The Tafsīr of Sūrat Az-Zukhruf (Chapter - 43)

Which was revealed in Makkah

Qur’anبِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 43:1–8حمٓ وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَٰهُ قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ وَإِنَّهُۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَدَيْنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ أَفَنَضْرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَ صَفْحًا أَن كُنتُمْ قَوْمًا مُّسْرِفِينَ وَكَمْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ فِى ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ فَأَهْلَكْنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

«1. Ḥā Mīm.» «2. By the manifest Book.» «3. Verily, We have made it a Qur'ān in Arabic that you may be able to understand.» «4. And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.» «5. Shall We then take away the Reminder from you, because you are a people excessive.» «6. And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.» «7. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.» «8. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.»

Qur’anحمٓ وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ

﴿Ḥa-Mīm. By the manifest Book.» means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the language of the Arabs, which is the most eloquent language for communication among people. Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:3إِنَّا جَعَلْنَٰهُ

«Verily, We have made it» meaning, revealed it,

Qur’an 43:3قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا

«a Qur'ān in Arabic» meaning, in the language of the Arabs, eloquent and clear;

Qur’an 43:3لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

«that you may be able to understand.» means, that you may understand it and ponder its meanings. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 26:195بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ مُّبِينٍ

«In the plain Arabic language.» (26:195)

Qur’an 43:4وَإِنَّهُۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَدَيْنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ

«And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.»

This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it.

Qur’anوَإِنَّهُۥ

«And verily, it» means, the Qur'ān,

Qur’an 43:4فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ

«is in the Mother of the Book» meaning, Al-Lawḥ Al-Maḥfūẓ (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn ʻAbbās and Mujāhid.^{1Ar-Rāzi, 27:167.}

Qur’an 43:4لَدَيْنَا

«with Us,» means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatādah and others.^{2Al-Baghawi 4:133.}

Qur’an 43:4لَعَلِىٌّ

«indeed exalted» means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatādah.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:567.}

Qur’anحَكِيمٌ

«full of wisdom.» means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allāh says elsewhere:

Qur’an 56:77–80إِنَّهُۥ لَقُرْءَانٌ كَرِيمٌ فِى كِتَٰبٍ مَّكْنُونٍ لَّا يَمَسُّهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْمُطَهَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.» (56:77-80)

Qur’an 80:11–16كَلَّآ إِنَّهَا تَذْكِرَةٌ فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُۥ فِى صُحُفٍ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ مَّرْفُوعَةٍ مُّطَهَّرَةٍۭ بِأَيْدِى سَفَرَةٍ كِرَامٍۭ بَرَرَةٍ

«Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.» (80:11-16)

Qur’an 43:5أَفَنَضْرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَ صَفْحًا أَن كُنتُمْ قَوْمًا مُّسْرِفِينَ

«Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'ān) from you, because you are a people excessive.»

means, 'do you think that We will forgive you and not punish you, when you do not do as you have been commanded?' This was the view of Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, Abu Ṣāliḥ, Mujāhid and As-Suddi, and was the view favored by Ibn Jarīr.^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:567, 568.}

Qur’an 43:5أَفَنَضْرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَ صَفْحًا

«Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'ān) from you,»

Qatādah said, "By Allāh, if this Qur'ān had been taken away when the first generations of this Ummah rejected it, they would have been doomed, but Allāh by His mercy persisted in sending it and calling them to it for twenty years, or for as long as He willed."^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:568.} What Qatādah said is very good, and his point is that Allāh, by His grace and mercy towards His creation, did not stop calling them to the truth and to the wise Reminder, i.e., the Qur'ān, even though they were heedless and turned away from it. Indeed, He sent it so that those who were decreed to be guided might be guided by it, and so that proof might be established against those who were decreed to be.

Consolation to the Prophet ﷺ for the Disbelief of Quraysh

Then Allāh consoles His Prophet ﷺ for the disbelief of his people, and commands him to bear it with patience.

Qur’an 43:6وَكَمْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ فِى ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

«And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.»

meaning, among the sects (communities) of old.

Qur’an 43:7وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

«And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.»

means, they disbelieved him and mock at him.

Qur’an 43:8فَأَهْلَكْنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًا

«Then We destroyed men stronger than these» means, 'We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than these who disbelieve in you, O Muḥammad.' This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 40:82أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ كَانُوٓا۟ أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً

«Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them? They were more in number than them and mightier in strength» (40:82).

And there are many similar Āyāt.

Qur’an 43:8وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

«and the example of the ancients has passed away.»

Mujāhid said, "The way of their life."^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :571.} Qatādah said, "Their

Qur’an 43:11–22وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۢ بِقَدَرٍ فَأَنشَرْنَا بِهِۦ بَلْدَةً مَّيْتًا كَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْأَزْوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْفُلْكِ وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ مَا تَرْكَبُونَ لِتَسْتَوُۥا۟ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا ٱسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا۟ سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُۥ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ وَجَعَلُوا۟ لَهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزْءًا إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ مُّبِينٌ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ بَنَاتٍ وَأَصْفَىٰكُم بِٱلْبَنِينَ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ مَثَلًا ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُۥ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُا۟ فِى ٱلْحِلْيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْخِصَامِ غَيْرُ مُبِينٍ وَجَعَلُوا۟ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عِبَٰدُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ إِنَٰثًا أَشَهِدُوا۟ خَلْقَهُمْ سَتُكْتَبُ شَهَٰدَتُهُمْ وَيُسْـَٔلُونَ وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ مَا عَبَدْنَٰهُم مَّا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ أَمْ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ كِتَٰبًا مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسْتَمْسِكُونَ بَلْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّهْتَدُونَ

punishment."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :571.} Others said, "Their lesson," i.e., 'We made them a lesson for those disbelievers who came after them, that they would suffer the same end as them,' as in the Āyah at the end of this Sūrah:

Qur’an 43:56فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمْ سَلَفًا وَمَثَلًا لِّلْـَٔاخِرِينَ

«And We made them a precedent, and an exam- ple to later generations.» (43:56);

Qur’an 40:85سُنَّتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى قَدْ خَلَتْ فِى عِبَادِهِۦ

«this has been the way of Allāh in dealing with His servants» (40:85).

Qur’anوَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ ٱللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا

«and you will not find any change in the way of Allāh.» (33:62)

Qur’an 43:9–14وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا سُبُلًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۢ بِقَدَرٍ فَأَنشَرْنَا بِهِۦ بَلْدَةً مَّيْتًا كَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْأَزْوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْفُلْكِ وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ مَا تَرْكَبُونَ لِتَسْتَوُۥا۟ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا ٱسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا۟ سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُۥ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

«9. And indeed if you ask them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth?" They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them."»

«10. Who has made for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein, in order that you may find your way.»

«11. And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure, then We revive a dead land therewith, and even so you will be brought forth.»

«12. And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride,»

«13. In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the favor of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it."»

«14. And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!"»

The Idolators' admission that Allāh is the Sole Creator, and Further Evidence of that

Allāh says: 'If you, O Muḥammad, were to ask these idolators who associate others with Allāh and worship others besides Him,'

Qur’an 43:9مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

«"Who has created the heavens and the earth?" They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them."»

In other words, they will admit that the Creator of all that is Allāh Alone, with no partner or associate, yet they still worship others - idols and false gods - alongside Him.

Qur’an 43:10ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا

«Who has made for you the earth like a bed,» means, smooth, stable and firm, so that you can travel about in it, and stand on it and sleep and walk about, even though it is created above water, but He has strengthened it with the mountains, lest it should shake.

Qur’an 43:10وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا سُبُلًا

«and has made for you roads therein,» means, paths between the mountains and the valleys.

Qur’an 43:10لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

«in order that you may find your way.» means, in your journeys from city to city, region to region, land to land.

Qur’an 43:11وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۢ بِقَدَرٍ

«And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure,» means, according to what is sufficient for your crops, fruits and drinking water for yourselves and your cattle.

Qur’an 43:11فَأَنشَرْنَا بِهِۦ بَلْدَةً مَّيْتًا

«then We revive a dead land therewith,» means, a barren land, for when the water comes to it, it is stirred (to life), and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth). By referring to the revival of the earth, Allāh draws attention to how He will bring bodies back to life on the Day of Resurrection, after they have been dead.

Qur’an 43:11كَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ

«and even so you will be brought forth.»

Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:12وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْأَزْوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا

«And Who has created all the pairs» meaning, of everything that grows in the earth, all kinds of plants, crops, fruits, flowers, etc., and all different kinds of animals.

Qur’an 43:12وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْفُلْكِ

«and has appointed for you ships» or vessels,

Qur’an 43:12وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ مَا تَرْكَبُونَ

«and cattle on which you ride.» means, He has subjugated them to you and made it easy for you to eat their meat, drink their milk and ride on their backs. Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:13لِتَسْتَوُۥا۟ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

«In order that you may mount on their backs,» meaning, sit comfortably and securely,

Qur’an 43:13عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

«on their backs» means, on the backs of these kinds of animals.

Qur’an 43:13ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ

«and then may remember the favor of your Lord» means, whereby these animals are subjugated to you.

Qur’an 43:13إِذَا ٱسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا۟ سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُۥ مُقْرِنِينَ

«when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it."»

means, if it were not for the fact that Allāh has subjugated these things to us, we could never have done this by our own strength.' Ibn 'Abbās, Qatādah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said: "We could not have done this ourselves."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:576, 577.}

Qur’an 43:14وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

«And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return.»

means, 'We will return to Him after our death, and our ultimate destination is with Him.' In this Āyah, mention of earthly journeys draws attention to the journey of the Hereafter, just as elsewhere, mention of earthly provision draws attention to the importance of ensuring provision for the Hereafter, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 2:197وَتَزَوَّدُوا۟ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ

«And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the Taqwā» (2:197).

And mention of earthly garments is also used to draw attention to the raiment of the Hereafter:

Qur’an 7:26وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ

«and as an adornment; and the raiment of the Taqwā, that is better» (7:26).

Qur’an 43:15–19وَجَعَلُوا۟ لَهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزْءًا إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ مُّبِينٌ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ بَنَاتٍ وَأَصْفَىٰكُم بِٱلْبَنِينَ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ مَثَلًا ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُۥ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُا۟ فِى ٱلْحِلْيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْخِصَامِ غَيْرُ مُبِينٍ وَجَعَلُوا۟ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ

Qur’an 43:19–20هُمْ عِبَٰدُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ إِنَٰثًا أَشَهِدُوا۟ خَلْقَهُمْ سَتُكْتَبُ شَهَٰدَتُهُمْ وَيُسْـَٔلُونَ وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ مَا عَبَدْنَٰهُم مَّا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ

«15. Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!»

«16. Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons?»

«17. And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!»

«18. A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear?»

«19. And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned!»

«20. And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious, we should not have worshipped them." They have no knowledge whatsoever of that. They do nothing but lie!»

Condemnation of the Idolators' attribution of Offspring to Allāh

Here Allāh speaks of the lies and fabrications of the idolators, when they devoted some of their cattle to their false gods and some to Allāh, as He described in Sūrat Al-An'ām where He said:

Qur’an 6:136وَجَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ مِمَّا ذَرَأَ مِنَ ٱلْحَرْثِ وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ نَصِيبًا فَقَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا لِلَّهِ بِزَعْمِهِمْ وَهَٰذَا لِشُرَكَآئِنَا فَمَا كَانَ لِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ فَلَا يَصِلُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ يَصِلُ إِلَىٰ شُرَكَآئِهِمْ سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

«And they assign to Allāh share of the tilth and cattle which He has created, and they say: "This is for Allāh" according to their claim, "and this is for our partners." But the share of their partners reaches not Allāh, while the share of Allāh reaches their partners! Evil is the way they judge!» (6:136).

Similarly, out of the two kinds of offspring, sons and daughters, they assigned to Him the worst and least valuable (in their eyes), i.e., daughters, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 53:21–22أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ تِلْكَ إِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيزَىٰٓ

«Is it for you the males and for Him the females? That indeed is a division most unfair!» (53:21-22)

And Allāh says here:

Qur’an 43:15وَجَعَلُوا۟ لَهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزْءًا إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ مُّبِينٌ

«Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!» Then He says:

Qur’an 43:16أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ بَنَاتٍ وَأَصْفَىٰكُم بِٱلْبَنِينَ

«Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons?»

This is a denunciation of them in the strongest terms, as He goes on to say:

Qur’an 43:17وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ مَثَلًا ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُۥ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ

«And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!»

means, if one of these people is given the news that there has been born to him one of those which he attributes to Allāh, i.e., a daughter, he hates this news and it depresses and overwhelms him so much that he keeps away from people because he feels so ashamed. Allāh says, so how can they dislike that so much and yet they attribute it to Allāh?

Qur’an 43:18أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُا۟ فِى ٱلْحِلْيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْخِصَامِ غَيْرُ مُبِينٍ

«A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear?»

means, women are regarded as lacking something, which they make up for with jewelry and adornments from the time of childhood onwards, and when there is a dispute, they cannot speak up and defend themselves clearly, so how can this be attributed to Allāh?

Qur’an 43:19وَجَعَلُوا۟ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عِبَٰدُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ إِنَٰثًا

«And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious.» means, that is what they believe about them, but Allāh denounces them for that and says:

Qur’an 43:19أَشَهِدُوا۟ خَلْقَهُمْ

«Did they witness their creation?» meaning, did they see Allāh creating them as females?

Qur’an 43:19سَتُكْتَبُ شَهَٰدَتُهُمْ

«Their testimony will be recorded,» means, concerning that,

Qur’an 43:19وَيُسْـَٔلُونَ

«and they will be questioned!» means, about that, on the Day of Resurrection. This is a stern warning and a serious threat.

Qur’an 43:20وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ مَا عَبَدْنَٰهُم

«And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious, we should not have worshipped them."»

means, (they said:) 'if Allāh had willed, He would have prevented us from worshipping these idols which are images of the angels who are the daughters of Allāh; He knows about this and He approves of it.'

By saying this, they combined several types of error: First: They attributed offspring to Allāh - exalted and sanctified be He far above that. Second: They claimed that He chose daughters rather than sons, and they made the angels, who are the servants of the Most Gracious, female. Third: They worshipped them with no proof, evidence or permission from Allāh. This was based on mere opinion, whims and desires, imitation of their elders and forefathers, and pure ignorance. They used Allāh's decree as an excuse, and this reasoning betrayed their ignorance. Fourth: Allāh denounced them for this in the strongest terms, for from the time He first sent Messengers and revealed Books, the command was to worship Him Alone with no partner or associate, and it was forbidden to worship anything other than Him. Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:36وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ ٱلضَّلَٰلَةُ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ

Qur’an 43:23–33وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِى قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّقْتَدُونَ قَٰلَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكُم بِأَهْدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمْ عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ فَٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦٓ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُۥ سَيَهْدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةًۢ بَاقِيَةً فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ بَلْ مَتَّعْتُ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ مُّبِينٌ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنَ ٱلْقَرْيَتَيْنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمْ يَقْسِمُونَ رَحْمَتَ رَبِّكَ نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَٰتٍ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ وَلَوْلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً لَّجَعَلْنَا لِمَن يَكْفُرُ بِٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ لِبُيُوتِهِمْ سُقُفًا مِّن فِضَّةٍ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيْهَا يَظْهَرُونَ

«And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allāh, and avoid all false deities." Then of them were some whom Allāh guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied.» (16:36)

Qur’an 43:45وَسْـَٔلْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلْنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ءَالِهَةً يُعْبَدُونَ

«And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious?"» (43:45)

And Allāh says in this Āyah, after mentioning this argument of theirs:

Qur’an 43:20مَّا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ

«They have no knowledge whatsoever of that.» meaning, of the truth of what they say and the arguments they put forward.

Qur’an 43:20إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ

«They do nothing but lie!» means, they tell lies and fabricate untruths.

Qur’an 43:20مَّا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ

«They have no knowledge whatsoever of that. They do nothing but lie!» Mujāhid said, "They do not appreciate the power of Allāh."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:583.}

Qur’an 43:21–25أَمْ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ كِتَٰبًا مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسْتَمْسِكُونَ بَلْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّهْتَدُونَ وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِى قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّقْتَدُونَ قَٰلَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكُم بِأَهْدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمْ عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ فَٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«21. Or have We given them any Book before this (the Qur'ān) to which they are holding fast?»

«22. Nay! They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps."»

«23. And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps."»

«24. He said: "Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following?" They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent."»

«25. So We took revenge on them, then see what was the end of those who denied.»

The Idolators have no Proof

Allāh condemns the idolators for worshipping others instead of Allāh with no evidence or proof for doing so.

Qur’an 43:21أَمْ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ كِتَٰبًا مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ

«Or have We given them any Book before this» means, before their idolatry.

Qur’an 43:21فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسْتَمْسِكُونَ

«to which they are holding fast?» means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 30:35أَمْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَٰنًا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يُشْرِكُونَ

«Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him?» (30:35)

meaning, that did not happen. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:22بَلْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّهْتَدُونَ

«Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps."»

meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allāh says:

Qur’an 21:92إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً

«And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion» (23:52), and they said;

Qur’anوَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم

«and we by their footsteps» means, behind them

Qur’anمُّهْتَدُونَ

«We guide ourselves» This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allāh points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

Qur’an 51:52–53كَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُوا۟ سَاحِرٌ أَوْ مَجْنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِهِۦ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ طَاغُونَ

«Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!" Have they transmitted this saying to these? Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!» (51:52-53)

And Allāh says here:

Qur’an 43:23وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِى قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّقْتَدُونَ

Qur’an 43:34–47وَلِبُيُوتِهِمْ أَبْوَٰبًا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيْهَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخْرُفًا وَإِن كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ وَمَن يَعْشُ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُۥ شَيْطَٰنًا فَهُوَ لَهُۥ قَرِينٌ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَٰلَيْتَ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكَ بُعْدَ ٱلْمَشْرِقَيْنِ فَبِئْسَ ٱلْقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ إِذ ظَّلَمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ مُشْتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوْ تَهْدِى ٱلْعُمْىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ فَإِمَّا نَذْهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنْهُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوْ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدْنَٰهُمْ فَإِنَّا عَلَيْهِم مُّقْتَدِرُونَ فَٱسْتَمْسِكْ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْـَٔلُونَ وَسْـَٔلْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلْنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ءَالِهَةً يُعْبَدُونَ وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنْهَا يَضْحَكُونَ

«And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps."» Then He says:

قُلْ

«Say» - 'O Muḥammad, to these idolators -' ^{1In the recitation of Ḥafṣ and Ibn 'Āmir, it is "He said" as appears in the common copy of Qur'ān. The majority of the scholars of the past recited it as Ibn Kathīr mentioned it here, with the meaning "Say:" See the Tafsīr of Al-Baghawi, Aṭ-Ṭabari, Al-Wāḥidi, Ibn 'Aṭiyah etc.}

Qur’an 43:24أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكُم بِأَهْدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمْ عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ

«"Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following?" They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent."» 'Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

Qur’anفَٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ

«So We took revenge on them» means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allāh has described in the stories of those nations.

Qur’an 43:25فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«then see what was the end of those who denied» means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allāh saved the believers.

Qur’an 43:26–35وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦٓ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُۥ سَيَهْدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةًۢ بَاقِيَةً فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ بَلْ مَتَّعْتُ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ مُّبِينٌ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنَ ٱلْقَرْيَتَيْنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمْ يَقْسِمُونَ رَحْمَتَ رَبِّكَ نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَٰتٍ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ وَلَوْلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً لَّجَعَلْنَا لِمَن يَكْفُرُ بِٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ لِبُيُوتِهِمْ سُقُفًا مِّن فِضَّةٍ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيْهَا يَظْهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِهِمْ أَبْوَٰبًا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيْهَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخْرُفًا وَإِن كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

«26. And (remember) when Ibrāhīm said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,"» «27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me."» «28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.» «29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.» «30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein."» «31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'ān sent down to some great man of the two towns?"» «32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.» «33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,» «34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,» «35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwā.»

Ibrāhīm's Declaration of Tawḥīd

Here Allāh tells us about His servant, Messenger and close Friend, the leader of the monotheists and the father of all subsequent Prophets, from whom Quraysh were descended and claimed to have taken their religion. He disowned his father's and his people's worship of idols and said:

Qur’an 43:26–28إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُۥ سَيَهْدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةًۢ بَاقِيَةً فِى عَقِبِهِۦ

«"Verily, I am innocent of what you worship, except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me." And he made it a Word lasting among his offspring,» The Word means the worship of Allāh Alone with no partner or associate, and the denunciation of all gods apart from Him, i.e., Lā ilāha illallāh. He left this word as an example to be followed by those of his progeny who were guided by Allāh.

Qur’anلَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

«that they may turn back.» means, come back to this word. 'Ikrimah, Mujāhid, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Qatādah, As-Suddi and others commented on the Āyah:

Qur’an 43:28وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةًۢ بَاقِيَةً فِى عَقِبِهِۦ

«And he made it a Word lasting among his offspring,» "This means, Lā ilāha illallāh, and there are still those among his offspring who say it."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :589.} A similar view was narrated from Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him. Ibn Zayd said, "The word of Islām," ^{2Al-Qurṭubi 21 :77.}which refers to the same thing suggested by the group.

How the People of Makkah turned away from the Messenger ﷺ and opposed Him, and His Response

Allāh further says:

Qur’an 43:29بَلْ مَتَّعْتُ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ

«Nay, but I gave to these» means, the idolators,

Qur’an 43:29وَءَابَآءَهُمْ

«and their fathers» means, they lived a long life in their misguidance.

Qur’an 43:29حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ مُّبِينٌ

«till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.»

means, his message is clear and his warning is clear.

Qur’an 43:30وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ

«And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein."»

means, they were arrogant and stubborn, and they pushed him away out of disbelief, envy and transgression.

Qur’anوَقَالُوا۟

«And they say» means, objecting to that which Allāh has revealed to him,

Qur’an 43:31لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنَ ٱلْقَرْيَتَيْنِ عَظِيمٍ

«Why is not this Qur'ān sent down to some great man of the two towns?»

meaning, why was this Qur'ān not revealed to some man who was great and prominent in their eyes, from the two towns, i.e., Makkah and Aṭ-Ṭā'if? This was the view of Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, 'Ikrimah, Muḥammad bin Ka'b Al-Quraẓi, Qatādah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:592, 593.} Several scholars of Tafsīr stated that by this, the Quraysh meant Al-Walīd bin Al-Mughīrah and 'Urwah bin Mas'ūd Ath-Thaqafi. The apparent meaning is that what they meant was a great man from either of the two towns. Allāh responded to their rejection by saying:

Qur’an 43:32أَهُمْ يَقْسِمُونَ رَحْمَتَ رَبِّكَ

«Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord?» meaning, the matter has nothing to do with them; it is for Allāh to decide. Allāh knows best where to direct His Message, and He does not reveal it except to the one who is the purest in heart and soul, and of the noblest descent. Then Allāh points out that He differentiates among His creation in terms of what He gives them of wealth, provision, intellect, understanding and other visible and hidden strengths:

Qur’an 43:32نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا

«It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world,»

Qur’an 43:32لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا

«so that some may employ others in their work.» It was said that this means that some employ others in their work, because one needs the other, and vice versa. This was the view of As-Suddi and others.^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:595.}

Qur’an 43:32وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ

«But the mercy of your Lord is better than which they amass.» means, the mercy of Allāh towards His creation is better for them than the wealth and conveniences of this world which they possess.

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

Qur’an 43:33وَلَوْلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً

«And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,» means, 'were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn 'Abbās, Al-Ḥasan, Qatādah, As-Suddi and others.^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:597.}

Qur’an 43:33لَّجَعَلْنَا لِمَن يَكْفُرُ بِٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ لِبُيُوتِهِمْ سُقُفًا مِّن فِضَّةٍ وَمَعَارِجَ

«We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators» means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, Qatādah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:600.}

Qur’an 43:33عَلَيْهَا يَظْهَرُونَ

«whereby they ascend,» means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

Qur’an 43:34وَسُرُرًا عَلَيْهَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

«and thrones on which they could recline,» means, all of that would be made of silver.

Qur’an 43:35وَزُخْرُفًا

«And adornments» means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn 'Abbās, Qatādah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:601, 602.}

Qur’an 43:35وَإِن كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا

«Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.» means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allāh. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allāh for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Ṣaḥīḥ Ḥadīth.^{8Muslim 4:2162.} It was reported in another Ḥadīth:

Ḥadīthلَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَىٰ مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ

«If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allāh, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.»^{9At-Tirmidhi 6:611.} Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.^{10Al-Baghawi 4:138. Similar was recorded by At-Tirmidhi and other.}

Qur’an 43:35وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

«And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwā.» means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When 'Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb, may Allāh be pleased with him, visited the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allāh, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allāh's creation." The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was reclining, but he sat up and said:

Ḥadīthأَوَ فِي شَكٍّ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟

«Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khaṭṭāb?» Then he ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthأُولٰئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَيِّبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا

«Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.»^{11Muslim 2:113.} According to another report:

Ḥadīthأَمَا تَرْضَىٰ أَنْ تَكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْآخِرَةُ

«Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us?»^{12Muslim 2:110.} In as the Two Ṣaḥīḥs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

«لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ»

«Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.»^{13Fatḥ Al-Bāri 9:465, Muslim 3:1637.}

Allāh has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mājah via Abu Ḥāzim from Sahl bin Sa'd, who said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthلَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَىٰ مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا

«If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allāh, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.»" At-Tirmidhi said: "Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ."

Qur’an 43:36–45وَمَن يَعْشُ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُۥ شَيْطَٰنًا فَهُوَ لَهُۥ قَرِينٌ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَٰلَيْتَ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكَ بُعْدَ ٱلْمَشْرِقَيْنِ فَبِئْسَ ٱلْقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ إِذ ظَّلَمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ مُشْتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوْ تَهْدِى ٱلْعُمْىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ فَإِمَّا نَذْهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنْهُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوْ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدْنَٰهُمْ فَإِنَّا عَلَيْهِم مُّقْتَدِرُونَ فَٱسْتَمْسِكْ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْـَٔلُونَ وَسْـَٔلْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلْنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ءَالِهَةً يُعْبَدُونَ

«36. And whosoever Ya'shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shayṭān to be a Qarīn (a companion) to him.» «37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!» «38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!"» «39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.» «40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error?» «41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.» «42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.» «43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.» «44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.» «45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious?"»

The Shayṭān is the Companion of the One Who turns away from Ar-Raḥmān

Qur’an 43:36وَمَن يَعْشُ

«And whosoever Ya'shu (turns away blindly)» means, whoever willfully ignores and turns away

Qur’an 43:36عَن ذِكْرِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ

«from the remembrance of the Most Gracious,» Al-'Ashā (the root of Ya'sh) refers to weakness of vision; what is meant here is weakness of insight.

Qur’an 43:36نُقَيِّضْ لَهُۥ شَيْطَٰنًا فَهُوَ لَهُۥ قَرِينٌ

«We appoint for him Shayṭān to be a Qarīn (a companion) to him.» This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 4:115وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ

«And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him» (4:115),

Qur’an 61:5فَلَمَّا زَاغُوٓا۟ أَزَاغَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ

«So when they turned away, Allāh turned their hearts away» (61:5), and

Qur’an 41:25وَقَيَّضْنَا لَهُمْ قُرَنَآءَ فَزَيَّنُوا۟ لَهُم مَّا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ

«And We have assigned for them intimate companions, who have made fair seeming to them, what was before them and what was behind them» (41:25).

Allāh says here:

Qur’an 43:37–38وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا

«And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright! Until, when he comes to Us,»

meaning, for this person who willfully neglects true guidance, We send to him a Shayṭān to lead him astray and show him the path to Hell. When he comes before Allāh on the Day of Resurrection, he will complain about the Shayṭān who was appointed to accompany him.

Qur’an 43:38قَالَ يَٰلَيْتَ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكَ بُعْدَ ٱلْمَشْرِقَيْنِ فَبِئْسَ ٱلْقَرِينُ

«he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts - a worst companion (indeed)!"»

Some of them recited it;

(حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءَانَا)

(Till, when they both come to Us.)

referring to the companion Shayṭān and the one whom he accompanies. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:39وَلَن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ إِذ ظَّلَمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ مُشْتَرِكُونَ

«It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.»

means, 'your being together in the Fire will not help you in the slightest, and you will both partake of the painful punishment.' Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:40أَفَأَنتَ تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوْ تَهْدِى ٱلْعُمْىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ

«Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error?»

means, 'that is not up to you. All you have to do is convey the Message, but you do not have to guide them. Allāh guides whomsoever He wills and sends astray whomsoever He wills, and He is Wise and Just in doing so.' Allāh's Vengeance upon the Enemies of His Messenger ﷺ will surely come to pass Allāh further says:

Qur’an 43:41فَإِمَّا نَذْهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنْهُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ

«And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.» means, 'We will inevitably wreak vengeance upon them and punish them, even if you pass away.'

Qur’an 43:42أَوْ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدْنَٰهُمْ فَإِنَّا عَلَيْهِم مُّقْتَدِرُونَ

«Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.» means, 'We are able to do both,' but Allāh will not take His Messenger ﷺ (in death) until He gives him the joy of seeing his enemies brought low and gives him power and authority over them and their wealth. This was the view of As-Suddi and was the opinion favored by Ibn Jarīr.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:609.}

Encouragement to adhere to the Qur'ān Allāh then says;

Qur’an 43:43فَٱسْتَمْسِكْ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

«So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.» means, hold fast to the Qur'ān which has been sent down to your heart, for it is truth and what it leads to is truth that shows the way to the straight path that leads to Gardens of Delight and eternal, everlasting goodness.

Qur’an 43:44وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ

«And verily, this is a Dhikr for you and your people,» It was said that this means, 'it is an honor for you and your people;' this was the view of Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, Mujāhid, Qatādah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:610, 611.} This means that it is an honor for them in that it was revealed in their language, so they are the people who have the best understanding of it among mankind and hence are obliged to be the most steadfast in adhering to its commandments. This is how the best of them were, the first immigrants and those who emulated them and followed them. It was also said that the meaning of the phrase;

Qur’an 43:44وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ

«And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people,» was that 'it was sent to remind you and your people.' The fact that they are singled out does not exclude others. This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 21:10لَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكُمْ كِتَٰبًا فِيهِ ذِكْرُكُمْ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

«Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book in which there is Dhikrukum (your Reminder). Will you not then understand?» (21:10)

Qur’an 26:214وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ

«And warn your tribe of near kindred» (26:214)

Qur’an 43:44وَسَوْفَ تُسْـَٔلُونَ

«and you will be questioned.» means, 'about this Qur'ān, and how you acted upon it and what your response to it was.'

Qur’an 43:45وَسْـَٔلْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلْنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ءَالِهَةً يُعْبَدُونَ

«And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious?"» means, 'all the Messengers called their people to the same as that to which you are calling mankind, namely the worship of Allāh Alone with no partner or associate, and they forbade the worship of idols and false gods.' This is like the Āyah:

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

«And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allāh, and avoid all false deities."» (16:36) Mujāhid said that 'Abdullāh bin Mas'ūd recited it: (وَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ قَبْلَكَ [مِنْ]

Qur’an 43:48–60وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ أُخْتِهَا وَأَخَذْنَٰهُم بِٱلْعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ وَقَالُوا۟ يَٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ ٱدْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهْتَدُونَ فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمْ يَنكُثُونَ وَنَادَىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى قَوْمِهِۦ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ أَلَيْسَ لِى مُلْكُ مِصْرَ وَهَٰذِهِ ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِىٓ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ أَمْ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ فَلَوْلَآ أُلْقِىَ عَلَيْهِ أَسْوِرَةٌ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوْ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ مُقْتَرِنِينَ فَٱسْتَخَفَّ قَوْمَهُۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا فَٰسِقِينَ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَٰهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمْ سَلَفًا وَمَثَلًا لِّلْـَٔاخِرِينَ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوْمُكَ مِنْهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓا۟ ءَأَٰلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هُوَ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًۢا بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَا مِنكُم مَّلَٰٓئِكَةً فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَخْلُفُونَ

رُسُلِنَا) (وَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ قَبْلَكَ [مِنْ] رُسُلِنَا)

(And ask those whom We sent before you of Our Messengers.)^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:611.}

This was narrated by Qatādah, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and As-Suddi from Ibn Mas'ūd, may Allāh be pleased with him.^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:611, 612.} Yet this appears to be an explanation rather than an alternate version of recitation. And Allāh knows best.

Qur’an 43:46–50وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنْهَا يَضْحَكُونَ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ أُخْتِهَا وَأَخَذْنَٰهُم بِٱلْعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ وَقَالُوا۟ يَٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ ٱدْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهْتَدُونَ فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمْ يَنكُثُونَ

«46. And indeed We did send Mūsā with Our Āyāt to Fir'awn and his chiefs. He said: "Verily, I am a Messenger of the Lord of all that exists."»

«47. But when he came to them with Our Āyāt, behold, they laughed at them».

«48. And not an Āyah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it, and We seized them with torment, in order that they might turn.» «49. And they said (to Mūsā): "O you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has made a pact with you. Verily, We shall guide ourselves."»

«50. But when We removed the torment from them, behold, they broke their covenant.»

Mūsā was sent with the Message of Tawḥīd to Fir'awn and His Chiefs

Here Allāh tells us about His servant and Messenger Mūsā, peace be upon him, and how He sent him to Fir'awn and his chiefs. That is, his governors, ministers, leaders and followers among the Egyptians and the Children of Israel. Allāh sent him to call them to worship Allāh alone, with no partner or associate, and to forbid them from worshipping anything other than Him. He sent him with mighty signs, such as his hand and his staff, other signs such as the flood, locusts, Qummal,^{1See the discussion of these events in volume four, the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Ar'āf [7:133].} frogs and blood, and the loss of their crops and lives. Yet despite all that they remained arrogant and stubbornly refused to follow him; they rejected his message and made fun of it, and laughed at the one who had brought it.

Qur’an 43:48وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ أُخْتِهَا

«And not an Āyah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it,»

but despite that they would not give up their sin, misguidance, ignorance and confusion. Every time one of these signs came to them, they would go and implore Mūsā, saying,

Qur’an 43:49يَٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ

«"O you sorcerer!..."» meaning, expert or knowledgeable one – this was the view of Ibn Jarīr.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :615.}

The scholars of that time were the sorcerers or magicians, and magic was not regarded as something reprehensible by them at that time, so this was not a slight on their part. They were in a state of need, so it would not have been appropriate for them to insult him. This was a way of honoring him, as they thought. On each occasion, they promised Mūsā that if the torment was lifted from them, they would believe in him and let the Children of Israel go with him, but on each occasion they went back on their word. This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 7:133–135فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلْجَرَادَ وَٱلْقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَٰتٍ مُّفَصَّلَٰتٍ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا مُّجْرِمِينَ وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلرِّجْزُ قَالُوا۟ يَٰمُوسَى ٱدْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ لَئِن كَشَفْتَ عَنَّا ٱلرِّجْزَ لَنُؤْمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرْسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ ٱلرِّجْزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمْ يَنكُثُونَ

«So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the Qummal, the frogs, and the blood; manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were criminals. And when the punishment struck them, they said: "O Mūsā! Invoke your Lord for us because of His promise to you. If you remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you." But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold! they broke their word!» (7:133-135)

Qur’an 43:51–56وَنَادَىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى قَوْمِهِۦ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ أَلَيْسَ لِى مُلْكُ مِصْرَ وَهَٰذِهِ ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِىٓ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ أَمْ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ فَلَوْلَآ أُلْقِىَ عَلَيْهِ أَسْوِرَةٌ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوْ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ مُقْتَرِنِينَ فَٱسْتَخَفَّ قَوْمَهُۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا فَٰسِقِينَ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَٰهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمْ سَلَفًا وَمَثَلًا لِّلْـَٔاخِرِينَ

«51. And Fir'awn proclaimed among his people (saying): "O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then?"»

«52. "Am I not better than this one (Mūsā) who is despicable and can scarcely express himself clearly?"»

«53. Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him?"»

«54. Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.»

«55. So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.»

«56. And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.»

Fir'awn's Address to His People and how Allāh punished Him

Allāh tells us how Fir'awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt.

Qur’an 43:51أَلَيْسَ لِى مُلْكُ مِصْرَ وَهَٰذِهِ ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِىٓ

«Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me?»

Qatādah said, "They had gardens and rivers of flowing water."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:616.}

Qur’an 43:51أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ

«See you not then?» means, 'do you not see my position of might and power?' – implying that Mūsā and his followers were poor and weak. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 79:23–25فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ فَقَالَ أَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَٱلْأُولَىٰٓ

«Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, saying: "I am your lord, most high." So Allāh seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression.» (79:23-25)

Qur’an 43:52أَمْ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ

«Am I not better than this one who is despicable»

As-Suddi said, "He was saying, 'indeed I am better than this one, who is despicable'."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:616.} Some of the grammarians of Baṣrah^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:617.} said that Fir'awn – may the curse of Allāh be upon him – was saying that he was better than Mūsā, peace be upon him. But this is an obvious lie, may continued curses be upon him until the Day of Resurrection. By describing Mūsā as despicable he meant – as Sufyān said – insignificant. Qatādah and As-Suddi said, "He meant, weak." Ibn Jarīr said, “He meant, he had no power, authority or wealth.”

Qur’an 43:52وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

«and can scarcely express himself clearly» means, he cannot speak clearly, he stammers and cannot speak well.

Fir'awn's description of Mūsā as “despicable” is a lie; rather it is he who was despicable and insignificant, lacking in physical, moral and religious terms, and it is Mūsā who was noble, truthful, righteous and upright.

Qur’an 43:52وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

«and can scarcely express himself clearly». This was also a lie. Although something happened to Mūsā's tongue when he was a child, when it was burnt by a coal. He asked Allāh to loosen the knot from his tongue (i.e., to correct his speech defect) so that they could understand what he said, and Allāh had answered his prayer and said:

Qur’an 20:36قَدْ أُوتِيتَ سُؤْلَكَ يَٰمُوسَىٰ

«You are granted your request, O Mūsā» (20:36).

It may be the case that some problem remained which he had not asked to be relieved of, as Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣri suggested, and that he had asked only to be relieved of that which stood in the way of his conveying the Message. A person cannot be blamed for physical matters over which he has no control. Even though Fir'awn had the intelligence to understand that, he wanted to confuse and mislead his people, who were ignorant and stupid. So he said:

Qur’an 43:53فَلَوْلَآ أُلْقِىَ عَلَيْهِ أَسْوِرَةٌ مِّن ذَهَبٍ

«Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him...?» meaning, adornments which are placed on the arms. This was the view of Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, Qatādah and others.^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:619.}

Qur’an 43:53أَوْ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ مُقْتَرِنِينَ

«or angels sent along with him?» meaning, to serve him and to testify that he is telling the truth. He looked only at outward appearances and did not understand the true inner matters that are clearer than what he focused on, if only he had understood that. Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:54فَٱسْتَخَفَّ قَوْمَهُۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ

«Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him.»

meaning, he confused them and invited them to misguidance, and they responded to him.

Qur’an 43:54إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا فَٰسِقِينَ

«Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.»

Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:55فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَٰهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«So when they angered Us,' We punished them, and drowned them all.»

'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said it means: "When they angered Us means, they provoked Our wrath."^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:622.} Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said, it means "They made Us angry." This was also the view of Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, 'Ikrimah, Sa'īd bin Jubayr, Muḥammad bin Ka'b Al-Quraẓi, Qatādah, As-Suddi and other scholars of Tafsīr.^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:622; Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 7:383.}

Ibn Abi Ḥātim recorded that 'Uqbah bin 'Āmir, may Allāh be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِذَا رَأَيْتَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ يُعْطِي الْعَبْدَ مَا يَشَاءُ، وَهُوَ مُقِيمٌ عَلَىٰ مَعَاصِيهِ، فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ لَهُ

«When you see that Allāh gives a person what he wants even though he is persisting in sin, that means that Allāh is enticing him into destruction.» Then he recited:

Qur’an 43:55فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَٰهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.»^{7Aḥmad 4:145, with slight differences.}

Qur’an 43:61–73وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالَ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ فَٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمٍ أَلِيمٍ هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ ٱلْأَخِلَّآءُ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ يَٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَكَانُوا۟ مُسْلِمِينَ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ أَنتُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُكُمْ تُحْبَرُونَ يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِصِحَافٍ مِّن ذَهَبٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلْأَعْيُنُ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ وَتِلْكَ ٱلْجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا فَٰكِهَةٌ كَثِيرَةٌ مِّنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ

It was reported that Ṭāriq bin Shihāb said, "I was with 'Abdullāh, may Allāh be pleased with him, and the issue of sudden death was mentioned. He said, 'It is a relief for the believer and a source of regret for the disbeliever.' Then he recited the Āyah:

Qur’an 43:55فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَٰهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all»."^{8Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 7:384.}

‘Umar bin 'Abdul-'Azīz, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "I found that punishment comes with negligence, meaning the Āyah:

Qur’an 43:55فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَٰهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all»."

Qur’an 43:56فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمْ سَلَفًا وَمَثَلًا لِّلْـَٔاخِرِينَ

«And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.»

Abu Mijlaz said, "Precedent for others who do the same as they did."^{9Al-Qurṭubi 16:102.} He and Mujāhid said, "An example, i.e., a lesson to those who come after them."^{10Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :624, Al-Qurṭubi 16:102.} Allāh is the One Who guides to the straight path, and unto Him is the final return.

Qur’an 43:57–65وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوْمُكَ مِنْهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓا۟ ءَأَٰلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هُوَ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًۢا بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَا مِنكُم مَّلَٰٓئِكَةً فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَخْلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالَ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ فَٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمٍ أَلِيمٍ

«57. And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.»

«58. And say: "Are our gods better or is he?" They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.»

«59. He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.»

«60. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.»

«61. And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path.»

«62. And let not Shayṭān hinder you. Verily, he (Shayṭān) to you is a plain enemy.»

«63. And when 'Īsā came with clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Ḥikmah,^{1See the Tafsīr of Sūrah Ṣād (38:20).} and in order to make clear to you some of that in which you differ. Therefore have Taqwā of Allāh and obey me."»

«64. "Verily, Allāh! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path."»

«65. But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day!»

The Contempt of the Quraysh for the son of Maryam, and His true Status with Allāh

Allāh tells us how the Quraysh persisted in their disbelief and stubborn arguments:

Qur’an 43:57وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوْمُكَ مِنْهُ يَصِدُّونَ

«And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.»

Several others narrated that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, Mujāhid, 'Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said, "They laughed, i.e., they were astounded by that."^{2Al-Qurṭubi 16:103.} Qatādah said, "They were repelled by that and they laughed."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:627.} Ibrāhīm An-Nakha'i said, "They turned away."^{4Al-Qurṭubi, 16:103.}

The reason for this was mentioned by Muḥammad bin Isḥāq in As-Sīrah. He said, "According to what I have heard, the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ sat down one day with Al-Walīd bin Al-Mughīrah in the Masjid, and An-Naḍr bin Al-Ḥārith came and sat down with them. There were also other men from the Quraysh in the gathering. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ spoke, then An-Naḍr bin Al-Ḥārith came up to him and the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ spoke to him until he ﷺ defeated him in argument. Then he ﷺ recited to him and to them,

Qur’an 21:98إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمْ لَهَا وَٰرِدُونَ

«Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allāh, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.» (21:98)

Then the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ got up and went to sit with 'Abdullāh bin Al-Zab'ari At-Tamīmi. Al-Walīd bin Al-Mughīrah said to him, 'By Allāh, An-Naḍr bin Al-Ḥārith could not match the son of 'Abd Al-Muṭṭalib in argument. Muḥammad claims that we and these gods that we worship are fuel for Hell.' 'Abdullāh bin Az-Zab'ari said, 'By Allāh, if I meet with him I will defeat him in argument. Ask Muḥammad whether everyone that is worshipped instead of Allāh will be in Hell with those who worshipped him, for we worship the angels, and the Jews worship 'Uzayr, and the Christians worship the Messiah 'Īsā bin Maryam.' Al-Walīd and those who were sitting with him were amazed at what 'Abdullāh bin Az-Zab'ari said, and they thought that he had come up with a good point. He said this to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, who said:

Ḥadīthكُلُّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ مِنْ دُونِ الله فَهُوَ مَعَ مَنْ عَبَدَهُ، فَإِنَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُونَ الشَّيْطَانَ وَمَنْ أَمَرَهُمْ بِعِبَادَتِهِ

«Everyone who likes to worship something other than Allāh will be with the one whom he worshipped, for indeed they are worshipping the Shayṭān and whomever told them to worship that person.»"

Then Allāh revealed the words:

Qur’an 21:101إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتْ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلْحُسْنَىٰٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ عَنْهَا مُبْعَدُونَ

«Verily, those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell)» (21:101),

meaning that 'Īsā, 'Uzayr and rabbis and monks who were also worshipped, who spent their lives in devotion towards Allāh. The misguided people who came after them took them as lords instead of Allāh. Concerning the notion of worshipping the angels as daughters of Allāh, the following words were revealed:

Qur’an 21:26وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَلَدًا سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُّكْرَمُونَ

«And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten a son (or children)." Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.» (21:26)

Concerning 'Īsā bin Maryam, the fact that he is worshipped instead of Allāh, and to the amazement of Al-Walīd and the others who were present at the argument, the following was revealed:

Qur’an 43:57وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوْمُكَ مِنْهُ يَصِدُّونَ

«And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.» meaning, they take this argument as a basis for rejecting your message. Then Allāh mentions 'Īsā bin Maryam and says:

Qur’an 43:59–61إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَا مِنكُم مَّلَٰٓئِكَةً فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَخْلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

«He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth. And he ('Īsā) shall be a known sign for the Hour.»

meaning, the miracles and signs that happened at his hands, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, are sufficient as signs of the approach of the Hour.

Qur’an 43:61فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ

«Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path»."^{5Ibn Hishām 1:396-398.}

Ibn Jarīr mentioned that Al-'Awfī reported that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, commented on the Āyah:

Qur’an 43:57وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوْمُكَ مِنْهُ يَصِدُّونَ

«And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.»

"This means the Quraysh, when it was said to them:

Qur’an 21:98إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمْ لَهَا وَٰرِدُونَ

«Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allāh, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.» (21:98)

The Quraysh said to him: 'What about 'Īsā bin Maryam?' He said:

Ḥadīthذَاكَ عَبْدُ الله وَرَسُولُهُ

«He is the servant and Messenger of Allāh.»

They said, 'By Allāh, he means that we should take him as a lord just as the Christians took 'Īsā son of Maryam as a lord.' Then Allāh said:

Qur’an 43:58مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًۢا بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ

«They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people»."^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:625. There are similar authentic narrations: Mushkil Al-Āthār 1:431, and Al-Ḥākim 2:385.}

Qur’an 43:58وَقَالُوٓا۟ ءَأَٰلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هُوَ

«And say: "Are our gods better or is he?"». Qatādah said, "They were saying, 'our gods are better than him'." Qatādah said; "Ibn Mas'ūd, may Allāh be pleased with him, recited it

(أَآلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هَذَا)

(Are our gods better or is this (person)?)" they mean Muḥammad ﷺ.

Qur’an 43:58مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًۢا

«They quoted not the above example except for argument.»

means, for the sake of stubborn argument, for they knew that he ('Īsā ) was not included in the Āyah (21:98), because that would not make sense. The words,

Qur’an 21:98إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ

«Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allāh, are (but) fuel for Hell!» (21:98)

are addressed to the Quraysh, for they used to worship idols and false gods – they did not worship the Messiah so why should he be included in what the Āyah says? What they said was only for the sake of argument; they did not really believe in it.

Imām Aḥmad, may Allāh have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Umāmah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthمَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ، إِلَّا أُورِثُوا الْجَدَلَ

«No people go astray after having been guided, but they resort to (futile) argument.» Then the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ recited this Āyah:

Qur’an 43:58مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًۢا بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ

«They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people»."^{7Aḥmad 5:256.}

It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Mājah and Ibn Jarīr. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Ḥadīth is Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ, we do not know it except from the Ḥadīth of Ḥajjāj bin Dīnār..."^{8Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:130; Ibn Mājah 1:19, Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:629.}

Qur’an 43:59إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ

«He ('Īsā) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him,»

means, 'Īsa, peace be upon him; he was no more than one of the servants of Allāh whom Allāh blessed with prophethood and messengership.

Qur’an 43:59وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

«and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.»

means, 'a sign, proof and evidence of Our power to do whatever We will.'

Qur’an 43:60وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَا مِنكُم مَّلَٰٓئِكَةً فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَخْلُفُونَ

«And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.»

As-Suddi said, "They would have taken your place on (the earth)."^{9Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:631.} Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, and Qatādah said, "They would have succeeded one another just as you succeed one another."^{10Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:630.} This view is implied by the former veiw. Mujāhid said, "They would have populated the earth instead of you."^{11Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:630.}

Allāh's saying:

Qur’an 43:61وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

«And he ('Īsā) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.»

The correct view concerning this phrase is that it refers to his descent before the Day of Resurrection, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 4:159وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِۦ

«And there is none of the People of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death» (4:159). - meaning before the death of 'Īsā, peace be upon him -

Qur’an 4:159وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا

«And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them» (4:159). This meaning has the support from an alternate recitation of the Ayāt;

(وَإِنَّهُ لَعَلَمٌ لِلسَّاعَةِ)

(And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, evidence that the Hour will surely come. Mujāhid said:

Qur’an 43:61وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

«And he shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour.»

means, sign and "One of the signs of the Hour will be the appearance of 'Īsā son of Maryam before the Day of Resurrection."^{12Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:632.} Something similar was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn 'Abbās, 'Abu Al-'Āliyah, Abu Mālik, 'Ikrimah, Al-Ḥasan, Qatādah, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and others.^{13Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:632; Al-Qurṭubi 16:106.} Many Mutawātir Ḥadīths report that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said that 'Īsā will descend before the Day of Resurrection as a just ruler and fair judge.

Qur’an 43:61فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا

«Therefore have no doubt concerning it.» means, do not doubt that it will surely come to pass.

Qur’an 43:61وَٱتَّبِعُونِ

«And follow Me.» means, 'in what I tell you about it.'

Qur’an 43:61–62هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ

«This is the straight path. And let not Shayṭān hinder you.» means, from following the truth.

Qur’an 43:62–63إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالَ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ

«Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy. And when 'Īsā came with (Our) clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Ḥikmah..."», meaning prophethood:

Qur’an 43:63وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ

«and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ.» Ibn Jarīr said, "This means religious matters, not worldly matters."^{14Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:635.} What he said is good.

Qur’an 43:63فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ

«Therefore have Taqwā of Allāh» means, 'with regard to what I command you to do.'

Qur’an 43:63وَأَطِيعُونِ

«and obey me.» means, 'in what I bring to you.'

Qur’an 43:64إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ

«Verily, Allāh! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.» means, 'you and I are enslaved to Him, in need of Him and we commonly share in the worship of Him Alone, associating none with Him.'

Qur’anهَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ

«This is the straight path» means, 'what I have brought to you is the straight path, which is the worship of the Lord, may He exalted, Alone.'

Qur’an 43:65فَٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ

«But the sects from among themselves differed.» means, they differed and became parties and factions, some who stated that he ('Īsā) was the servant and Messenger of Allāh - which is true - while others claimed that he was the son of Allāh or that he himself was Allāh - glorified be Allāh far above what they say. Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:65فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمٍ أَلِيمٍ

«So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day»!

Qur’an 43:66–73هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ ٱلْأَخِلَّآءُ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ يَٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَكَانُوا۟ مُسْلِمِينَ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ أَنتُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُكُمْ تُحْبَرُونَ يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِصِحَافٍ مِّن ذَهَبٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلْأَعْيُنُ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ وَتِلْكَ ٱلْجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا فَٰكِهَةٌ كَثِيرَةٌ مِّنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ

«66. Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not?»

«67. Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwā.»

«68. My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,»

«69. (You) who believed in Our Āyāt and were Muslims.»

«70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.»

«71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that their souls desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.»

«72. This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.»

«73. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).»

The Resurrection will come suddenly, and Enmity will arise between close Friends among the Disbelievers

Allāh says, 'do these idolaters who disbelieve in the Messengers wait'

Qur’an 43:66إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

«only for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not?»

means, for it is real and will inevitably come to pass, and these negligent people are unprepared for it. When it comes, it will catch them unawares, and on that Day they will feel the utmost regret when regret will not benefit them in the slightest and will not afford them any protection.

Qur’an 43:67ٱلْأَخِلَّآءُ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

«Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwā.»

means, every friendship that exists for a purpose other than for the sake of Allāh will turn to enmity on the Day of Resurrection, except for that which is for the sake of Allāh, which will last forever. This is like the statement of Ibrāhīm, peace be upon him, to his people:

Qur’an 29:25إِنَّمَا ٱتَّخَذْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْثَٰنًا مَّوَدَّةَ بَيْنِكُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ يَكْفُرُ بَعْضُكُم بِبَعْضٍ وَيَلْعَنُ بَعْضُكُم بَعْضًا وَمَأْوَىٰكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ

«You have taken (for worship) idols instead of Allāh. The love between you is only in the life of this world, but on the Day of Resurrection, you shall disown each other, and curse each other, and your abode will be the Fire, and you shall have no helper.» (29:25)

Good News for Those with Taqwā on the Day of Resurrection, and Their entry into Paradise

Qur’an 43:68يَٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ

«My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.»

Then He will give them the glad tidings:

Qur’an 43:69ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَكَانُوا۟ مُسْلِمِينَ

«(You) who believed in Our Āyāt and were Muslims.» means, their hearts believed and they submitted inwardly and outwardly to the Laws of Allāh. Al-Mu'tamir bin Sulaymān narrated that his father said: "When the Day of Resurrection comes and the people are resurrected, there will be no one left who will not be filled with terror. Then a caller will cry out:

Qur’an 43:68يَٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ

«My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.» So all the people will be filled with hope, but this will be followed by the words:

Qur’an 43:69ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَكَانُوا۟ مُسْلِمِينَ

«(You) who believed in Our Āyāt and were Muslims.» Then all of mankind will be filled with despair apart from the believers."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:639.}

Qur’an 43:70ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ

«Enter Paradise,» means, they will be told to enter Paradise.

Qur’an 43:70أَنتُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُكُمْ

«you and your wives,» means, your counterparts

Qur’an 43:70تُحْبَرُونَ

«in happiness (Tuḥbarūn).» means, in delight and joy.^{2This phrase Tuḥbarūn has already been mentioned in Sūrat Ar-Rūm [30:15] where there was a narration stating that it means, "Luxury." Ibn Kathīr's view is that it is more general than that, as seen by his comment here.}

Qur’an 43:71يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِصِحَافٍ مِّن ذَهَبٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ

«Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them;» means, fine vessels of gold containing food and drink, without spouts or handles. (وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي الْأَنْفُسُ)

Qur’an 43:71وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ

[(there will be) therein all that their souls could desire).] Some of them recited:

Qur’an 43:71مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ

«that their souls desire,»

Qur’an 43:71وَتَلَذُّ ٱلْأَعْيُنُ

«and all that eyes could delight in» means, of good food, delightful fragrances and beautiful scenes.

Qur’an 43:71وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا

«and you will therein» means, in Paradise

Qur’anخَٰلِدُونَ

«abide forever» means, you will never leave it or want to exchange it. Then it will be said to them, as a reminder of the blessing and favor of Allāh:

Qur’an 43:72وَتِلْكَ ٱلْجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

«This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.» means, the righteous deeds which were the cause of your being included in the mercy of Allāh. For no one will be admitted to Paradise by virtue of their deeds alone; that will be by the mercy and grace of Allāh. But the varying ranks and degrees of Paradise will be attained according to one's righteous deeds.

Qur’an 43:73لَكُمْ فِيهَا فَٰكِهَةٌ كَثِيرَةٌ

«Therein for you will be fruits in plenty,» means, of all kinds.

Qur’an 43:73مِّنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ

«of which you will eat.» means, whatever you choose and desire. When food and drink are mentioned, fruit is also mentioned to complete the picture of blessing and joy. And Allāh knows best.

Qur’an 43:74–89إِنَّ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنْهُمْ وَهُمْ فِيهِ مُبْلِسُونَ وَمَا ظَلَمْنَٰهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ وَنَادَوْا۟ يَٰمَٰلِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّكَ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّٰكِثُونَ لَقَدْ جِئْنَٰكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ لِلْحَقِّ كَٰرِهُونَ أَمْ أَبْرَمُوٓا۟ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّا مُبْرِمُونَ أَمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسْمَعُ سِرَّهُمْ وَنَجْوَىٰهُم بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيْهِمْ يَكْتُبُونَ قُلْ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَلَدٌ فَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْعَٰبِدِينَ سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرْهُمْ يَخُوضُوا۟ وَيَلْعَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يُلَٰقُوا۟ يَوْمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَٰهٌ وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَٰهٌ وَهُوَ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمْلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمٌ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ فَٱصْفَحْ عَنْهُمْ وَقُلْ سَلَٰمٌ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ

«74. Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.» «75. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.»

«76. We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.»

«77. And they will cry: "O Mālik (keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us." He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever."»

«78. Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.»

«79. Or have they plotted some plan? Then We too are planning.»

«80. Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel? Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.»

The Punishment of the Doomed

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

Qur’an 43:74–75إِنَّ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنْهُمْ

«Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,»

meaning, not even for one moment.

Qur’an 43:75وَهُمْ فِيهِ مُبْلِسُونَ

«and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,»

means, they will despair of any goodness.

Qur’an 43:76وَمَا ظَلَمْنَٰهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

«We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.»

means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.

Qur’an 43:77وَنَادَوْا۟ يَٰمَٰلِكُ

«And they will cry: "O Mālik..."» who is the keeper of Hell.

Al-Bukhāri said, "Ḥajjāj bin Minhāl told us, Sufyān bin 'Uyaynah told us, from 'Amr bin 'Aṭā,' from Ṣafwān bin Ya'lā that his father, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, 'I heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ reciting on the Minbar:

Qur’an 43:77وَنَادَوْا۟ يَٰمَٰلِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّكَ

«And they will cry: "O Mālik! Let your Lord make an end of us."»^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri, 8:431.}

meaning, 'let Him destroy our souls and give us some respite from our predicament.' But it will be as Allāh says:

Qur’an 35:36لَا يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَمُوتُوا۟ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُم مِّنْ عَذَابِهَا

«Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them» (35:36).

Qur’an 87:11–13وَيَتَجَنَّبُهَا ٱلْأَشْقَى ٱلَّذِى يَصْلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحْيَىٰ

«But it will be avoided by the wretched, who will enter the great Fire. There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).» (87:11-13).

When they ask to be allowed to die, Mālik will answer them:

Qur’an 43:77قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّٰكِثُونَ

«He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever."» meaning, 'you will have no way out from it and no refuge.' Then the reason why they are doomed will be given, which is their stubborn resistance to the truth. Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:78لَقَدْ جِئْنَٰكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ

«Indeed We have brought the truth to you,» meaning, 'We have explained it to you clearly and in detail.'

Qur’an 43:78وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ لِلْحَقِّ كَٰرِهُونَ

«but most of you have a hatred for the truth.»

means, 'but your nature could not accept it and did not seek it; on the contrary, you followed and venerated falsehood, and you stood in the way of truth and refused it, and despised its followers.' So they will blame themselves and will feel regret at the time when regret will not be of any benefit to them. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:79أَمْ أَبْرَمُوٓا۟ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّا مُبْرِمُونَ

«Or have they plotted some plan? Then We too are planning.»

Mujāhid said, "They wanted to plot some evil, but We are also planning."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:146.} What Mujāhid said is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 27:50وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًا وَمَكَرْنَا مَكْرًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

«So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.» (27:50).

The idolators were trying their utmost to find ways of refuting the truth with falsehood, but Allāh planned it so that the consequences of that would backfire on them. He said in refutation:

Qur’an 43:80أَمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسْمَعُ سِرَّهُمْ وَنَجْوَىٰهُم

«Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel?» meaning, what they say secretly and openly.

Qur’an 43:80بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيْهِمْ يَكْتُبُونَ

«Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.» means, 'We know what they are doing, and the angels are also recording their deeds, major and minor.'

Qur’an 43:81–89قُلْ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَلَدٌ فَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْعَٰبِدِينَ سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرْهُمْ يَخُوضُوا۟ وَيَلْعَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يُلَٰقُوا۟ يَوْمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَٰهٌ وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَٰهٌ وَهُوَ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمْلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمٌ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ فَٱصْفَحْ عَنْهُمْ وَقُلْ سَلَٰمٌ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ

«81. Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers."»

«82. Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).»

«83. So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.»

«84. It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.»

«85. And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.»

«86. And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession - except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.» «87. And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allāh." How then are they turned away?»

«88. And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!"»

«89. So turn away from them, and say: Salām (peace!) But they will come to know.»

Allāh has no Offspring Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:81قُلْ

«Say» - 'O Muḥammad' -

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

«If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers.» meaning, 'if this were so, then I would worship Him on that basis, because I am one of His servants; I obey all that He commands me and I am not too arrogant or proud to worship Him.' This conditional phrase does not mean that what is described could happen nor that is possible as Allāh says:

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

«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.» (39:4). Allāh says here:

Qur’an 43:82سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ

«Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).» meaning, exalted and sanctified and glorified be the Creator of all things far above having any offspring, for He is Unique, One and Eternally Self-Sufficient. There is none equal to Him or like Him, and He does not have any offspring.

Qur’an 43:83فَذَرْهُمْ يَخُوضُوا۟

«So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense» means, in their ignorance and misguidance,

Qur’an 43:83وَيَلْعَبُوا۟

«and play» in their world,

Qur’an 43:83حَتَّىٰ يُلَٰقُوا۟ يَوْمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ

«until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.»

which is the Day of Resurrection, i.e., then they will come to know what their end and destination will be on that Day.

The Uniqueness of the Lord

Qur’an 43:84وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَٰهٌ وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَٰهٌ

«It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth.»

means, He is the God of those who are in the heavens and the God of those who are on earth; all of them worship Him and are humbled before Him.

Qur’an 43:84وَهُوَ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

«And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.» This Āyah is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 6:3وَهُوَ ٱللَّهُ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَعْلَمُ سِرَّكُمْ وَجَهْرَكُمْ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُونَ

«And He is Allāh in the heavens and on the earth; He knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knows what you earn.» (6:3)

which means, He is the One who is called Allāh in the heavens and on the earth.

Qur’an 43:85وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا

«And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them,»

means, He is their Creator and Sovereign, the One Who is controlling them with none to resist or oppose His rule. Blessed and exalted be He far above the notion of His having a child. He is eternally free of all faults and shortcomings, because He is the Lord, the Exalted, the Almighty, the Sovereign of all things, Who is in control of all affairs.

Qur’an 43:85وَعِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ

«and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour,»

means, no one knows when it will happen except Him.

Qur’an 43:85وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

«and to Whom you (all) will be returned.» means, and each person will be requited for his deeds; if they are good, then he will be rewarded, and if they are bad, then he will be punished.

The Idols have no Power of Intercession

Qur’an 43:86وَلَا يَمْلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ

«And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power»

means, the idols and false gods.

Qur’anٱلشَّفَٰعَةَ

«of intercession» means, they are not able to intercede for them.

Qur’an 43:86إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

«except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.»

This means, but the one who bears witness to the truth has knowledge and insight, so his intercession with Allāh will avail, by His leave.

The Idolators admit that Allāh Alone is the Creator

Qur’an 43:87وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ

«And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allāh." How then are they turned away?»

means, 'if you ask these idolators who associate others in worship with Allāh,'

Qur’an 43:87مَّنْ خَلَقَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ

«who created them, they will surely say: "Allāh."»

means, they will admit that He Alone is the Creator of all things and He has no partner in that. Yet despite that they still worship others alongside Him who have nothing and are able to do nothing. This is the utmost foolishness and stupidity. Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:87فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ

«How then are they turned away?»

The Prophet's Complaint to Allāh

Qur’an 43:88وَقِيلِهِۦ يَٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمٌ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ

«And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!"»

means, Muḥammad ﷺ said this; he complained to his Lord about his people who did not believe in him, and said, 'O Lord, these people do not believe.' This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 25:30وَقَالَ ٱلرَّسُولُ يَٰرَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِى ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ مَهْجُورًا

«And the Messenger will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur'ān."» (25:30).

This is the view of Ibn Mas'ūd, may Allāh be pleased with him, Mujāhid and Qatādah, and this is how Ibn Jarīr interpreted it.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:656.}

Al-Bukhāri said: "Abdullāh – meaning Ibn Mas'ūd, may Allāh be pleased with him – recited (Āyah 88 of Az-Zukhruf):

(وَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ يَا رَبِّ) (وَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ يَا رَبِّ)

«And the Messenger will say: "O my Lord!"»^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri, 8:431.}

Mujāhid said concerning the Āyah:

Qur’an 43:88وَقِيلِهِۦ يَٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمٌ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ

«And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!"»

"Allāh is stating what Muḥammad ﷺ said."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 21:656.} Qatādah said, "These are the words of your Prophet ﷺ, when he complained about his people to his Lord."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 21 :656.}

Qur’an 43:89فَٱصْفَحْ عَنْهُمْ

«So turn away from them,» means, from the idolators.

Qur’an 43:89وَقُلْ سَلَٰمٌ

«and say Salām (peace!)» means, 'do not respond to them in the same evil manner in which they address you; but try to soften their hearts and forgive them in word and deed.'

Qur’an 43:89فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ

«But they will come to know.» This is a warning from Allāh for them. His punishment, which cannot be warded off, struck them, and His religion and His word was supreme. Subsequently Jihād and striving were prescribed until the people entered the religion of Allāh in crowds, and Islām spread throughout the east and the west. And Allāh knows best.

This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat Az-Zukhruf.