدْخُلُهُ إِلَّا الصَّائِمُونَ

«In Paradise there are eight gates; one of them is called Ar-Rayyān, and no one will enter it except those who fast.»"^{13Fatḥ Al-Bāri 6:378, Muslim 2:808.} In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, it is recorded that 'Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthمَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُبْلِغُ - أَوْ فَيُسْبِغُ - الْوُضُوءَ، ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، إِلَّا فُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ الثَّمَانِيَةُ، يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أَيِّهَا شَاءَ

«There is no one among you who performs Wuḍū' and does it well, or - amply -, then he says: "I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh and that Muḥammad is His servant and Messenger," but the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he will enter through whichever one he wishes.»"^{14Muslim 1:209.}

The Width of the Gates of Paradise

We ask Allāh to make us among its people. In the Two Ṣaḥīḥs, it is reported from Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, in the lengthy Ḥadīth about intercession (that the Prophet ﷺ said):

Ḥadīthفَيَقُولُ اللهُ تَعَالَىٰ: يَا مُحَمَّدُ، أَدْخِلْ مَنْ لَا حِسَابَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ مِنَ الْبَابِ الْأَيْمَنِ، وَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ النَّاسِ فِي الْأَبْوَابِ الْأُخَرِ، وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ! إِنَّ مَا بَيْنَ الْمِصْرَاعَيْنِ مِنْ مَصَارِيعِ الْجَنَّةِ - مَا بَيْنَ عِضَادَتَيِ الْبَابِ - لَكَمَا بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَهَجَرٍ - أَوْ هَجَرِ وَمَكَّةَ - وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ - مَكَّةَ وَبُصْرَىٰ

«Allāh will say: "O Muḥammad, admit those of your Ummah who are not to be brought to account, through the right-hand gate, and they will be counted among those who will enter from other gates as well." By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muḥammad, the distance between the two gateposts of the gates of Paradise is like the distance between Makkah and Hajar - or Hajar and Makkah.»"

According to another report: «between Makkah and Buṣra.»^{15Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:247, Muslim 1:184.}

It was recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim from 'Utbah bin Ghazwān that (the Prophet ﷺ) gave them a speech in which he told them that the distance between the two gateposts of Paradise was the distance of a forty-year journey, but there would come a day when they would be packed with crowds of people.^{16Muslim 4:2278.} Allāh says,

Qur’an 39:73وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ

«and its keepers will say: "Salām 'Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well,"» meaning, 'your deeds and words were good, and your efforts were good, and your reward is good.' The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ issued commands during some of his military campaigns that it should be shouted out to the Muslims:

Ḥadīthإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ لَا يَدْخُلُهَا إِلَّا نَفْسٌ مُسْلِمَةٌ - وفي رواية - مُؤْمِنَةٌ

«No one enters Paradise except a Muslim soul» or, according to one report, «A believing soul.»"^{17Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:385.} Allāh says,

Qur’an 39:73فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَٰلِدِينَ

«so enter here to abide therein forever.» means, to dwell therein, never seeking any change.

Qur’an 39:74وَقَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُۥ

«And they will say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allāh Who has fulfilled His promise to us..."» means, when the believers see the great reward and splendors, blessing and grand generosity, they will say,

Qur’an 39:74ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُۥ

«All the praises and thanks be to Allāh Who has fulfilled His promise to us» meaning, 'the promise which He made to us through His Messengers who called us to this in the world.'

Qur’an 3:194رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ

«Our Lord! Grant us what You promised unto us through Your Messengers and disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection, for You never break (Your) promise»(3:194),

Qur’an 7:43وَقَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى هَدَىٰنَا لِهَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِىَ لَوْلَآ أَنْ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ لَقَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ

«and they will say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allāh, Who has guided us to this, and never could we have found guidance, were it not that Allāh had guided us! Indeed, the Messengers of our Lord came with the truth."» (7:43), and

Qur’an 35:34–35وَقَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَذْهَبَ عَنَّا ٱلْحَزَنَ إِنَّ رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحَلَّنَا دَارَ ٱلْمُقَامَةِ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ لَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا لُغُوبٌ

«And they will say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allāh Who has removed from us (all) grief. Verily, our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds). Who, out of His grace, has lodged us in a home that will last forever, where toil will touch us not nor weariness will touch us."» (35:34-35)

Qur’an 39:74وَأَوْرَثَنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَآءُ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَٰمِلِينَ

«and has made us inherit (this) land. We can dwell in Paradise where we will; how excellent a reward for the (pious) workers!» Abu Al-Āliyah, Abu Ṣāliḥ, Qatādah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said, "This means the land of Paradise."^{18Al-Qurṭubi 15:287.} This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 21:105وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِى ٱلزَّبُورِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلذِّكْرِ أَنَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِىَ ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ

«And indeed We have written in Az-Zabūr after Adh-Dhikr that My righteous servants shall inherit the land.»^{19See volume six, the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Anbiyā' (21:105).} (21:105) they will say:

Qur’an 39:74نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَآءُ

«We can dwell in Paradise where we will» meaning, 'wherever we want, we can settle; how excellent a reward for our efforts.'

Arabic quotation as printed; not matched to Tanzil, so not shown as the Qur’anوَتَرَى ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ حَآفِّينَ مِنْ حَوْلِ ٱلْعَرْشِ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ حمٓ تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ غَافِرِ ٱلذَّنۢبِ وَقَابِلِ ٱلتَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ ٱلْعِقَابِ ذِى ٱلطَّوْلِ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ إِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ مَا يُجَٰدِلُ فِىٓ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَلَا يَغْرُرْكَ تَقَلُّبُهُمْ فِى ٱلْبِلَٰدِ كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ وَهَمَّتْ كُلُّ أُمَّةٍۭ بِرَسُولِهِمْ لِيَأْخُذُوهُ وَجَٰدَلُوا۟ بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ لِيُدْحِضُوا۟ بِهِ ٱلْحَقَّ فَأَخَذْتُهُمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ وَكَذَٰلِكَ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ ٱلْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَٱغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ

In the Two Ṣaḥīḥs, it was reported in the story of the Mi'rāj which was narrated by Anas bin Mālik, may Allāh be pleased with him, that the Prophet ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthأُدْخِلْتُ الْجَنَّةَ، فَإِذَا فِيهَا جَنَابِذُ اللُّؤْلُؤِ، وَإِذَا تُرَابُهَا الْمِسْكُ

«I was admitted into Paradise where I saw that its domes were pearls and its soil was musk.»"^{20Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:547, Muslim 1:148.}

Qur’an 39:75وَتَرَى ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ حَآفِّينَ مِنْ حَوْلِ ٱلْعَرْشِ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«75. And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne from all round, glorifying the praises of their Lord. And they will be judged with truth. And it will be said, "All the praises and thanks be to Allāh, the Lord of all that exits."»

Allāh tells us how He will pass judgement on the people of Paradise and Hell, and put each of them in the place fitting for him and for which he is suited; this is justice from Him and He is never unjust. Then He tells us of His angels who surround His majestic Throne, glorifying the praises of their Lord, extolling and magnifying Him, and declaring Him to be above any shortcomings or injustice whatsoever, for He has passed judgement in the fairest and most just manner. He says:

Qur’anوَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم

«And they will be judged» meaning, all of creation.

Qur’anبِٱلْحَقِّ

«with truth.» Then He says:

Qur’an 39:75وَقِيلَ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«And it will be said, "All the praises and thanks be to Allāh, the Lord of all that exits."» meaning, all of creation, whether animate or inanimate, will speak words of praise to Allāh, the Lord of all that exists, for His wisdom and justice. These words are not attributed to any specific speaker, which indicates that the whole of creation will testify to His praise. Qatādah said, "Allāh began His creation with praise, as He said,

Qur’an 6:1ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ

«All praises and thanks be to Allāh, Who created the heavens and the earth» (6:1). and He ended it with praise, as He says:

Qur’an 39:75وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«And they will be judged with truth. And it will be said, "All the praises and thanks be to Allāh, the Lord of all that exits."»."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:344.}