The Tafsīr of Sūrat Ad-Dukhān (Chapter - 44)

Which was revealed in Makkah

Qur’an 44:1–18حمٓ وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَٰرَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ بَلْ هُمْ فِى شَكٍّ يَلْعَبُونَ فَٱرْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُّبِينٍ يَغْشَى ٱلنَّاسَ هَٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ رَّبَّنَا ٱكْشِفْ عَنَّا ٱلْعَذَابَ إِنَّا مُؤْمِنُونَ أَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ وَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّبِينٌ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا۟ مُعَلَّمٌ مَّجْنُونٌ إِنَّا كَاشِفُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابِ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُمْ عَآئِدُونَ يَوْمَ نَبْطِشُ ٱلْبَطْشَةَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ إِنَّا مُنتَقِمُونَ وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَجَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ كَرِيمٌ أَنْ أَدُّوٓا۟ إِلَىَّ عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ

In Musnad Al-Bazzār, it is recorded from Abu Aṭ-Ṭufayl 'Āmir bin Wāthilah from Zayd bin Ḥārithah that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said to Ibn Ṣayyād:

Ḥadīthإِنِّي قَدْ خَبَأْتُ خَبْأً فَمَا هُوَ؟

«I am concealing something, what is it?» And the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was concealing Sūrat Ad-Dukhān from him. He (Ibn Ṣayyād) said: "It is Ad-Dukh." The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthاخْسَأْ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ [كَانَ]

«Be off with you! Whatever Allāh wills happens.»^{1Aṭ-Ṭabarāni, 5:88, there is a deficiency in the reporting of this text. The story of Ibn Ṣayyād was recorded by Al-Bukhāri, no. 1354, and Muslim no. 7345, but there is no mention of the Sūrah in question. There are a number of possible explanations for the Ḥadīth besides referring to this Sūrah. See Fatḥ Al-Bāri no. 3055.}

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 44:1–8حمٓ وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَٰرَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

«1. Ḥā Mīm.»

«2. By the manifest Book that makes things clear.»

«3. We sent it down on a blessed night. Verily, We are ever warning.»

«4. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter, Ḥākim.»

«5. As a command from Us. Verily, We are ever sending,»

«6. (As) a mercy from your Lord. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.»

«7. The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if you (but) have a faith with certainty.»

«8. Lā ilāha illā Huwa. He gives life and causes death - your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.»

The Qur'ān was revealed on Laylatul-Qadr

Allāh tells us that He revealed the Magnificent Qur'ān on a blessed night, Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Decree), as He says elsewhere:

Qur’an 97:1إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ

«Verily, We have sent it down in the Night of Al-Qadr» (97:1).

This was in the month of Ramaḍān, as Allāh tells us:

Qur’an 2:185شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ

«The month of Ramaḍān in which was revealed the Qur'ān» (2:185).

We have already quoted the relevant Ḥadīths in (the Tafsīr of) Sūrat Al-Baqarah, and there is no need to repeat them here.

Qur’an 44:3إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ

«Verily, We are ever warning.» means, telling them what is good for them and what is harmful for them, according to Sharī'ah, so that the proof of Allāh may be established against His servants.

Qur’an 44:4فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ

«Therein (that night) is decreed every matter, Ḥākim.»

means, on Laylatul-Qadr, the decrees are transferred from Al-Lawḥ Al-Maḥfūẓ to the (angelic) scribes who write down the decrees of the (coming) year including life span, provision, and what will happen until the end of the year. This was narrated from Ibn 'Umar, Mujāhid, Abu Mālik, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and others among the Salaf.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 22 :9.}

Qur’anحَكِيمٍ

«Ḥākim» means decided or confirmed, which cannot be changed or altered. Allāh says:

Qur’an 44:5أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَآ

«As a command from Us.» meaning, everything that happens and is decreed by Allāh and the revelation that He sends down - it all happens by His command, by His leave and with His knowledge.

Qur’an 44:5إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ

«Verily, We are ever sending,» means, to mankind, sending Messenger who will recite to them the clear signs of Allāh. The need for this was urgent.

Qur’an 44:6–7رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ

«(As) a mercy from your Lord. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them,»

means, the One Who sent down the Qur'ān is the Lord, Creator and Sovereign of the heavens and the earth and everything in between them.

Qur’an 44:7إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ

«if you (but) have a faith with certainty.» Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 44:8لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

«Lā ilāha illā Huwa. He gives life and causes death – your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.» This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 7:158قُلْ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ

«Say: "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allāh – to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Lā ilāha illā Huwa. He gives life and causes death...» (7:158)

Qur’an 44:9–16بَلْ هُمْ فِى شَكٍّ يَلْعَبُونَ فَٱرْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُّبِينٍ يَغْشَى ٱلنَّاسَ هَٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ رَّبَّنَا ٱكْشِفْ عَنَّا ٱلْعَذَابَ إِنَّا مُؤْمِنُونَ أَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ وَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّبِينٌ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا۟ مُعَلَّمٌ مَّجْنُونٌ إِنَّا كَاشِفُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابِ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُمْ عَآئِدُونَ يَوْمَ نَبْطِشُ ٱلْبَطْشَةَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ إِنَّا مُنتَقِمُونَ

«9. Nay! They play about in doubt.»

«10. Then wait you for the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke,»

«11. Covering mankind, this is a painful torment.»

«12. (They will say): "Our Lord! Remove the torment from us, really we shall become believers!"»

«13. How can there be for them an admonition, when a Messenger explaining things clearly has already come to them.»

«14. Then they had turned away from him and said: "(He is) one taught, a madman!"»

«15. Verily, We shall remove the torment for a while. Verily, you will revert.»

«16. On the Day when We shall strike you with the great Baṭshah. Verily, We will exact retribution.»

Alarming the Idolators with News of the Day when the Sky will bring forth a visible Smoke

Allāh says, these idolaters are playing about in doubt, i.e., the certain truth has come to them, but they doubt it and do not believe in it. Then Allāh says, warning and threatening them:

Qur’an 44:10فَٱرْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُّبِينٍ

«Then wait you for the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke.»

It was narrated that Masrūq said, "We entered the Masjid - i.e., the Masjid of Kūfah at the gates of Kindah - and a man was reciting to his companions,

Qur’an 44:10يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُّبِينٍ

«the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke.»

He asked them; 'Do you know what that is?' That is the smoke that will come on the Day of Resurrection. It will take away the hearing and sight of the hypocrites, but for the believers it will be like having a cold.'"

He said, "We came to Ibn Mas'ūd, may Allāh be pleased with him, and told him about that. He was lying down, and he sat up with a start and said, 'Allāh said to your Prophet ﷺ

Qur’an 38:86قُلْ مَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَكَلِّفِينَ

«Say: "No wage do I ask of you for this, nor am I one of the pretenders."» (38:86).

And it is part of knowledge that when a man does not know something, he should say, 'Allāh knows best.' I will tell you a Ḥadīth about that. When the Quraysh did not respond to Islām and they grew stubborn, the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ invoked Allāh against them that they would have years like the years (of drought and famine) of Yūsuf. They became so exhausted and hungry that they ate bones and dead meat. They looked at the sky, but they saw nothing but smoke."^{1Muslim 4:2155.}

According to another report: "A man would look at the sky and he would see nothing between him and the sky except a smoky haze, because of his exhaustion."^{2Muslim 4:2156.}

Qur’an 44:10–11فَٱرْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُّبِينٍ يَغْشَى ٱلنَّاسَ هَٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

«Then wait you for the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke, covering the people, this is a painful torment»

A man came to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and said, "O Messenger of Allāh! Pray to Allāh to send rain to Muḍar, for they are dying. So the Prophet ﷺ prayed for rain for them, and they got rain. Then the Āyah was revealed:

Qur’an 44:15إِنَّا كَاشِفُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابِ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُمْ عَآئِدُونَ

«Verily, We shall remove the torment for a while. Verily, you will revert.»

Ibn Mas'ūd said, "Do you think that the torment will be removed for them on the Day of Resurrection? When they were granted ease, they reverted to their former state. Then Allāh revealed:

Qur’an 44:16يَوْمَ نَبْطِشُ ٱلْبَطْشَةَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ إِنَّا مُنتَقِمُونَ

«On the Day when We shall strike you with the Great Baṭshah. Verily, We will exact retribution.»"

He said, "This means the day of Badr."^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:434.}

Ibn Mas'ūd said, "Five things have come to pass: the smoke, the (defeat of the) Romans, the (splitting of the) moon, the Baṭshah, and the torment."

This Ḥadīth was narrated in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs.^{4Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:434. The "torment" refers to the last Āyah of Sūrat Al-Furqān. See its explanation in volume seven, and no. 4767 of Al-Bukhāri, and it is mentioned again shortly.} It was also recorded by Imām Aḥmad in his Musnad, and by At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasā'i in their (Books of) Tafsīr, and by Ibn Jarīr and Ibn Abi Ḥātim with a number of chains of narration.^{5Aḥmad 1:380; Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:133; An-Nasa'i in Al-Kubrā, 6:455; Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:13, 14.} A number of the Salaf, such as Mujāhid, Abu Al-'Āliyah, Ibrāhīm An-Nakha'i, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and 'Aṭiyah Al-'Awfī concurred with Ibn Mas'ūd's interpretation of this Āyah and his view that the smoke already happened.^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:16.} This was also the view of Ibn Jarīr.

According to the Ḥadīth of Abu Sarīḥah, Ḥudhayfah bin Asīd Al-Ghifāri, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ looked out upon us from a room while we were discussing the Hour. He ﷺ said:

«لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّىٰ تَرَوْا عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ: طُلُوعَ الشَّمْسِ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا، وَالدُّخَانَ، وَالدَّابَّةَ، وَخُرُوجَ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ، وَخُرُوجَ عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَالدَّجَّالَ، وَثَلَاثَةَ خُسُوفٍ: خَسْفٌ بِالْمَشْرِقِ، وَخَسْفٌ بِالْمَغْرِبِ، وَخَسْفٌ بِجَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِ، وَنَارًا تَخْرُجُ مِنْ قَعْرِ عَدَنَ تَسُوقُ النَّاسَ - أَوْ تَحْشُرُ النَّاسَ - تَبِيتُ مَعَهُمْ حَيْثُ بَاتُوا، وَتَقِيلُ مَعَهُمْ حَيْثُ قَالُوا»

«The Hour will not come until you see ten signs. The rising of the sun from the west; the smoke; the beast; the emergence of Ya'jūj and Ma'jūj; the appearance of 'Īsā bin Maryam; the Dajjāl; three cases of the earth collapsing - one in the east, one in the west, and one in the Arabian Peninsula; and a fire which will emerge from the bottom of Aden and will drive the people - or gather the people - stopping with them when they stop to sleep at night or rest during the day.»"

This was recorded only by Muslim in his Ṣaḥīḥ ^{7Muslim 4 :2225.}In the Two Ṣaḥīḥs it was recorded that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said to Ibn Ṣayyād:

Ḥadīthإِنِّي خَبَأْتُ لَكَ خَبْأً

«I am concealing something for you.» He said, It is Ad-Dukh. The Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthاخْسَأْ فَلَنْ تَعْدُوَ قَدْرَكَ

«Be off with you! You cannot get further than your rank.» He said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was concealing from him the words;

Qur’an 44:10فَٱرْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُّبِينٍ

«Then wait you for the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke.»"^{8The last phrase, beginning with "He said..." and mentioning the Āyah is not part of the Ḥadīth in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs as noted earlier. See Fatḥ Al-Bāri 3 :258 ; Muslim 4 :2240 for the narrations.} This indicates that the smoke is yet to appear.

Ibn Ṣayyād was a fortune-teller who heard things through the Jinn, whose speech is unclear, therefore he said, "It is Ad-Dukh," meaning Ad-Dukhān (the smoke). When the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was sure what was happening, that the source of his information was the Shayāṭīn, he ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthاخْسَأْ فَلَنْ تَعْدُوَ قَدْرَكَ

«Be off with you! You cannot get further than your rank.»

There are numerous Marfū' and Mawqūf Ḥadīths, Ṣaḥīḥ, Ḥasan and others, which indicate that the smoke is one of the awaited signs (of the Hour). This is also the apparent meaning of Āyāt in the Qur'ān. Allāh says:

Qur’an 44:10فَٱرْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُّبِينٍ

«Then wait you for the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke.»

meaning, clearly visible, such that all people will see it. According to Ibn Mas'ūd's interpretation, this was a vision which they saw because of their intense hunger and exhaustion. He also interprets the Āyah

Qur’an 44:11يَغْشَى ٱلنَّاسَ

«Covering mankind,» meaning, it covered them and overwhelmed them. But if it was only an illusion which happened to the idolators of Makkah, Allāh would not have said "covering mankind."

Qur’an 44:11هَٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

«this is a painful torment.» means, this will be said to them by way of rebuke. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 52:13–14يَوْمَ يُدَعُّونَ إِلَىٰ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ دَعًّا هَٰذِهِ ٱلنَّارُ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ

«The Day when they will be pushed down by force to the fire of Hell, with a horrible, forceful pushing. This is the Fire which you used to deny.» (52:13-14).

Or some of them will say that to others.

Qur’an 44:12رَّبَّنَا ٱكْشِفْ عَنَّا ٱلْعَذَابَ إِنَّا مُؤْمِنُونَ

«(They will say): "Our Lord! Remove the torment from us, really we shall become believers!"»

means, when the disbelievers witness the punishment of Allāh, they will ask for it to be taken away from them. This is like the Āyāt:

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

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

Qur’an 14:44وَأَنذِرِ ٱلنَّاسَ يَوْمَ يَأْتِيهِمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ فَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَخِّرْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ نُّجِبْ دَعْوَتَكَ وَنَتَّبِعِ ٱلرُّسُلَ أَوَلَمْ تَكُونُوٓا۟ أَقْسَمْتُم مِّن قَبْلُ مَا لَكُم مِّن زَوَالٍ

«And warn mankind of the Day when the torment will come unto them; then the wrongdoers will say: "Our Lord! Respite us for a little while, we will answer Your Call and follow the Messengers!" (It will be said): "Had you not sworn aforetime that you would not leave (the world for the Hereafter).» (14:44)

Allāh says here:

Qur’an 44:13–14أَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ وَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّبِينٌ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا۟ مُعَلَّمٌ مَّجْنُونٌ

«How can there be for them an admonition, when a Messenger explaining things clearly has already come to them. Then they had turned away from him and said: "(He is) one taught, a madman!"»

meaning, 'what further admonition do they need when We have sent them a Messenger with a clear Message and warning? Yet despite that, they turned away from him, opposed him and rejected him, and they said: (He is) one taught (by a human being), a madman.' This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 89:23يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَذَكَّرُ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ

«On that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance (then) avail him?» (89:23)

Qur’an 34:51–52وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ فَزِعُوا۟ فَلَا فَوْتَ وَأُخِذُوا۟ مِن مَّكَانٍ قَرِيبٍ وَقَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلتَّنَاوُشُ مِن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ

«And if you could but see, when they will be terrified with no escape, and they will be seized from a near place. And they will say (in the Hereafter): "We do believe (now);" but how could they receive (faith and its acceptance by Allāh) from a place so far off...» (34:51-52)

Qur’an 44:15إِنَّا كَاشِفُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابِ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُمْ عَآئِدُونَ

«Verily, We shall remove the torment for a while. Verily, you will revert.»

means, 'if We were to remove the torment from you for a while, and send you back to the world, you would go back to your former state of disbelief and denial.' This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 23:75وَلَوْ رَحِمْنَٰهُمْ وَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِم مِّن ضُرٍّ لَّلَجُّوا۟ فِى طُغْيَٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ

«And though We had mercy on them and removed the distress which is on them, still they would obstinately persist in their transgression, wandering blindly.» (23:75)

Qur’an 6:28وَلَوْ رُدُّوا۟ لَعَادُوا۟ لِمَا نُهُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَٰذِبُونَ

«But if they were returned (to the world), they would certainly revert to that which they were forbidden. And indeed they are liars» (6:28)

The Meaning of the "Great Baṭshah"

Qur’an 44:16يَوْمَ نَبْطِشُ ٱلْبَطْشَةَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ إِنَّا مُنتَقِمُونَ

«On the Day when We shall strike you with the great Baṭshah. Verily, We will exact retribution.»

Ibn Mas'ūd interpreted this to mean the day of Badr.^{9Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:22.} This is also the view of a group who agreed with Ibn Mas'ūd, may Allāh be pleased with him, about the meaning of the smoke, as discussed above. It was also narrated from Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, in a report related to him from Al-'Awfī^{10Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:22.} and from Ubayy bin Ka'b, may Allāh be pleased with him.^{11Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:23.} This is possible, but the apparent meaning is that it refers to the Day of Resurrection, although the day of Badr was also a day of vengeance.

Ibn Jarīr said, "Ya'qūb narrated to me; Ibn 'Ulayyah narrated to me, Khālid Al-Hadhdhā' narrated to us, from 'Ikrimah who said, 'Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "Ibn

Qur’an 44:19–39وَأَن لَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِنِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم بِسُلْطَٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ وَإِنِّى عُذْتُ بِرَبِّى وَرَبِّكُمْ أَن تَرْجُمُونِ وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ لِى فَٱعْتَزِلُونِ فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمٌ مُّجْرِمُونَ فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ وَٱتْرُكِ ٱلْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا إِنَّهُمْ جُندٌ مُّغْرَقُونَ كَمْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِن جَنَّٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ وَزُرُوعٍ وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ وَنَعْمَةٍ كَانُوا۟ فِيهَا فَٰكِهِينَ كَذَٰلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَٰهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُنظَرِينَ وَلَقَدْ نَجَّيْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْمُهِينِ مِن فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَالِيًا مِّنَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ وَلَقَدِ ٱخْتَرْنَٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عَلَى ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ مَا فِيهِ بَلَٰٓؤٌا۟ مُّبِينٌ إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ لَيَقُولُونَ إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا مَوْتَتُنَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُنشَرِينَ فَأْتُوا۟ بِـَٔابَآئِنَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ أَهُمْ خَيْرٌ أَمْ قَوْمُ تُبَّعٍ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ أَهْلَكْنَٰهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَٰعِبِينَ مَا خَلَقْنَٰهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

Mas'ūd, may Allāh be pleased with him, said that "the great Baṭshah” is the day of Badr, and I say that it is the Day of Resurrection." This chain of narration is Ṣaḥīḥ to him. This is also the view of Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣri and of 'Ikrimah according to the more authentic of the two reports narrated from him. And Allāh knows best.

Qur’an 44:17–33وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَجَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ كَرِيمٌ أَنْ أَدُّوٓا۟ إِلَىَّ عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ وَأَن لَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِنِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم بِسُلْطَٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ وَإِنِّى عُذْتُ بِرَبِّى وَرَبِّكُمْ أَن تَرْجُمُونِ وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ لِى فَٱعْتَزِلُونِ فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمٌ مُّجْرِمُونَ فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ وَٱتْرُكِ ٱلْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا إِنَّهُمْ جُندٌ مُّغْرَقُونَ كَمْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِن جَنَّٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ وَزُرُوعٍ وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ وَنَعْمَةٍ كَانُوا۟ فِيهَا فَٰكِهِينَ كَذَٰلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَٰهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُنظَرِينَ وَلَقَدْ نَجَّيْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْمُهِينِ مِن فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَالِيًا مِّنَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ وَلَقَدِ ٱخْتَرْنَٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عَلَى ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ مَا فِيهِ بَلَٰٓؤٌا۟ مُّبِينٌ

«17. And indeed We tried before them Fir'awn's people, when there came to them a noble Messenger.»

«18. Saying: "Deliver to me the servants of Allāh. Verily, I am to you a Messenger worthy of all trust."»

«19. "And exalt not yourselves against Allāh. Truly, I have come to you with a manifest authority."»

«20. "And truly, I seek refuge with my Lord and your Lord, lest you should stone me."»

«21. "But if you believe me not, then keep away from me and leave me alone."»

«22. So he (Mūsā) called upon his Lord (saying): "These are indeed the people who are criminals."»

«23. (Allāh said): "Depart you with My servants by night. Surely, you will be pursued."»

«24. "And leave the sea as it is (quiet and divided). Verily, they are a host to be drowned."»

«25. How many of gardens and springs that they (Fir'awn's people) left behind,

«26. And green crops (fields) and goodly places,»

«27. And comforts of life wherein they used to take delight!»

«28. Thus (it was)! And We made other people inherit them.»

«29. And the heavens and the earth wept not for them, nor were they given respite.»

«30. And indeed We saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment,»

«31. From Fir'awn; verily, he was arrogant and was of the excessive .»

«32. And We chose them above the nations (Al-'Ālamīn) with knowledge,»

«33. And granted them signs in which there was a plain trial.»

The Story of Mūsā and Fir'awn, and how the Children of Israel were saved

Allāh tells us, 'before these idolators, We tested the people of Fir'awn, the copts of Egypt.'

Qur’an 44:17وَجَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ كَرِيمٌ

«when there came to them a noble Messenger.»

means, Mūsā, peace be upon him, the one to whom Allāh spoke.

Qur’an 44:18أَنْ أَدُّوٓا۟ إِلَىَّ عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ

«Deliver to me the servants of Allāh.» This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 20:47فَأَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَا تُعَذِّبْهُمْ قَدْ جِئْنَٰكَ بِـَٔايَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَٱلسَّلَٰمُ عَلَىٰ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ

«So let the Children of Israel go with us, and torment them not; indeed, we have come with a sign from your Lord! And peace will be upon him who follows the guidance!"» (20:47)

Qur’an 44:18إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ

«Verily, I am to you a Messenger worthy of all trust.»

means, 'what I convey to you is trustworthy.'

Qur’an 44:19وَأَن لَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ

«And exalt not yourselves against Allāh.» means, 'and do not be too arrogant to follow His signs. Accept His proof and believe in His evidence.' This is like the Āyah:

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

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

Qur’an 44:19إِنِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم بِسُلْطَٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ

«Truly, I have come to you with a manifest authority.»

means, with clear and obvious proof. This refers to the clear signs and definitive evidence with which Allāh sent him.

Qur’an 44:20وَإِنِّى عُذْتُ بِرَبِّى وَرَبِّكُمْ أَن تَرْجُمُونِ

«And truly, I seek refuge with my Lord and your Lord, lest you should stone me.»

Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, and Abu Ṣāliḥ said, "This refers to a verbal assault, which means insults."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:26.} Qatādah said, "Meaning 'stoning' in the literal sense, so that the meaning is: 'I seek refuge with Allāh, Who created me and you, from your making any harmful words or actions reach me.'"^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:27.}

Qur’an 44:21وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ لِى فَٱعْتَزِلُونِ

«But if you believe me not, then keep away from me and leave me alone.»

means, 'then let us leave one another alone and live in peace until Allāh judges between us.' After Mūsā, may Allāh be pleased with him, had stayed among them for a long time, and the proof of Allāh had been established against them, and that only increased them in disbelief and stubbornness, he prayed to his Lord against them, a prayer which was answered. Allāh says:

Qur’an 10:88–89وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ ءَاتَيْتَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَأَهُۥ زِينَةً وَأَمْوَٰلًا فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا رَبَّنَا لِيُضِلُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِكَ رَبَّنَا ٱطْمِسْ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَٱشْدُدْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ قَالَ قَدْ أُجِيبَت دَّعْوَتُكُمَا فَٱسْتَقِيمَا

«And Mūsā said: "Our Lord! You have indeed bestowed on Fir'awn and his chiefs splendor and wealth in the life of this world, our Lord! That they may lead men astray from Your path. Our Lord! Destroy their wealth, and harden their hearts, so that they will not believe until they see the painful torment." Allāh said: "Verily, the invocation of you both is accepted. So you both keep to the straight way."» (10:88-89)

And Allāh says here:

Qur’an 44:22فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمٌ مُّجْرِمُونَ

«So he (Mūsā) called upon his Lord (saying): "These are indeed the people who are criminals."»

Whereupon Allāh commanded him to bring the Children of Israel out from among them, without the command, consent or permission of Fir'awn. Allāh said:

Qur’an 44:23فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ

«Depart you with My servants by night. Surely, you will be pursued.»

This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 20:77وَلَقَدْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى فَٱضْرِبْ لَهُمْ طَرِيقًا فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ يَبَسًا لَّا تَخَٰفُ دَرَكًا وَلَا تَخْشَىٰ

«And indeed We revealed to Mūsā (saying): "Travel by night with My servants and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken nor being afraid (of drowning in the sea)."» (20:77)

Qur’an 44:24وَٱتْرُكِ ٱلْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا إِنَّهُمْ جُندٌ مُّغْرَقُونَ

«And leave the sea as it is (quiet and divided). Verily, they are a host to be drowned.»

When Mūsā and the Children of Israel has crossed the sea, Mūsā wanted to strike it with his staff so that it would go back as it had been, and it would form a barrier between then and Fir'awn and prevent him from reaching them. But Allāh commanded him to leave it as it was, quiet and divided, and gave him the glad tidings that they were a host to be drowned, and that he should not fear either being overtaken by Fir'awn or drowning in the sea. Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said:

Qur’an 44:24وَٱتْرُكِ ٱلْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا

«And leave the sea as it is (quiet and divided).»

means, leave it as it is and keep moving.^{3Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 7:410.} Mujāhid said:

Qur’an 44:24رَهْوًا

«as it is» means, a dry path, as it is. 'Do not command it to go back; leave it until the last of them have entered it.'^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:30.} This was also the view of 'Ikrimah, Ar-Rabī' bin Anas, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Qatādah, Ibn Zayd, Ka'b Al-Aḥbār, Simāk bin Ḥarb and others.^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:30.}

Qur’an 44:25–26كَمْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِن جَنَّٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ وَزُرُوعٍ

«How many of gardens and springs that they left behind. And green crops»

this refers to rivers and wells.

Qur’an 44:26وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ

«and goodly places,» means, fine dwellings and beautiful places. Mujāhid and Sa'īd bin Jubayr said:

Qur’an 44:26وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ

«and goodly places,» means elevated places.^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:32.}

Qur’an 44:27وَنَعْمَةٍ كَانُوا۟ فِيهَا فَٰكِهِينَ

«And comforts of life wherein they used to take delight!»

means, a life which they were enjoying, where they could eat whatever they wanted and wear what they liked, with wealth and glory and power in the land. Then all of that was taken away in a single morning, they departed from this world and went to Hell, what a terrible abode!

Qur’an 44:28كَذَٰلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَٰهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ

«Thus (it was)! And We made other people inherit them.»

namely the Children of Israel.

Qur’an 44:29فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ

«And the heavens and the earth wept not for them,»

means, they had no righteous deeds which used to ascend through the gates of the heavens, which would weep for them when they died, and they had no places on earth where they used to worship Allāh which would notice their loss. So they did not deserve to be given a respite, because of their disbelief, sin, transgression and stubbornness.

Ibn Jarīr recorded that Sa'īd bin Jubayr said, “A man came to Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, and said to him: 'O Abu Al-'Abbās, Allāh says,

Qur’an 44:29فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُنظَرِينَ

«And the heavens and the earth wept not for them, nor were they given respite» –

do the heavens and the earth weep for anybody?' He, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, 'Yes, there is no one who does not have a gate in the heavens through which his provision comes down and his good deeds ascend. When the believer dies, that gate is closed; it misses him and weeps for him, and the place of prayer on earth where he used to pray and remember Allāh also weeps for him. But the people of Fir'awn left no trace of righteousness on the earth and they had no good deeds that ascended to Allāh, so the heavens and the earth did not weep for them.”^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:34.} Al-‘Awfī reported something similar from Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him.^{8Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:35.}

Qur’an 44:30–31وَلَقَدْ نَجَّيْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْمُهِينِ مِن فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَالِيًا مِّنَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ

«And indeed We saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment from Fir'awn; verily, he was arrogant and was of the excessive.»

Here Allāh reminds them of how He saved them from their humiliation and subjugation at the hands of Fir'awn, when they were forced to do menial tasks.

Qur’an 44:31مِن فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَالِيًا

«From Fir'awn; verily, he was arrogant» means, he was proud and stubborn. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 28:4إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ

«Verily, Fir'awn exalted himself in the land» (28:4).

Qur’an 23:46فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا عَالِينَ

«but they behaved insolently and they were people self-exalting» (23:46).

He was one of the excessive and held a foolish opinion of himself.

Qur’an 44:32وَلَقَدِ ٱخْتَرْنَٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عَلَى ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«And We chose them above the nations (Al-'Ālamīn) with knowledge,»

Mujāhid said, "This means that they were chosen above those among whom they lived." Qatādah said, "They were chosen above the other people of their own time, and it was said that in every period there are people who are chosen above others." This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 7:144قَالَ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنِّى ٱصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ

«(Allāh) said: "O Mūsā I have chosen you above men."» (7:144),

which means, above the people of his time. This is also like the Āyah:

Qur’an 3:42وَٱصْطَفَىٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«and (Allāh has) chosen you (Maryam) above the women of the nations (Al-'Ālamīn).» (3:42),

i.e., Maryam was chosen above the women of her time. For Khadījah, may Allāh be pleased with her, is higher than her in status or is equal to her, as was Āsiyah bint Muzāḥim, the wife of Fir'awn. And the superiority of 'Ā'ishah, may Allāh be pleased with her, over all other women is like the superiority of Tharīd over all other dishes.

Qur’an 44:33وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ

«And granted them signs» means clear proofs and extraordinary evidence.

Qur’an 44:33مَا فِيهِ بَلَٰٓؤٌا۟ مُّبِينٌ

«in which there was a plain trial.» means, an obvious test to show who would be guided by it.

Qur’an 44:34–37إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ لَيَقُولُونَ إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا مَوْتَتُنَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُنشَرِينَ فَأْتُوا۟ بِـَٔابَآئِنَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ أَهُمْ خَيْرٌ أَمْ قَوْمُ تُبَّعٍ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ أَهْلَكْنَٰهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ

«34. Verily, these people are saying:»

«35. "There is nothing but our first death, and we shall not be resurrected."»

«36. "Then bring back our forefathers, if you speak the truth!"»

«37. Are they better or the people of Tubba' and those before them? We destroyed them because they were indeed criminals.»

Refutation of Those Who deny the Resurrection

Here Allāh denounces the idolators for their denial of the Resurrection and their belief that there is nothing after this life and no life or resurrection after death, which they based on the fact that their forefathers had died and had not returned. They said, If the resurrection is true,

Qur’an 44:36فَأْتُوا۟ بِـَٔابَآئِنَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ

«Then bring back our forefathers, if you speak the truth!»

This is false evidence and a specious argument, for the resurrection will happen on the Day of Judgement, not in this world; it will happen when this world has ended and ceased to be. Allāh will bring all creatures back, created anew. He will make the evildoers fuel for the fire of Hell, and on that Day you will be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger will be a witness over you. Then Allāh threatens them and warns them of the irresistible torment other idolators like who denied the resurrection, suffered. Such as the people of Tubba', i.e., Saba'. Allāh destroyed them, wreaked havoc upon their land and scattered them here and there throughout the land, as we have already seen in Sūrah Saba'.^{1See volume seven the Tafsīr of Sūrah Saba' (34:15-19).} This was brought about because the idolators denied the Resurrection. Here too, the idolaters are compared to them. They Tubba' were Arab descendants of Qaḥṭān, just as these people (Quraysh) were Arab descendants of 'Adnān. Among the people of Ḥimyar - who are also known as Saba' - when a man became their king, they called him Tubba', just as the title Chosroes was given to the king of Persia, Caesar to the king of the Romans, Fir'awn to the disbelieving ruler of Egypt, Negus to the king of Ethiopia, and so on among other nations.

But it so happened that one of the Tubba' left Yemen and went on a journey of conquest until he reached Samarqand, expanding his kingdom and domain. He is the one who founded Al-Ḥīrah. It is agreed that he passed through Al-Madīnah during the days of Jāhiliyyah. He fought its inhabitants but they resisted him; they fought him by day and supplied him with food by night, so he felt ashamed before them and refrained from harming them. He was accompanied by two Jewish rabbis who advised him and told him that he would never prevail over this city, for it would be the place to which a Prophet would migrate towards the end of time. So he

Qur’an 44:40–59إِنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَصْلِ مِيقَٰتُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِى مَوْلًى عَن مَّوْلًى شَيْـًٔا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ ٱللَّهُ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ ٱلزَّقُّومِ طَعَامُ ٱلْأَثِيمِ كَٱلْمُهْلِ يَغْلِى فِى ٱلْبُطُونِ كَغَلْىِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ خُذُوهُ فَٱعْتِلُوهُ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ ثُمَّ صُبُّوا۟ فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِۦ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ ذُقْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْكَرِيمُ إِنَّ هَٰذَا مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَمْتَرُونَ إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ فِى جَنَّٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ يَلْبَسُونَ مِن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ كَذَٰلِكَ وَزَوَّجْنَٰهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ فَٰكِهَةٍ ءَامِنِينَ لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ إِلَّا ٱلْمَوْتَةَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَوَقَىٰهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكَ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ فَٱرْتَقِبْ إِنَّهُم مُّرْتَقِبُونَ

retreated and took them (the two rabbis) with him to Yemen. When he passed by Makkah, he wanted to destroy the Ka'bah, but they told him not to do that either. They told him about the significance of this House, that it had been built by Ibrāhīm Al-Khalīl, peace be upon him, and that it would become of great importance through that Prophet who would be sent towards the end of time. So he respected it, performed Ṭawāf around it, and covered it with a fine cloth. Then he returned to Yemen and invited its people to follow the religion of guidance along with him. At that time, the religion of Mūsā, peace be upon him, was the religion followed by those who were guided, before the coming of the Messiah, peace be upon him. So the people of Yemen accepted the religion of guidance along with him.

'Abdur-Razzāq recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthمَا أَدْرِي تُبَّعٌ نَبِيًّا كَانَ، أَمْ غَيْرَ نَبِيٍّ

«I do not know whether Tubba' was a Prophet or not.»^{2Al-Baghawi 4:154. It has deficiencies, in the mode of narration and the wording of the text. However, there are a number of authentic narrations that support its general meaning. See Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah 5:251.} It was narrated that Tamīm bin 'Abdur-Raḥmān said: " 'Aṭā' bin Abi Rabāḥ said, 'Do not revile Tubba', for the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ forbade reviling him.'"^{3'Abdur-Razzāq 3:209.} And Allāh knows best.

Qur’an 44:38–42وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَٰعِبِينَ مَا خَلَقْنَٰهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَصْلِ مِيقَٰتُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِى مَوْلًى عَن مَّوْلًى شَيْـًٔا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ ٱللَّهُ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

«38. And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play.»

«39. We created them not except with truth, but most of them know not.»

«40. Verily, the Day of Judgement is the time appointed for all of them -»

«41. The Day when a near relative cannot avail a near relative in aught, and no help can they receive,»

«42. Except him on whom Allāh has mercy. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.»

This World was created for a Wisdom

Here Allāh tells us of His justice, and that He is far above mere play, folly and falsehood. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 38:27وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَٰطِلًا ذَٰلِكَ ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ

«And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire!» (38:27)

Qur’an 23:115–116أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَٰكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ فَتَعَٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْكَرِيمِ

«Did you think that We had created you in play, and that you would not be brought back to Us? So Exalted be Allāh, the True King: Lā ilāha illā Huwa, the Lord of the Supreme Throne!» (23:115-116) Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 44:40إِنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَصْلِ مِيقَٰتُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«Verily, the Day of Judgement is the time appointed for all of them»

This is the Day of Resurrection, when Allāh will judge between all creatures, and He will punish the disbelievers and reward the believers.

Qur’an 44:40مِيقَٰتُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«is the time appointed for all of them» means, He will gather all of them, the first and the last of them.

Qur’an 44:41يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِى مَوْلًى عَن مَّوْلًى شَيْـًٔا

«The Day when a near relative cannot avail a near relative in aught,»

means, no relative will be able to help another relative. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 23:101فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَلَآ أَنسَابَ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَلَا يَتَسَآءَلُونَ

«Then, when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them that Day, nor will they ask of one another.» (23:101)

Qur’an 70:10–11وَلَا يَسْـَٔلُ حَمِيمٌ حَمِيمًا يُبَصَّرُونَهُمْ

«And no friend will ask a friend (about his condition). Though they shall be made to see one another» (70:10-11)

which means, he will not ask his brother about how he is, even though he can see him with his own eyes.

Qur’an 44:41وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ

«and no help can they receive,» means, no relative will help another, and no help will come to him from outside.

Qur’an 44:42إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ ٱللَّهُ

«Except him on whom Allāh has mercy.» means, and nothing will be of any avail that Day except the mercy of Allāh towards His creation.

Qur’an 44:42إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

«Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.» means, he is the Almighty, with immense mercy.

Qur’an 44:43–50إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ ٱلزَّقُّومِ طَعَامُ ٱلْأَثِيمِ كَٱلْمُهْلِ يَغْلِى فِى ٱلْبُطُونِ كَغَلْىِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ خُذُوهُ فَٱعْتِلُوهُ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ ثُمَّ صُبُّوا۟ فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِۦ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ ذُقْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْكَرِيمُ إِنَّ هَٰذَا مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَمْتَرُونَ

«43. Verily, the tree of Zaqqūm»

«44. Will be the food of the sinners.»

«45. Like boiling oil, it will boil in the bellies,»

«46. Like the boiling of scalding water.»

«47. (It will be said:) "Seize him and drag him into the midst of blazing Fire,"»

«48. "Then pour over his head the torment of boiling water."»

«49. "Taste you (this)! Verily, you were (pretending to be) the mighty, the generous."»

«50. "Verily, this is that whereof you used to doubt!"»

The Condition of the Idolators and Their Punishment on the Day of Resurrection

Allāh tells us how He will punish the disbelievers who deny the meeting with Him:

Qur’an 44:43–44إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ ٱلزَّقُّومِ طَعَامُ ٱلْأَثِيمِ

«Verily, the tree of Zaqqūm will be the food of the sinners.»

Those who sinned by their words and in deeds. These are the disbelievers. More than one commentator stated that this referred to Abu Jahl; undoubtedly he is included among those referred to in this Āyah, but it is not specifically about him. Ibn Jarīr recorded that Abu Ad-Dardā' was reciting to a man:

Qur’an 44:43–44إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ ٱلزَّقُّومِ طَعَامُ ٱلْأَثِيمِ

«Verily, the tree of Zaqqūm will be the food of the sinners.»

The man said, "The food of the orphan." Abu Ad-Dardā', may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "Say, the tree of Zaqqūm is the food of the evildoer."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:43.} i.e., he will not have any other food apart from that. Mujāhid said, "If a drop of it were to fall on the earth, it would corrupt the living of all the people of earth."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:43.} A similar Marfū' report has been narrated earlier.

Qur’an 44:45كَٱلْمُهْلِ

«Like boiling oil,» means, like the dregs of oil.

Qur’an 44:45–46يَغْلِى فِى ٱلْبُطُونِ كَغَلْىِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ

«it will boil in the bellies, like the boiling of scalding water.» means, because of its heat and rancidity.

Qur’an 44:47خُذُوهُ

«Seize him» means the disbeliever. It was reported that when Allāh says to the keepers of Hell, "Seize him," seventy thousand of them will rush to seize him.

Qur’an 44:47فَٱعْتِلُوهُ

«and drag him» means, drag him by pulling him and pushing him on his back. Mujāhid said:

Qur’an 44:47خُذُوهُ فَٱعْتِلُوهُ

«Seize him and drag him» means, take him and push him.

Qur’an 44:47إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ

«into the midst of blazing Fire.» means, into the middle of it.

Qur’an 44:48ثُمَّ صُبُّوا۟ فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِۦ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ

«Then pour over his head the torment of boiling water.» This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 22:19–20يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ ٱلْحَمِيمُ يُصْهَرُ بِهِۦ مَا فِى بُطُونِهِمْ وَٱلْجُلُودُ

«boiling water will be poured down over their heads. With it will melt what is within their bellies, as well as (their) skins.» (22:19-20).

The angel will strike him with a hooked rod of iron and split his head open, then he will pour boiling water over his head. It will go down through his body, melting through his stomach and intestines, until it goes through his heels; may Allāh protect us from that.

Qur’an 44:49ذُقْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْكَرِيمُ

«Taste you (this)! Verily, you were (pretending to be) the mighty, the generous.»

means, they (the keepers of Hell) will say that to him by way of ridicule and rebuke. Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk reported that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, said: "This means, you are neither mighty nor generous." And Allāh's saying:

Qur’an 44:50إِنَّ هَٰذَا مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَمْتَرُونَ

«Verily, this is that whereof you used to doubt!» is like His saying:

Qur’an 52:13–15يَوْمَ يُدَعُّونَ إِلَىٰ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ دَعًّا هَٰذِهِ ٱلنَّارُ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ أَفَسِحْرٌ هَٰذَآ أَمْ أَنتُمْ لَا تُبْصِرُونَ

«The Day when they will be pushed down by force to the fire of Hell, with a horrible, forceful pushing. This is the Fire which you used to deny. In this magic, or do you not see?» (52: 13-15) Similarly Allāh said:

Qur’an 44:50إِنَّ هَٰذَا مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَمْتَرُونَ

«Verily, this is that where of you used to doubt!»

Qur’an 44:51–59إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ فِى جَنَّٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ يَلْبَسُونَ مِن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ كَذَٰلِكَ وَزَوَّجْنَٰهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ فَٰكِهَةٍ ءَامِنِينَ لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ إِلَّا ٱلْمَوْتَةَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَوَقَىٰهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكَ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ فَٱرْتَقِبْ إِنَّهُم مُّرْتَقِبُونَ

«51. Verily, those who have Taqwā, will be in place of security.»

«52. Among Gardens and Springs,»

«53. Dressed in Sundus and Istabraq, facing each other,» «54. So (it will be). And We shall marry them to Ḥūr (fair females) with wide lovely eyes,»

«55. They will call therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security;»

«56. They will never taste death therein except the first death, and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire,»

«57. As a bounty from your Lord! That will be the supreme success!»

«58. Certainly, We have made this easy in your tongue, in order that they may remember.»

«59. Wait then; verily, they (too) are waiting.»

The State of Those Who have Taqwā and the Delights They will enjoy in Paradise

When Allāh describes the state of the doomed, He follows that with a description of the life of the blessed. For this reason the Qur'ān is called Al-Mathāni (i.e., oft-repeated).

Qur’an 44:51إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

«Verily, those who have Taqwā,» i.e., those who fear Allāh and are dutiful towards Him in this world,

Qur’an 44:51فِى مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ

«will be in place of security.» means, in the Hereafter, i.e., in Paradise, where they will be safe from death and the fear of leaving it, and from every kind of worry, grief, terror and exhaustion, and from the Shayṭān and his wiles, and from all other troubles and disasters.

Qur’an 44:52فِى جَنَّٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ

«Among Gardens and Springs». This is in direct contrast to the state of the doomed, who will have the tree of Zaqqūm and boiling water.

Qur’an 44:53يَلْبَسُونَ مِن سُندُسٍ

«Dressed in Sundus» means, the finest of silk, such as shirts and the like.

Qur’an 44:53وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ

«and Istabraq» means, silk which is woven with shiny threads, like a splendid garment which is worn over regular clothes.

Qur’anمُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ

«facing each other,» means, sitting on thrones where none of them will sit with his back to anyone else.

Qur’an 44:54كَذَٰلِكَ وَزَوَّجْنَٰهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ

«So (it will be). And We shall marry them to Ḥūr (fair females) with wide lovely eyes,»

This will be a gift in addition to the beautiful wives given to them.

Qur’anلَمْ يَطْمِثْهُنَّ إِنسٌ قَبْلَهُمْ وَلَا جَآنٌّ

«with whom no man or Jinn has had Tamth (sexual intercourse) before them.» (55:56)

Qur’an 55:58كَأَنَّهُنَّ ٱلْيَاقُوتُ وَٱلْمَرْجَانُ

«(In beauty) they are like rubies and Marjān.»^{1It is often translated as "coral". See Ibn Kathīr's comments in volume nine, (55:58).} (55:58)

Qur’an 55:60هَلْ جَزَآءُ ٱلْإِحْسَٰنِ إِلَّا ٱلْإِحْسَٰنُ

«Is there any reward for good other than good?» (55:60)

Qur’an 44:55يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ فَٰكِهَةٍ ءَامِنِينَ

«They will call therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security;»

means, whatever kinds of fruit they ask for will be brought to them, and they will have the security of knowing that this supply will never come to an end or be withheld; these fruits will be brought to them whenever they want.

Qur’an 44:56لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ إِلَّا ٱلْمَوْتَةَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ

«They will never taste death therein except the first death,»

This is an exception which reinforces the negation. The meaning is that they will never taste death there. It was reported in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthيُؤْتَى بِالْمَوْتِ فِي صُورَةِ كَبْشٍ أَمْلَحَ فَيُوقَفُ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ، ثُمَّ يُذْبَحُ، ثُمَّ يُقَالُ: يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ خُلُودٌ فَلَا مَوْتَ، وَيَا أَهْلَ النَّارِ خُلُودٌ فَلَا مَوْتَ

«Death will be brought forth in the image of a fine ram. It will be made to stand between Paradise and Hell, then it will be slaughtered. It will be said, "O people of Paradise, it is eternal, no more death; and O people of Hell, it is eternal, no more death."»^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:282; Muslim 4:2188.}

This Ḥadīth was already quoted in our discussion of Sūrah Maryam. 'Abdur-Razzāq recorded that Abu Sa'īd and Abu Hurayrah said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthيُقَالُ لِأَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ: إِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَصِحُّوا فَلَا تَسْقَمُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَعِيشُوا فَلَا تَمُوتُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَنْعَمُوا فَلَا تَبْأَسُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَشِبُّوا فَلَا تَهْرَمُوا أَبَدًا

«It will be said to the people of Paradise, "It is granted to you that you will be healthy and will never fall ill, you will live and never die, you will enjoy a life of luxury and will never be miserable, you will be youthful and will never grow old."»" This was recorded by Muslim.^{3Muslim 4:2182.}

It was reported that Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthمَنِ اتَّقَى الله دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ، يَنْعَمُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَبْأَسُ، وَيَحْيَا فِيهَا فَلَا يَمُوتُ، لَا تَبْلَى ثِيَابُهُ، وَلَا يَفْنَى شَبَابُهُ

«Whoever has Taqwā of Allāh, he will enter Paradise and enjoy a life of luxury and he will never be miserable. He will live therein and never die, his clothes will never wear out and his youth will never fade.»"^{4Aṭ-Ṭabarāni in Al-Awsaṭ 4895.}

Qur’an 44:56وَوَقَىٰهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ

«and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire,» means, along with this great and eternal blessing, He will also have saved them from the agonizing torment in the depths of Hell, so they will have achieved their desired aim and avoided the thing they feared. Allāh says,

Qur’an 44:57فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكَ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

«As a bounty from your Lord! That will be the supreme success!»

meaning, that will be from His bounty and kindness towards them. It was reported in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthاعْمَلُوا وَسَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا، وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ أَحَدًا لَنْ يُدْخِلَهُ عَمَلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ

«Work and strive hard, and know that no one will enter Paradise by virtue of his deeds.»

They said, "Not even you, O Messenger of Allāh?" He ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthوَلَا أَنَا، إِلَّا أَنْ يَتَغَمَّدَنِيَ اللهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنْهُ وَفَضْلٍ

«Not even me, unless Allāh showers me with His mercy and grace.»^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11 :300 ; Muslim 4:2170.}

Qur’an 44:58فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

«Certainly, We have made this easy in your tongue, in order that they may remember.»

means, 'We have made this Qur'ān, which We have sent down, easy, plain and clear, in your language which is the most eloquent, clear and beautiful of all languages.'

Qur’an 44:58لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

«in order that they may remember.» means, in order that they may understand and know. Despite the fact that it is so plain and clear, there are still people who disbelieve, who stubbornly go against it. Allāh says to His Messenger ﷺ, consoling him and promising him victory, and warning those who reject him that they will be destroyed.

Qur’an 44:59فَٱرْتَقِبْ إِنَّهُم مُّرْتَقِبُونَ

«Wait then; verily, they (too) are waiting.» meaning, 'they will come to know who will be victorious and whose word will prevail in this world and in the Hereafter. For victory will be for you, O Muḥammad, and for your brothers among the Prophets and Messengers, and for the believers who followed you,' as Allāh says:

Qur’an 58:21كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَغْلِبَنَّ أَنَا۠ وَرُسُلِىٓ

«Allāh has decreed: "Verily, it is I and My Messengers who shall be the victorious."» (58:21)

Qur’an 40:51–52إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلْأَشْهَٰدُ يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَهُمُ ٱللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلدَّارِ

«Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth, - the Day when their excuses will be of no profit to wrongdoers. Theirs will be the curse, and theirs will be the evil abode.» (40:51-52)

This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat Ad-Dukhān. All praise and thanks are due to Allāh and in Him is all strength and protection. ☆