The Tafsīr of Sūrah Iqtarabat As-Sā'ah[1] (Chapter - 54)

Which was revealed in Makkah

The Ḥadīth of Abu Wāqid preceded, in which it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ would recite Sūrah Qāf (chapter 53) and Iqtarabat As-Sā'ah (Al-Qamar, chapter 54), during (the 'Īd Prayers of) Al-Aḍḥā and Al-Fiṭr. The Prophet ﷺ used to recite these two Sūrahs during major gatherings and occasions because they contain Allāh's promises and warnings, and information about the origin of creation, Resurrection, Tawḥīd, the affirmation of prophethood, and so forth among the great objectives.

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 54:1–5ٱقْتَرَبَتِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلْقَمَرُ وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ ءَايَةً يُعْرِضُوا۟ وَيَقُولُوا۟ سِحْرٌ مُّسْتَمِرٌّ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ وَكُلُّ أَمْرٍ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَنۢبَآءِ مَا فِيهِ مُزْدَجَرٌ حِكْمَةٌۢ بَٰلِغَةٌ فَمَا تُغْنِ ٱلنُّذُرُ

«1. The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder.» «2. And if they see an Āyah, they turn away and say: "This is magic, Mustamir."» «3. They denied and followed their own lusts. And every matter will be settled.» «4. And indeed there has come to them news wherein there is Muzdajar.» «5. Perfect wisdom, but warners benefit them not.» The Hour draws near; the cleaving of the Moon Allāh informs about the approach of the Last Hour and the imminent end and demise of the world,

Qur’an 16:1أَتَىٰٓ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ

«The Event ordained by Allāh will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it.»(16:1),

Qur’an 21:1ٱقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ

«Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness.»(21:1)

Ḥadīths about the Last Hour There are several Ḥadīths with this meaning. Al-Ḥāfiẓ Abu Bakr Al-Bazzār recorded that Anas said that one day, when the sun was about to set, the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ gave a speech to his Companions, saying,

Ḥadīthوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ! مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا فِيمَا مَضَى مِنْهَا إِلَّا كَمَا بَقِيَ مِنْ يَوْمِكُمْ هٰذَا فِيمَا مَضَى مِنْهُ

«By He in Whose Hand is my soul! Not much of this world is left compared to what has already passed of it, except as much as what is left in this day of yours compared to what has already passed of it.» Anas said, "We could only see a small part of the setting sun at the time."^{1Majma' Az-Zawā'id 10:311.} Another Ḥadīth that supports and explains the above Ḥadīth is recorded by Imām Aḥmad that 'Abdullāh bin 'Umar said, "We were sitting with the Prophet ﷺ while the sun was rising above Qu'ayqa'ān,^{2A hill in Makkah near the Ḥijr of the Ka'bah.} after 'Aṣr. He said,

Ḥadīthمَا أَعْمَارُكُمْ فِي أَعْمَارِ مَنْ مَضَى إِلَّا كَمَا بَقِيَ مِنَ النَّهَارِ فِيمَا مَضَى

«What remains of your time, compared to what has passed, is as long as what remains of this day compared to what has passed of it.»"^{3Aḥmad 2:115.} Imām Aḥmad recorded that Sahl bin Sa'd said that he heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ say,

Ḥadīthبُعِثْتُ أَنَا وَالسَّاعَةُ هٰكَذَا

«I was sent like this with the Last Hour.»

and he pointed with his middle and index finger.^{4Aḥmad 5:338.} The Two Ṣaḥīḥs also recorded this Ḥadīth.^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:355 and Muslim 4:2268.}

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Wahb As-Suwā'ī said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthبُعِثْتُ أَنَا وَالسَّاعَةُ كَهَذِهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ، إِنْ كَادَتْ لَتَسْبِقُنِي

«I was sent just before the Last Hour, like the distance between this and this; the latter almost overtook the former.»

Al-A'mash joined between his index and middle fingers while narrating this Ḥadīth.^{6Aḥmad 4:309.}

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Al-Awzā'ī said that Isma'īl bin 'Ubaydullāh said, "Anas bin Mālik went to Al-Walīd bin 'Abdul-Mālik who asked him about what he heard from the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ about the Last Hour. Anas said, 'I heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ say,

Ḥadīthأَنْتُمْ وَالسَّاعَةُ كَهَاتَيْنِ

«You and the Last Hour are as close as these two (fingers).»'"

Only Imām Aḥmad collected this Ḥadīth.^{7Aḥmad 3:223.} There is proof to support these Ḥadīths in the Ṣaḥīḥ listing, Al-Ḥāshir (literally the Gatherer), among the names of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ; he is the first to be gathered, and all people will be gathered thereafter (for the Day of Judgement).^{8Fatḥ Al-Bāri 6:641.} Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 54:1وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلْقَمَرُ

«and the moon has been cleft asunder.» It occurred during the time of Allāh's Messenger ﷺ, according to the authentic Mutawātir Ḥadīths the scholars agree that the moon was cleft asunder during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, and it was among the clear miracles that Allāh gave him.

Ḥadīths mentioning that the Moon was split

The Narration of Anas bin Mālik

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Anas bin Mālik said, "The people of Makkah asked the Prophet ﷺ for a miracle and the moon was split into two parts in Makkah. Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:1ٱقْتَرَبَتِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلْقَمَرُ

«The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder.»"^{9Aḥmad 3:165.} Muslim also collected this Ḥadīth.^{10Muslim 4:2159.}

Al-Bukhāri recorded that Anas bin Mālik said, "The people of Makkah asked the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ to produce a miracle, and he showed them the splitting of the moon into two parts, until they saw (the mount of) Ḥirā' between them."^{11Fatḥ Al-Bāri 7:221 and 8:484 and Muslim 4:2159.} This Ḥadīth is recorded in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs with various chains of narration.

The Narration of Jubayr bin Muṭ'im

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Jubayr bin Muṭ'im said, "The moon was split into two pieces during the time of Allāh's Prophet ﷺ; a part of the moon was over one mountain and another part over another mountain. So they said, 'Muḥammad ﷺ has taken us by his magic.' They then said, 'If he was able to take us by magic, he will not be able to do so with all people.'"^{12Aḥmad 4:81.} Only Imām Aḥmad recorded this Ḥadīth with this chain of narration.

Al-Bayhaqi used another chain of narration in a similar Ḥadīth he collected in Ad-Dalā'il.^{13Dalā'il An-Nubuwwah 2:268.}

The Narration of ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Abbās

Al-Bukhāri recorded that Ibn ‘Abbās said, “The moon was split during the time of the Prophet ﷺ.”^{14Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:484.} Al-Bukhāri and Muslim collected this Ḥadīth.^{15Fatḥ Al-Bāri 7:221 and Muslim 4:2159.} Ibn Jarīr recorded that Ibn ‘Abbās commented on Allāh’s saying:

Qur’an 54:1–2ٱقْتَرَبَتِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلْقَمَرُ وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ ءَايَةً يُعْرِضُوا۟ وَيَقُولُوا۟ سِحْرٌ مُّسْتَمِرٌّ

«The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder. And if they see a sign, they turn away and say: “This is magic, Mustamir.”»

“This occurred before the Hijrah; the moon was split and they saw it in two parts.”^{16Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:569.}

The Narration of ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Umar

Al-Ḥāfiẓ Abu Bakr Al-Bayhaqi recorded that ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Umar commented on Allāh’s statement:

Qur’an 54:1ٱقْتَرَبَتِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلْقَمَرُ

«The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder.»

“This occurred during the time of Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ; the moon was split in two parts. A part of it was before the mount and a part on the other side. The Prophet ﷺ said,

«اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ»

«O Allāh! Be witness.»”^{17Dalā'il An-Nubuwwah 2:267.}

This is the narration that Muslim and At-Tirmidhi collected.^{18Muslim 4:2158-2159 and Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:175.} At-Tirmidhi said, “Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ.”

The Narration of ‘Abdullāh bin Mas‘ūd

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Ibn Mas‘ūd said, “The moon was split in two parts during the time of Allāh’s Messenger, and they saw its two parts. Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ said, «اشْهَدُوا»

«Be witnesses.»”^{19Aḥmad 1:377.} Al-Bukhāri and Muslim collected this Ḥadīth.^{20Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:483 and Muslim 4:2158.}

Ibn Jarīr recorded that ‘Abdullāh (Ibn Mas‘ūd) said, “I saw the mountain between the two parts of the moon when it was split.”^{21Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:567.} Imām Aḥmad recorded that ‘Abdullāh said, “The moon was split during the time of Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ and I saw the mount between its two parts.”^{22Aḥmad 1:413.}

The Stubbornness of the idolators

Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:2وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ ءَايَةً

«And if they see an Āyah», if they see proof, evidence and a sign,

Qur’an 54:2يُعْرِضُوا۟

«they turn away», they do not believe in it. Rather, they turn away from it, abandoning it behind their backs,

Qur’an 54:2وَيَقُولُوا۟ سِحْرٌ مُّسْتَمِرٌّ

«and say: “This is magic, Mustamir.”» They say, ‘the sign that we saw was magic, which was cast on us.’ Mustamir, means, ‘will soon go away’, according to Mujāhid, Qatādah^{23Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:570.} and several others. The Quraysh said that the cleaving of the moon was false and will soon diminish and fade away,

Qur’an 54:3وَكَذَّبُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ

«They denied and followed their own lusts.», they rejected the truth when it came to them, following the ignorance and foolishness that their lusts and desires called them to.

Allāh’s statement,

Qur’an 54:3وَكُلُّ أَمْرٍ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ

«And every matter will be settled.» means, the good deeds will take their doers to all that is good and righteous, and similarly evil deeds will take their doers to all that is evil, according to Qatādah,^{24Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:572.} while Ibn Jurayj said, “will settle according to its people.”^{25Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 7:673.} Mujāhid commented on the meaning of,

Qur’an 54:3وَكُلُّ أَمْرٍ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ

«And every matter will be settled.» by saying, “On the Day of Resurrection.” Allāh’s statement,

Qur’an 54:4وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَنۢبَآءِ

«And indeed there has come to them news»; in this Qur’ān, there has come to them the news of the earlier nations that disbelieved in their Messengers and the torment, punishment and affliction that befell them,

Qur’an 54:4مَا فِيهِ مُزْدَجَرٌ

«wherein there is Muzdajar», wherein there are warnings and lessons to stop them from idolatry and persisting in denial,

Qur’an 54:5حِكْمَةٌۢ بَٰلِغَةٌ

«Perfect wisdom,» in that Allāh guides whomever He wills and misguides whomever He wills,

Qur’an 54:5فَمَا تُغْنِ ٱلنُّذُرُ

«but warners benefit them not.» but the preaching of warnings does not benefit those upon whom Allāh has written misery and sealed their hearts. Who can guide such people after Allāh? This Āyah is similar to Allāh’s statements,

Qur’an 6:149قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْحُجَّةُ ٱلْبَٰلِغَةُ فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَىٰكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«Say: “With Allāh is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.”»(6:149) and,

Qur’an 10:101وَمَا تُغْنِى ٱلْـَٔايَٰتُ وَٱلنُّذُرُ عَن قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ

«But neither Āyāt nor warners benefit those who believe not.»(10:101)

Qur’an 54:6–8فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ يَوْمَ يَدْعُ ٱلدَّاعِ إِلَىٰ شَىْءٍ نُّكُرٍ خُشَّعًا أَبْصَٰرُهُمْ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَجْدَاثِ كَأَنَّهُمْ جَرَادٌ مُّنتَشِرٌ مُّهْطِعِينَ إِلَى ٱلدَّاعِ يَقُولُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ هَٰذَا يَوْمٌ عَسِرٌ

«6. So withdraw from them. The Day that the caller will call (them) to a terrible thing.» «7. They will come forth, with humbled eyes from (their) graves as if they were locusts spread abroad,» «8. Hastening towards the caller. The disbelievers will say: “This is a hard Day.”»

The terrible End the Disbelievers will meet on the Day of Resurrection

Allāh the Exalted says, ‘O Muḥammad, turn away from these people who, when they witness a miracle, they deny it and say that this is continuous magic.’ Turn away from them and wait until,

Qur’an 54:6يَوْمَ يَدْعُ ٱلدَّاعِ إِلَىٰ شَىْءٍ نُّكُرٍ

«The Day that the caller will call (them) to a terrible thing.» to the Recompense and the afflictions, horrors and tremendous hardships that it brings forth,

Qur’an 54:7خُشَّعًا أَبْصَٰرُهُمْ

«with humbled eyes», their eyes will be covered with disgrace,

Qur’an 54:7يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَجْدَاثِ كَأَنَّهُمْ جَرَادٌ مُّنتَشِرٌ

«they will come forth from (their) graves as if they were locusts spread abroad.»

They will gather towards the area of Reckoning in such haste and crowds, in response to the caller, as if they were crowds of locusts spreading all about. Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:8مُّهْطِعِينَ

«Hastening» meaing hurriedly,

Qur’an 54:8إِلَى ٱلدَّاعِ

«towards the caller.» without being able to hesitate or slow down,

Qur’an 54:8يَقُولُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ هَٰذَا يَوْمٌ عَسِرٌ

Qur’an 54:7–27خُشَّعًا أَبْصَٰرُهُمْ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَجْدَاثِ كَأَنَّهُمْ جَرَادٌ مُّنتَشِرٌ مُّهْطِعِينَ إِلَى ٱلدَّاعِ يَقُولُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ هَٰذَا يَوْمٌ عَسِرٌ كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ فَكَذَّبُوا۟ عَبْدَنَا وَقَالُوا۟ مَجْنُونٌ وَٱزْدُجِرَ فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَغْلُوبٌ فَٱنتَصِرْ فَفَتَحْنَآ أَبْوَٰبَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَآءٍ مُّنْهَمِرٍ وَفَجَّرْنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ عُيُونًا فَٱلْتَقَى ٱلْمَآءُ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرٍ قَدْ قُدِرَ وَحَمَلْنَٰهُ عَلَىٰ ذَاتِ أَلْوَٰحٍ وَدُسُرٍ تَجْرِى بِأَعْيُنِنَا جَزَآءً لِّمَن كَانَ كُفِرَ وَلَقَد تَّرَكْنَٰهَآ ءَايَةً فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ كَذَّبَتْ عَادٌ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا فِى يَوْمِ نَحْسٍ مُّسْتَمِرٍّ تَنزِعُ ٱلنَّاسَ كَأَنَّهُمْ أَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ مُّنقَعِرٍ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ بِٱلنُّذُرِ فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرًا مِّنَّا وَٰحِدًا نَّتَّبِعُهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِذًا لَّفِى ضَلَٰلٍ وَسُعُرٍ أَءُلْقِىَ ٱلذِّكْرُ عَلَيْهِ مِنۢ بَيْنِنَا بَلْ هُوَ كَذَّابٌ أَشِرٌ سَيَعْلَمُونَ غَدًا مَّنِ ٱلْكَذَّابُ ٱلْأَشِرُ إِنَّا مُرْسِلُوا۟ ٱلنَّاقَةِ فِتْنَةً لَّهُمْ فَٱرْتَقِبْهُمْ وَٱصْطَبِرْ

«The disbelievers will say: “This is a hard Day.”», meaing, ‘this is a hard, terrible, horrifying and distressful Day,’

Qur’an 74:9–10فَذَٰلِكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوْمٌ عَسِيرٌ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ غَيْرُ يَسِيرٍ

«Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day - far from easy for the disbelievers.» (74:9-10)

Qur’an 54:9–15كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ فَكَذَّبُوا۟ عَبْدَنَا وَقَالُوا۟ مَجْنُونٌ وَٱزْدُجِرَ فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَغْلُوبٌ فَٱنتَصِرْ فَفَتَحْنَآ أَبْوَٰبَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَآءٍ مُّنْهَمِرٍ وَفَجَّرْنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ عُيُونًا فَٱلْتَقَى ٱلْمَآءُ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرٍ قَدْ قُدِرَ وَحَمَلْنَٰهُ عَلَىٰ ذَاتِ أَلْوَٰحٍ وَدُسُرٍ تَجْرِى بِأَعْيُنِنَا جَزَآءً لِّمَن كَانَ كُفِرَ وَلَقَد تَّرَكْنَٰهَآ ءَايَةً فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«9. The people of Nūḥ denied (their Messenger) before them. They rejected Our servant and said: “A madman!” Wazdujir.»

«10. Then he invoked his Lord (saying): “I have been overcome, so help (me)!”»

«11. So, We opened the gates of the heaven with water Munhamir.»

«12. And We caused springs to gush forth from the earth. So, the waters met for a matter predestined.»

«13. And We carried him on a (ship) made of planks and nails (Dusur)»

«14. Floating under Our Eyes, a reward for him who had been rejected!» «15. And indeed, We have left this as a sign. Then is there any that will remember?» «16. Then how (terrible) was My torment and My warnings?» «17. And We have indeed made the Qur'ān easy to understand and remember; then is there anyone who will remember?»

The Story of the People of Nūḥ and the Lesson from it

Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’anكَذَّبَتْ

«denied» ‘before your people, O Muḥammad,’

Qur’an 54:9قَوْمُ نُوحٍ فَكَذَّبُوا۟ عَبْدَنَا

«the people of Nūḥ. They rejected Our servant» means, they denied him categorically and accused him of madness,

Qur’an 54:9وَقَالُوا۟ مَجْنُونٌ وَٱزْدُجِرَ

«and said: “A madman!” Wazdujir.» Mujāhid said about Wazdujir. “He was driven out accused on account of madness.”^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:576.} It was also said that Wazdujir means, he was rebuked, deterred, threatened and warned by his people saying:

Qur’an 26:116لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ يَٰنُوحُ لَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَرْجُومِينَ

«“If you do not stop O Nūḥ, you will be among those who will be stoned.”» [26:116]

This was said by Ibn Zayd,^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:577.} and it is sound.

Qur’an 54:10فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَغْلُوبٌ فَٱنتَصِرْ

«Then he invoked his Lord (saying): “I have been overcome, so help (me)!”»

meaning, ‘I am weak and cannot overcome or resist my people, so help Your religion!’ Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 54:11فَفَتَحْنَآ أَبْوَٰبَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَآءٍ مُّنْهَمِرٍ

«So, We opened the gates of the heaven with water Munhamir.»

As-Suddi said about Munhamir, “It means abundant.”^{3Al-Qurṭubi 17:131.}

Qur’an 54:12وَفَجَّرْنَا ٱلْأَرْضَ عُيُونًا

«And We caused springs to gush forth from the earth.» means, from every part of the earth, and even ovens in which fire was burning - water and springs gushed forth,

Qur’an 54:12فَٱلْتَقَى ٱلْمَآءُ

«So, the waters met», means, of the heaven and the earth,

Qur’an 54:12عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرٍ قَدْ قُدِرَ

«for a matter predestined.» Ibn Jurayj reported from Ibn ‘Abbās:

Qur’an 54:11فَفَتَحْنَآ أَبْوَٰبَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَآءٍ مُّنْهَمِرٍ

«So, We opened the gates of the heaven with water Munhamir»,

Torrential rain, the only water that fell from the sky before that day and ever since was from clouds. But the sky’s gates were opened on them that day, and therefore, the water that came down was not from clouds. So both the waters (of the earth and the heaven) met according to a matter ordained.”^{4Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 7 :675.} Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:13وَحَمَلْنَٰهُ عَلَىٰ ذَاتِ أَلْوَٰحٍ وَدُسُرٍ

«And We carried him on a (ship) made of planks and nails (Dusur)»,

Ibn ‘Abbās, Sa‘īd bin Jubayr, Al-Quraẓi, Qatādah and Ibn Zayd said that Dusur means nails.^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 22 :580 and Al-Qurṭubi 17 :132.} Ibn Jarīr preferred this view.^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 22 :578.} Allāh’s statement,

Qur’an 54:14تَجْرِى بِأَعْيُنِنَا

«Floating under Our Eyes», means, ‘by Our command and under Our protection and observation,’

Qur’an 54:14جَزَآءً لِّمَن كَانَ كُفِرَ

«a reward for him who had been rejected!» meaning, as recompense for them because of their disbelief in Allāh and as reward for Nūḥ, peace be upon him.

Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 54:15وَلَقَد تَّرَكْنَٰهَآ ءَايَةً

«And indeed, We have left this as a sign.» Qatādah said, “Allāh left the ship of Nūḥ intact until the first generation of this Ummah were able to see it.”^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:582.}

However, it appears that the meaning here is that Allāh kept ships as a sign. For instance, Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 36:41–42وَءَايَةٌ لَّهُمْ أَنَّا حَمَلْنَا ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ وَخَلَقْنَا لَهُم مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ مَا يَرْكَبُونَ

«And a sign for them is that We bore their offspring in the laden ship. And We have created for them of the like thereunto, on which they ride.»(36:41-42),

Qur’an 69:11–12إِنَّا لَمَّا طَغَا ٱلْمَآءُ حَمَلْنَٰكُمْ فِى ٱلْجَارِيَةِ لِنَجْعَلَهَا لَكُمْ تَذْكِرَةً وَتَعِيَهَآ أُذُنٌ وَٰعِيَةٌ

«Verily, when the water rose beyond its limits, We carried you in the boat. That We might make it an admonition for you and that it might be retained by the retaining ears.»(69:11-12)

Allāh’s statement here,

Qur’anفَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«Then is there any that will remember?» means, ‘is there any that will receive admonition and reminder.

Imām Aḥmad recorded that ‘Abdullāh bin Mas‘ūd said, “The Prophet ﷺ recited to me,

Qur’anفَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«Then is there any that will remember?»”^{8Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:485.}

Al-Bukhāri collected a similar Ḥadīth from ‘Abdullāh that he said, “I recited to the Prophet ﷺ

Qur’an 54:15فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

(then is there any that will remember) and the Prophet ﷺ said,^{9Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:484.}

Qur’an 54:15فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«Then is there any that will remember?»”

Allāh’s statement,

Qur’anفَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ

«Then how (terrible) was My torment and My warnings?» means, ‘how terrible was My torment that I inflicted on those who disbelieved in Me and denied My Messengers, who did not heed to My warnings? How was My help that I extended to My Messengers and the revenge exerted on their behalf,’

Qur’anوَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ

«And We have indeed made the Qur’ān easy to understand and remember»; meaning, ‘We have made the Qur’ān easy to recite and comprehend for those who seek these traits, to remind mankind,’ as Allāh said,

Qur’an 38:29كِتَٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

«(This is) a Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its Āyāt, and that men of understanding may remember.»(38:29),

Qur’an 19:97فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ قَوْمًا لُّدًّا

«So We have made this (the Qur’ān) easy in your own tongue, only that you may give glad tidings to those who have Taqwā and warn with it the most quarrelsome people.»(19:97)

Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:17فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«then is there any that will remember», meaning, ‘is there anyone who will remember through this Qur’ān, which We made easy to memorize and easy to understand?' Muḥammad bin Ka'b Al-Quraẓi commented on this Āyah, “Is there anyone who will avoid evil?”^{10Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 7 :676.}

Qur’an 54:18–22كَذَّبَتْ عَادٌ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا فِى يَوْمِ نَحْسٍ مُّسْتَمِرٍّ تَنزِعُ ٱلنَّاسَ كَأَنَّهُمْ أَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ مُّنقَعِرٍ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«18. ‘Ād denied; then how was My torment and My warnings?» «19. Verily, We sent against them a violently cold (Ṣarṣar) wind on a day of calamity, continuous.» «20. Plucking out men as if they were uprooted stems of date palms.» «21. Then, how was My torment and My warnings?» «22. And We have indeed made the Qur’ān easy to understand and remember; then is there any that will remember?»

The Story of ‘Ād

Allāh states that ‘Ād, the People of Hūd, denied their Messenger, just as the people of Nūḥ did. So, Allāh sent on them,

Qur’an 54:19عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا

«against them a violently cold (Ṣarṣar) wind», means, a bitterly cold and furious wind,

Qur’an 54:19فِى يَوْمِ نَحْسٍ

«on a day of calamity», against them, according to Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Qatādah and As-Suddi,^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:587.}

Qur’an 54:19مُّسْتَمِرٍّ

«continuous», upon them because the calamity, torment and destruction that they suffered in this life on that day continued with that of the Hereafter,

Qur’an 54:20تَنزِعُ ٱلنَّاسَ كَأَنَّهُمْ أَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ مُّنقَعِرٍ

«Plucking out men as if they were uprooted stems of date palms.»

The wind would pluck one of them and raise him high, until he could no longer be seen, and then violently send him down on his head to the ground. His head would be smashed and only his body would be left, headless,

Qur’an 54:20–22كَأَنَّهُمْ أَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ مُّنقَعِرٍ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«as if they were uprooted stems of date palms. Then, how was My torment and My warnings? And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember; then is there any that will remember?»

Qur’an 54:23–32كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ بِٱلنُّذُرِ فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرًا مِّنَّا وَٰحِدًا نَّتَّبِعُهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِذًا لَّفِى ضَلَٰلٍ وَسُعُرٍ أَءُلْقِىَ ٱلذِّكْرُ عَلَيْهِ مِنۢ بَيْنِنَا بَلْ هُوَ كَذَّابٌ أَشِرٌ سَيَعْلَمُونَ غَدًا مَّنِ ٱلْكَذَّابُ ٱلْأَشِرُ إِنَّا مُرْسِلُوا۟ ٱلنَّاقَةِ فِتْنَةً لَّهُمْ فَٱرْتَقِبْهُمْ وَٱصْطَبِرْ وَنَبِّئْهُمْ أَنَّ ٱلْمَآءَ قِسْمَةٌۢ بَيْنَهُمْ كُلُّ شِرْبٍ مُّحْتَضَرٌ فَنَادَوْا۟ صَاحِبَهُمْ فَتَعَاطَىٰ فَعَقَرَ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ صَيْحَةً وَٰحِدَةً فَكَانُوا۟ كَهَشِيمِ ٱلْمُحْتَظِرِ وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«23. Thamūd denied the warnings.» «24. And they said: “A man, alone among us - shall we follow him? Truly, then we should be in error and distress!”» «25. “Is it that the Reminder is sent to him alone from among us? Nay, he is an insolent liar!”» «26. Tomorrow they will come to know who is the liar, the insolent one!» «27. Verily, We are sending the she-camel as a test for them. So watch them, and be patient!» «28. And inform them that the water is to be shared between (her and) them, each one's right to drink being established (by turns).» «29. But they called their comrade and he took (a sword) and killed (her).» «30. Then, how was My torment and My warnings?» «31. Verily, We sent against them a single Ṣayḥah, and they became like straw Al-Muḥtaẓir.» «32. And indeed, We have made the Qur’ān easy to understand and remember; then is there any that will remember?»

The Story of Thamūd

Allāh states here that the people of Thamūd denied their Messenger Ṣāliḥ,

Qur’an 54:24فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرًا مِّنَّا وَٰحِدًا نَّتَّبِعُهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِذًا لَّفِى ضَلَٰلٍ وَسُعُرٍ

«And they said: “A man, alone among us - shall we follow him? Truly, then we should be in error and distress!”»

They said, ‘We would have earned failure and loss if we all submitted to a man from among us.’ They were amazed that the Reminder was sent to him alone among them, and therefore, accused him of being a liar,

Qur’an 54:25بَلْ هُوَ كَذَّابٌ أَشِرٌ

«Nay, he is an insolent liar!», means, he has tresspassed the limits in his lies. Allāh the Exalted responded,

Qur’an 54:26سَيَعْلَمُونَ غَدًا مَّنِ ٱلْكَذَّابُ ٱلْأَشِرُ

«Tomorrow they will come to know who is the liar, the insolent one!»,

thus warning and threatening them and delivering a sure promise to them,

Qur’an 54:27إِنَّا مُرْسِلُوا۟ ٱلنَّاقَةِ فِتْنَةً لَّهُمْ

«Verily, We are sending the she-camel as a test for them.»

To test and try the people of Thamūd, Allāh sent to them a superb, pregnant female camel that emerged from solid rock, according to their request, so that it would become a proof against them from Allāh, the Exalted. Thereafter, they were supposed to believe in what was brought to them by Ṣāliḥ, peace be upon him. Allāh ordered His servant and Messenger Ṣāliḥ,

Qur’an 54:27فَٱرْتَقِبْهُمْ وَٱصْطَبِرْ

«So watch them, and be patient!» Allāh commanded, 'await, O Ṣāliḥ, and see what will become of them and be patient; verily the better end will be yours and you will have success in this life and the Hereafter,'

Qur’an 54:28وَنَبِّئْهُمْ أَنَّ ٱلْمَآءَ قِسْمَةٌۢ بَيْنَهُمْ

«And inform them that the water is to be shared between them» one day for her to drink and one day for them to drink,

Qur’an 26:155قَالَ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةٌ لَّهَا شِرْبٌ وَلَكُمْ شِرْبُ يَوْمٍ مَّعْلُومٍ

«He said: "Here is a she-camel: it has a right to drink, and you have a right to drink (water) on a day, known."» (26:155) Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 54:28كُلُّ شِرْبٍ مُّحْتَضَرٌ

«each one's right to drink being established.» Mujāhid said, "When she did not drink, they would drink the water, and when she drank, they would drink her milk." ^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 22:592.}Allāh the Exalted said;

Qur’an 54:29فَنَادَوْا۟ صَاحِبَهُمْ فَتَعَاطَىٰ فَعَقَرَ

«But they called their comrade and he took and killed.» According to the Scholars of Tafsīr, his name was Qudār bin Sālif; he was the evilest among them,

Qur’an 91:12إِذِ ٱنۢبَعَثَ أَشْقَىٰهَا

«When the most wicked man among them went forth (to kill the she-camel).»(91:12) Allāh said here,

Qur’an 54:29فَتَعَاطَىٰ

«and he took» meaning to harm,

Qur’an 54:29–30فَعَقَرَ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ

«and killed (her). Then, how was My torment and My warnings?﴾,

‘I tormented them, so how was the torment I sent on them

Qur’an 54:28–49وَنَبِّئْهُمْ أَنَّ ٱلْمَآءَ قِسْمَةٌۢ بَيْنَهُمْ كُلُّ شِرْبٍ مُّحْتَضَرٌ فَنَادَوْا۟ صَاحِبَهُمْ فَتَعَاطَىٰ فَعَقَرَ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ صَيْحَةً وَٰحِدَةً فَكَانُوا۟ كَهَشِيمِ ٱلْمُحْتَظِرِ وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ لُوطٍۭ بِٱلنُّذُرِ إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ حَاصِبًا إِلَّآ ءَالَ لُوطٍ نَّجَّيْنَٰهُم بِسَحَرٍ نِّعْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى مَن شَكَرَ وَلَقَدْ أَنذَرَهُم بَطْشَتَنَا فَتَمَارَوْا۟ بِٱلنُّذُرِ وَلَقَدْ رَٰوَدُوهُ عَن ضَيْفِهِۦ فَطَمَسْنَآ أَعْيُنَهُمْ فَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ وَلَقَدْ صَبَّحَهُم بُكْرَةً عَذَابٌ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ فَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ ٱلنُّذُرُ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا كُلِّهَا فَأَخَذْنَٰهُمْ أَخْذَ عَزِيزٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ أَكُفَّارُكُمْ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكُمْ أَمْ لَكُم بَرَآءَةٌ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ أَمْ يَقُولُونَ نَحْنُ جَمِيعٌ مُّنتَصِرٌ سَيُهْزَمُ ٱلْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ ٱلدُّبُرَ بَلِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَىٰ وَأَمَرُّ إِنَّ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ وَسُعُرٍ يَوْمَ يُسْحَبُونَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ ذُوقُوا۟ مَسَّ سَقَرَ إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ

because of their disbelief in Me and denying My Messenger?'

Qur’an 54:31إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ صَيْحَةً وَٰحِدَةً فَكَانُوا۟ كَهَشِيمِ ٱلْمُحْتَظِرِ

«Verily, We sent against them a single Ṣayḥah, and they became like straw Al-Muḥtaẓir.» They all perished and none of them remained. They were no more, they died out, just as plants and grass dry and die out. As-Suddi said that they became like the dry grass in the desert when it becomes burned and the wind scatters it all about. Ibn Zayd said, "The Arabs used to erect fences (Ḥiẓar, from which the word, Al-Muḥtaẓir, is derived) made of dried bushes, around their camels and cattle, so Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:31كَهَشِيمِ ٱلْمُحْتَظِرِ

«like straw Al-Muḥtaẓir.»

Qur’an 54:33–40كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ لُوطٍۭ بِٱلنُّذُرِ إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ حَاصِبًا إِلَّآ ءَالَ لُوطٍ نَّجَّيْنَٰهُم بِسَحَرٍ نِّعْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى مَن شَكَرَ وَلَقَدْ أَنذَرَهُم بَطْشَتَنَا فَتَمَارَوْا۟ بِٱلنُّذُرِ وَلَقَدْ رَٰوَدُوهُ عَن ضَيْفِهِۦ فَطَمَسْنَآ أَعْيُنَهُمْ فَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ وَلَقَدْ صَبَّحَهُم بُكْرَةً عَذَابٌ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ فَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«33. The people of Lūṭ denied the warnings.» «34. Verily, We sent against them Ḥāṣib (a violent storm of stones), except the family of Lūṭ, them We saved in the last hour of the night,»

«35. As a favor from Us. Thus do We reward him who gives thanks.»

«36. And he indeed had warned them of Our punishment, but they doubted the warnings!»

«37. And they indeed sought to shame his guests. So, We blinded their eyes (saying), "Then taste you My torment and My warnings."»

«38. And verily, an abiding torment seized them early in the morning.»

«39. Then taste you My torment and My warnings.»

«40. And indeed, We have made the Qur'ān easy to understand and remember; then is there any that will remember?»

The Story of the People of the Prophet Lūṭ

Allāh the Exalted states that the people of Lūṭ defied and denied their Messenger and committed sodomy, the awful immoral sin that no people in the history of mankind had committed before. This is why Allāh destroyed them with a type of torment that He never inflicted upon any nation before them. Allāh the Exalted commanded Jibrīl, peace be upon him, to raise their cities to the sky and then turn them upside down over them, followed by stones made of marked Sijjīl.^{1See the Tafsīr of Sūrah Hūd.} So He said here:

Qur’an 54:34إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ حَاصِبًا إِلَّآ ءَالَ لُوطٍ نَّجَّيْنَٰهُم بِسَحَرٍ

«Verily, We sent against them Ḥāṣib (a violent storm of stones) except the family of Lūṭ, them We saved in the last hour of the night.»

They left the city in the last part of the night and were saved from the torment that struck their people, none of whom believed in Lūṭ. And even Lūṭ's wife suffered the same end as her people. Allāh's Prophet Lūṭ left Sodom with his daughters in safety, unharmed. Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:35–36كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى مَن شَكَرَ وَلَقَدْ أَنذَرَهُم بَطْشَتَنَا

«Thus do We reward him who gives thanks. And he indeed had warned them of Our punishment,»

meaning, before the torment struck his people, he warned them of Allāh's torment and punishment. They did not heed the warning, nor listen to Lūṭ, but instead doubted and disputed the warning.

Qur’an 54:37وَلَقَدْ رَٰوَدُوهُ عَن ضَيْفِهِۦ

«And they indeed sought to shame his guests» that is the night the angels Jibrīl, Mīkā'īl and Isrāfīl came to him in the shape of handsome young men, as a test from Allāh for Lūṭ's people. Lūṭ hosted his guests, while his wife, the evil old one, sent a message to her people informing them of Lūṭ's guests. They came to him in haste from every direction, and Lūṭ had to close the door in their faces. They came during the night and tried to break the door; Lūṭ tried to fend them off, while shielding his guests from them, saying,

Qur’an 15:71هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِىٓ إِن كُنتُمْ فَٰعِلِينَ

«These are my daughters, if you must act (so).» (15:71), in reference to their women,

Qur’an 11:79قَالُوا۟ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا لَنَا فِى بَنَاتِكَ مِنْ حَقٍّ

«They said: "Surely, you know that we have neither any desire nor need of your daughters!"»(11:79),

meaning, 'we do not have any desire for women,'

Qur’an 11:79وَإِنَّكَ لَتَعْلَمُ مَا نُرِيدُ

«and indeed you know well what we want!»(11:79)

When the situation became serious and they insisted on coming in, Jibrīl went out to them and struck their eyes with the tip of his wing, causing them to lose their sight. They went back feeling for the walls to guide them, threatening Lūṭ with what would befall him in the morning. Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 54:38وَلَقَدْ صَبَّحَهُم بُكْرَةً عَذَابٌ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ

«And verily, an abiding torment seized them early in the morning.» meaning, a torment that they had no way of escaping or avoiding,

Qur’an 54:39–40فَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«Then taste you My torment and My warnings. And indeed, We have made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember; then is there any that will remember?»

Qur’an 54:41–46وَلَقَدْ جَآءَ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ ٱلنُّذُرُ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا كُلِّهَا فَأَخَذْنَٰهُمْ أَخْذَ عَزِيزٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ أَكُفَّارُكُمْ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكُمْ أَمْ لَكُم بَرَآءَةٌ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ أَمْ يَقُولُونَ نَحْنُ جَمِيعٌ مُّنتَصِرٌ سَيُهْزَمُ ٱلْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ ٱلدُّبُرَ بَلِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَىٰ وَأَمَرُّ

«41. And indeed, warnings came to the people of Fir'awn.»

«42. (They) denied all Our signs, so We seized them with a punishment of the Almighty, All-Capable.»

«43. Are your disbelievers better than these? Or have you immunity in the Divine Scriptures?»

«44. Or say they: "We are a great multitude, victorious?"»

«45. Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs.»

«46. Nay, but the Hour is their appointed time, and the Hour will be more grievous and more bitter.»

The Story of Fir'awn and His People

Allāh the Exalted narrates to us the story of Fir'awn and his people. A Messenger came to them from Allāh, Mūsā supported by his brother Hārūn. Their Messengers delivered good news if they believe, and a warning if they rejected the Message. Allāh supported Mūsā and Hārūn with tremendous miracles and great signs, but Fir'awn and his people rejected all of them. Allāh took them the way the All-Mighty, the All-Capable would; He destroyed them all leaving none surviving to tell the story of what happened to them.

Advising and Threatening the Quraysh

Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:43أَكُفَّارُكُمْ

«Are your disbelievers» meaning, 'O idolators of the Quraysh,'

Qur’an 54:43خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكُمْ

«better than these?» meaning better than the nations that were mentioned here, who were destroyed on account of their disbelief in the Messengers and rejecting the Scriptures. 'Are you better than these?'

Qur’an 54:43أَمْ لَكُم بَرَآءَةٌ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ

«Or have you immunity in the Divine Scriptures?»,

'do you have immunity from Allāh that the torment and punishment will not touch you?' Allāh said about the Quraysh,

Qur’an 54:44أَمْ يَقُولُونَ نَحْنُ جَمِيعٌ مُّنتَصِرٌ

«Or say they: "We are a great multitude, victorious?"» stating that they believed they will support each other and their great gathering will avail them against those who intend to harm them. Allāh the Exalted responded,

Qur’an 54:45سَيُهْزَمُ ٱلْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ ٱلدُّبُرَ

«Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs.» affirming that their gathering shall scatter, and they shall be defeated. Al-Bukhāri recorded that Ibn 'Abbās said, "The Prophet ﷺ, while in a dome-shaped tent on the day of the battle of Badr, said,

Ḥadīthأَنْشُدُكَ عَهْدَكَ وَوَعْدَكَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ شِئْتَ لَمْ تُعْبَدْ بَعْدَ الْيَوْمِ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَبَدًا

«O Allāh! I ask you for the fulfillment of Your covenant and promise. O Allāh! If You wish (to destroy the believers), You will never be worshipped on the earth after today.» Abu Bakr caught him by the hand and said, This is sufficient, O Allāh's Messenger! You have sufficiently asked and petitioned Allāh.' The Prophet ﷺ was clad in his armor at that time and went out, saying,

Qur’an 54:45–46سَيُهْزَمُ ٱلْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ ٱلدُّبُرَ بَلِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَىٰ وَأَمَرُّ

Arabic quotation as printed; not matched to Tanzil, so not shown as the Qur’anوَمَآ أَمْرُنَآ إِلَّا وَٰحِدَةٌ كَلَمْحٍۭ بِٱلْبَصَرِ وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَآ أَشْيَاعَكُمْ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ فَعَلُوهُ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ وَكُلُّ صَغِيرٍ وَكَبِيرٍ مُّسْتَطَرٌ إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّٰتٍ وَنَهَرٍ فِى مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍۭ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَّمَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ عَلَّمَهُ ٱلْبَيَانَ ٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ بِحُسْبَانٍ وَٱلنَّجْمُ وَٱلشَّجَرُ يَسْجُدَانِ وَٱلسَّمَآءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ ٱلْمِيزَانَ أَلَّا تَطْغَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْمِيزَانِ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلْوَزْنَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا۟ ٱلْمِيزَانَ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَضَعَهَا لِلْأَنَامِ فِيهَا فَٰكِهَةٌ وَٱلنَّخْلُ ذَاتُ ٱلْأَكْمَامِ وَٱلْحَبُّ ذُو ٱلْعَصْفِ وَٱلرَّيْحَانُ فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن صَلْصَٰلٍ كَٱلْفَخَّارِ وَخَلَقَ ٱلْجَآنَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ مِّن نَّارٍ فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ

«Their multitude will be put to flight and they will show their backs. Nay, but the Hour is their appointed time and that Hour will be more grievous and more bitter.»"^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:485-486.}

Al-Bukhāri also recorded that Yūsuf bin Māhak said, "I was with the Mother of the faithful, 'Ā'ishah, when she said, 'When I was still a young playful girl in Makkah, this Āyah was revealed to Muḥammad ﷺ,

Qur’an 54:46بَلِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَىٰ وَأَمَرُّ

«Nay, but the Hour is their appointed time and that Hour will be more grievous and more bitter.»"

This is the abridged narration that Al-Bukhāri collected, but he also collected a longer narration of it in the Book of the Virtues of the Qur'ān.^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:486 and 8:655.} Muslim did not collect this Ḥadīth.

Qur’an 54:47–55إِنَّ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ وَسُعُرٍ يَوْمَ يُسْحَبُونَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ ذُوقُوا۟ مَسَّ سَقَرَ إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ وَمَآ أَمْرُنَآ إِلَّا وَٰحِدَةٌ كَلَمْحٍۭ بِٱلْبَصَرِ وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَآ أَشْيَاعَكُمْ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ فَعَلُوهُ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ وَكُلُّ صَغِيرٍ وَكَبِيرٍ مُّسْتَطَرٌ إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّٰتٍ وَنَهَرٍ فِى مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍۭ

«47. Verily, the criminals are in error and will burn.» «48. The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire (it will be said to them): "Taste you the touch of Hell!"»

«49. Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.»

«50. And Our commandment is but one as the twinkling of an eye.»

«51. And indeed, We have destroyed your likes; then is there any that will remember?»

«52. And everything they have done is noted in Az-Zubur.»

«53. And everything, small and large, is written down.»

«54. Verily, those who have Taqwā, will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers.»

«55. In a seat of truth, near the Muqtadir King.»

The Destination of the Criminals

Allāh the Exalted states that the criminals are misguided away from the truth and engulfed in confusion, because of the doubts and uncertainty they are in. This description befits every disbeliever and innovator of all types and forms of sects. Allāh the Exalted said,

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

«The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire»,

meaning, just as they were consumed in doubt, suspicion and hesitation, they ended up in the Fire. And just as they were misguided, they will end up being dragged on their faces, unaware of where they will be taken. They will be admonished and criticized,

Qur’an 54:48ذُوقُوا۟ مَسَّ سَقَرَ

«"Taste you the touch of Hell!"»

Everything was created with Qadar

Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 54:49إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ

«Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.» is similar to several other Āyāt,

Qur’an 25:2وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ تَقْدِيرًا

«He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measurements (Faqaddarahu Taqdīr).» (25:2) and,

Qur’an 87:1–3سَبِّحِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ ٱلْأَعْلَى ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ وَٱلَّذِى قَدَّرَ فَهَدَىٰ

«Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High. Who has created (everything), and then proportioned it. And Who has measured (Qaddara) and then guided.»(87:1-3),

i.e., He measured out the total sum (Qadar) of everything and then guided the creation to it. The Imāms of the Sunnah relied on this honorable Āyah as evidence that Allāh created the creation with destined limits before they were created. He knew everything that will occur before it occurred and recorded everything that will occur, before they occurred. They used this Āyah and similar Āyāt and Ḥadīths to refute the Qadariyyah sect, who started their sect during the latter time of the Companions. I mentioned this subject in detail in my explanation on the chapter on faith of Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhāri. I will mention here some Ḥadīths pertaining to this honorable Āyah.

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "The idolators of the Quraysh came to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ arguing with him and discounting the Qadar. This Āyah was revealed,

Qur’an 54:48–49يَوْمَ يُسْحَبُونَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ ذُوقُوا۟ مَسَّ سَقَرَ إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ

«The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire: "Taste you the touch of Hell!" Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.»"^{1Aḥmad 1:444.}

Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mājah collected this Ḥadīth.^{2Muslim 4:2046, Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:176 and Ibn Mājah 1:32.} Al-Bazzār recorded that 'Amr bin Shu'ayb said that his father narrated that his grandfather said, "These Āyāt were revealed about those who deny Al-Qadar,

Qur’an 54:47–49إِنَّ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ وَسُعُرٍ يَوْمَ يُسْحَبُونَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ ذُوقُوا۟ مَسَّ سَقَرَ إِنَّا

Qur’an 54:49كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ

«Verily, the criminals are in error and will burn. The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire: "Taste you the touch of Hell!" Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.»"^{3Kashf Al-Astār 3:72, there is a slight deficiency in its chain of narration.}

Ibn Abi Ḥātim also recorded that Zurārah said that his father said that the Prophet ﷺ recited this Āyah,

Qur’an 54:48–49ذُوقُوا۟ مَسَّ سَقَرَ إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ

«"Taste you the touch of Hell!" Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.»

and then said,

Ḥadīthنَزَلَتْ فِي أُنَاسٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِي يَكُونُونَ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ يُكَذِّبُونَ بِقَدَرِ اللَّهِ

«These Āyāt were revealed about some members of my Ummah. They will come before the end of time and deny Al-Qadar.»^{4Aṭ-Ṭabarāni 5:276.}

Aṭā' bin Abi Rabāḥ said, "I went to Ibn 'Abbās and found him drawing water from the well of Zamzam. The bottom of his clothes were wet with the water of Zamzam and I said to him, They talked about Al-Qadar (some denied it).' He asked, 'Have they done this?' I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'By Allāh! This Āyah was revealed only about them,

Qur’an 54:48–49ذُوقُوا۟ مَسَّ سَقَرَ إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ

«"Taste you the touch of Hell!" Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.»

They are the worst members of this Ummah. Do not visit those who fall ill among them or pray the Funeral prayer for those among them who die. If I saw one of them, I would pluck out his eyes with these two fingers of mine.'"^{5Ibn Abi Ḥātim no. 18715, Juz' Al-Ḥasan bin 'Arafah 46.}

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Nāfi' said, " 'Abdullāh bin 'Umar had a friend in the area of Ash-Shām who used to write to him. 'Abdullāh bin 'Umar wrote to him, 'I was told that you started talking about Al-Qadar. Therefore, do not dare write to me any more. I heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ say,

Ḥadīthسَيَكُونُ فِي أُمَّتِي أَقْوَامٌ يُكَذِّبُونَ بِالْقَدَرِ

«There will be some members of my Ummah who will deny Al-Qadar.»"^{6Aḥmad 2:90.} Abu Dāwud collected this Ḥadīth from Aḥmad bin Ḥanbal.^{7Abu Dāwud 5:20.} Imām Aḥmad recorded that 'Abdullāh bin 'Umar said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthكُلُّ شَيْءٍ بِقَدَرٍ حَتَّى الْعَجْزُ وَالْكَيْسُ

«Every thing is predetermined, even laziness and intelligence.»^{8Aḥmad 2:110.}

Muslim collected this Ḥadīth using a chain of narration through Imām Mālik.^{9Muslim 4:2045.} There is also an authentic Ḥadīth in which the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ وَلَا تَعْجِزْ، فَإِنْ أَصَابَكَ أَمْرٌ فَقُلْ: قَدَّرَ اللَّهُ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ، وَلَا تَقُلْ: لَوْ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ كَذَا لَكَانَ كَذَا، فَإِنَّ لَوْ تَفْتَحُ عَمَلَ الشَّيْطَانِ

«Seek the help of Allāh and do not succumb to feebleness. And when an affliction strikes you, say, "Allāh has decreed this, and He does as He wills." Do not say, "Had I done this or that, this or that would have happened, because "if" opens the door wide for the work of Ash-Shayṭān.»"^{10Muslim 4:2052.}

In a Ḥadīth from 'Abbās, the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said to him,

Ḥadīthوَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْأُمَّةَ لَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوكَ بِشَيْءٍ، لَمْ يَكْتُبْهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوكَ، وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَضُرُّوكَ بِشَيْءٍ، لَمْ يَكْتُبْهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ لَمْ يَضُرُّوكَ، جَفَّتِ الْأَقْلَامُ وَطُوِيَتِ الصُّحُفُ

«Know that if the Ummah were to all gather their strength to cause you some benefit that Allāh has not decreed for you, they will never be able to bring you that benefit. And if they gather their strength to bring a harm to you that Allāh has not written on you, they will never be able to harm you. The pens have gone dry and the Books of Record have been closed.»^{11Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 7:219.}

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Ubādah bin Al-Walīd bin Ubādah said that his father said to him, "I went to 'Ubādah when he was ill, and I thought that he was going to die. So I said, 'O my father, advise us and make the best effort in this regard.' He said, 'Help me sit up,' and when he was helped up, he said, 'O my son! Know that you will not taste the delight of Faith or earn true knowledge in Allāh until you believe in Al-Qadar, the good and the not so good parts of it.' I asked, 'O my father! How can I know (or believe in) Al-Qadar, the good and the not so good parts of it?' He said, 'When you know that what has missed you, would never have come to you and what has befallen you would never have missed you. O my son! I heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ say,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا خَلَقَ اللهُ الْقَلَمُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ: اكْتُبْ، فَجَرَى فِي تِلْكَ السَّاعَةِ بِمَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ

«The first thing Allāh created was the Pen, right after that commanded it, 'Record!' and the Pen recorded everything that will occur until the Day of Resurrection.»

O my son! If you die not having this belief, you will enter the Hellfire.'"^{12Aḥmad 5:317.} At-Tirmidhi also recorded it and said: "Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ Gharīb."^{13Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 6:368.}

It is confirmed in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim from 'Abdullāh bin 'Amr that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ مَقَادِيرَ الْخَلْقِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِخَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ

«Verily, Allāh recorded the measurements for the creatures fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and earth.» Ibn Wahb added,

Qur’an 11:7وَكَانَ عَرْشُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْمَآءِ

«And His Throne was over the water.»(11:7) At-Tirmidhi also recorded it, and he said: "Ḥasan, Ṣaḥīḥ Gharīb."^{14Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 6:370.}

A Warning to beware of Allāh's Threats

Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:50وَمَآ أَمْرُنَآ إِلَّا وَٰحِدَةٌ كَلَمْحٍۭ بِٱلْبَصَرِ

«And Our commandment is but one as the twinkling of an eye.» This is information about the execution of His will in His creation, just as He informed us the execution of His decree in them,

Qur’an 54:50وَمَآ أَمْرُنَآ إِلَّا وَٰحِدَةٌ

«And Our commandment is but one» meaning, 'We only command a thing once, without needing to repeat the command; and whatever We command comes to existence faster than the blinking of an eye without any delay, not even for an instant.' Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:51وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَآ أَشْيَاعَكُمْ

«And indeed, We have destroyed your likes», i.e. the earlier nations who denied their Messengers,

Qur’anفَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

«then is there any that will remember?» meaning, is there any that will receive admonition by remembering the humiliation and torment that Allāh decreed for them?

Qur’an 34:54وَحِيلَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ مَا يَشْتَهُونَ كَمَا فُعِلَ بِأَشْيَاعِهِم مِّن قَبْلُ

«And a barrier will be set between them and that which they desire, as was done in the past with the people of their kind.»(34:54) Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 54:52وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ فَعَلُوهُ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ

«And everything they have done is noted in Az-Zubur.» meaning, everything they did is recorded in the Books of Record entrusted to the angels, peace be upon them,

Qur’an 54:53وَكُلُّ صَغِيرٍ وَكَبِيرٍ

«And everything, small and large,» meaning, of their actions,

Qur’an 54:53مُّسْتَطَرٌ

«is written down.» everything that they do is recorded and written in their Record of deeds, which leave nothing, whether large or small, but it is recorded and counted. Imām Aḥmad recorded that 'Ā'ishah said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthيَا عَائِشَةُ إِيَّاكِ وَمُحَقَّرَاتِ الذُّنُوبِ، فَإِنَّ لَهَا مِنَ اللَّهِ طَالِبًا

«O 'Ā'ishah! Beware of small sins, because there is someone assigned by Allāh who records them.»^{15Aḥmad 6:151.} An-Nasā'ī and Ibn Mājah also collected this Ḥadīth.^{16Tuḥfat Al-Ashraf 12:250 and Ibn Mājah 2:1417.}

The Good End for Those with Taqwā

Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:54إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّٰتٍ وَنَهَرٍ

«Verily, those who have Taqwā, will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers.», unlike the end that the miserable are facing, loss, confusion and being dragged in the Fire on their faces, as well as being disgraced, punished and threatened. Allāh said,

Qur’an 54:55فِى مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ

«In a seat of truth,» in the Dwelling of Allāh's honor, encompassed by His pleasure, favors, bounties, generosity and compassion,

Qur’an 54:55عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍۭ

«near the Muqtadir King.» meaning with the Magnificent King Who created everything and measured its destiny; He is able to grant them whatever they wish and ask for. Imām Aḥmad recorded that 'Abdullāh bin 'Amr said that the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthالْمُقْسِطُونَ عِنْدَ اللهِ عَلَىٰ مَنَابِرَ مِنْ نُورٍ عَنْ يَمِينِ الرَّحْمٰنِ وَكِلْتَا يَدَيْهِ يَمِينٌ، الَّذِينَ يَعْدِلُونَ فِي حُكْمِهِمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ وَمَا وَلُوا

«Verily, the just will be with Allāh on podiums of light, to the right of Ar-Raḥmān, and both of His Hands are right. They are those who are just and fair in their judgement and with their families and those whom they are responsible for.»^{17Aḥmad 2:160.} Muslim and An-Nasā'ī also recorded this Ḥadīth.^{18Muslim 3:1458 and An-Nasā'ī, 8:221.} This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrah Iqtarabat (Al-Qamar). All praise and thanks are due to Allāh, and success and immunity from error come from Him.