The Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Ḥāqqah (Chapter - 69)

Which was revealed in Makkah

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 69:1–12ٱلْحَآقَّةُ مَا ٱلْحَآقَّةُ وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلْحَآقَّةُ كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ وَعَادٌۢ بِٱلْقَارِعَةِ فَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَأُهْلِكُوا۟ بِٱلطَّاغِيَةِ وَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَأُهْلِكُوا۟ بِرِيحٍ صَرْصَرٍ عَاتِيَةٍ سَخَّرَهَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَبْعَ لَيَالٍ وَثَمَٰنِيَةَ أَيَّامٍ حُسُومًا فَتَرَى ٱلْقَوْمَ فِيهَا صَرْعَىٰ كَأَنَّهُمْ أَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ خَاوِيَةٍ فَهَلْ تَرَىٰ لَهُم مِّنۢ بَاقِيَةٍ وَجَآءَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَن قَبْلَهُۥ وَٱلْمُؤْتَفِكَٰتُ بِٱلْخَاطِئَةِ فَعَصَوْا۟ رَسُولَ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَهُمْ أَخْذَةً رَّابِيَةً إِنَّا لَمَّا طَغَا ٱلْمَآءُ حَمَلْنَٰكُمْ فِى ٱلْجَارِيَةِ لِنَجْعَلَهَا لَكُمْ تَذْكِرَةً وَتَعِيَهَآ أُذُنٌ وَٰعِيَةٌ

«1. Al-Ḥāqqah!» «2. What is Al-Ḥāqqah?» «3. And what will make you know what Al-Ḥāqqah is?» «4. Thamūd and 'Ād denied the Qāri'ah!» «5. As for Thamūd, they were destroyed by the Tāghiyah!» «6. And as for 'Ād, they were destroyed by a wind, Ṣarṣar 'Aṭiyah!» «7. Which Allāh imposed on them for seven nights and eight days Ḥusūm, so that you could see men lying toppled, as if they were trunks of date palms, Khāwiyah!» «8. Do you see any remnants of them?» «9. And Fir'awn, and those before him, and the cities overthrown committed Al-Khaṭi'āh.» «10. And they disobeyed their Lord's Messenger, so He seized them with a punishment that was Rābiyah.» «11. Verily, when the water rose beyond its limits, We carried you in the ship.» «12. That We might make it an admonition for you and that it might be retained by the retaining ears.»

Warning concerning the Greatness of the Day of Judgement

Al-Ḥāqqah is one of the names of the Day of Judgement, because during it the promise and the threat will inevitably occur. Due to this, Allāh has declared the greatness of this matter. So He says,

Qur’an 69:3وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلْحَآقَّةُ

«And what will make you know what Al-Ḥāqqah is?»

Mention of the Destruction of the Nations

Then Allāh mentions the destruction of the nations that denied the Resurrection. He says,

Qur’an 69:5فَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَأُهْلِكُوا۟ بِٱلطَّاغِيَةِ

«As for Thamūd, they were destroyed by the Ṭāghiyah!»

It is the cry which will silence them, and the quake that will silence them. Qatādah said similar to this when he said, "Aṭ-Ṭāghiyah is the shout."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:571.} Mujāhid said, "Aṭ-Ṭāghiyah means the sins." This was also said by Ar-Rabī' bin Anas and bin Zayd. They said that it means transgression. After mentioning this, Ibn Zayd recited the following Āyāt as proof for his statement,

Qur’an 91:11كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ بِطَغْوَىٰهَآ

«Thamūd denied through their transgression.»

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:6وَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَأُهْلِكُوا۟ بِرِيحٍ صَرْصَرٍ

«And as for 'Ād, they were destroyed by a wind Ṣarṣar» meaning, a cold wind. Qatādah, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabī' bin Anas and Ath-Thawri all said about,

Qur’an 69:6عَاتِيَةٍ

«'Aṭiyah»

"This means severe blowing of the wind." Qatādah said, "It blew fiercely upon them until it pierced their hearts."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:572.} Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said,

Qur’an 69:6صَرْصَرٍ

«Ṣarṣar» "This means cold, and

Qur’an 69:6عَاتِيَةٍ

«'Aṭiyah» means, it blew fiercely upon them without any mercy or blessing."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:572.} 'Ali and others said, "It blew fiercely upon their stored harvest until it was brought out worthless."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:572.}

Qur’an 69:7سَخَّرَهَا عَلَيْهِمْ

«Which Allāh imposed on them» meaning, He made it overpower them.

Qur’an 69:7سَبْعَ لَيَالٍ وَثَمَٰنِيَةَ أَيَّامٍ حُسُومًا

«for seven nights and eight days Ḥusūm,» Ḥusūm means, complete, successive and unfortunately evil. Ibn Mas'ūd, Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, 'Ikrimah, Ath-Thawri and others all said, "Ḥusūm means in succession."^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:573, 574.} It has been reported that 'Ikrimah and Ar-Rabī' bin Khuthaym both said, "It means it was unfortunately evil upon them." This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 41:16فِىٓ أَيَّامٍ نَّحِسَاتٍ

«in days of calamity» (41:16) It has been said that it is that which people now call A'jāz (apparently used to mean evil devastation). It seems as though the people took this term from Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 69:7فَتَرَى ٱلْقَوْمَ فِيهَا صَرْعَىٰ كَأَنَّهُمْ أَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ خَاوِيَةٍ

«so that you could see the people lying toppled, as if they were A'jāz (trunks) of date palms, Khāwiyah!» Ibn 'Abbās said about,

Qur’an 69:7خَاوِيَةٍ

«Khāwiyah» "It means ruined." Others besides him said, "It means dilapidated." This means that the wind would cause one of them (palm tree) to hit the ground, and it will fall down dead on his head. Then his head would shatter and it would remain a lifeless corpse as if it were without branches, motionless. It has been confirmed in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthنُصِرْتُ بِالصَّبَا وَأُهْلِكَتْ عَادٌ بِالدَّبُورِ

«I was helped by an easterly wind and the people of 'Ād were destroyed by a westerly wind.»^{6Muslim 2:617.}

Qur’an 69:8فَهَلْ تَرَىٰ لَهُم مِّنۢ بَاقِيَةٍ

«Do you see any remnants of them?» meaning, 'do you find any one of them left or anyone who even attributes himself to being from them?' Rather they are all gone, right down to the last of them, and Allāh did not make for them any successors. Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:9وَجَآءَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَن قَبْلَهُۥ

«And Fir'awn and those before him committed (sin)» This has been recited with a Kasrah under the letter Qāf (in the word Qabalahu, as Qiblahu), which changes the meaning to those who were with him in his time, and they were his followers who were disbelieving Coptic people. Others recited it with a Fatḥah over the letter Qāf (as the word Qablahu), which means those nations before him who were similar to him. Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 69:9وَٱلْمُؤْتَفِكَٰتُ

«the overthrown cities» those nations that rejected their Messengers.

Qur’an 69:9بِٱلْخَاطِئَةِ

«committed Al-Khāṭi'ah.» Al-Khāṭi'ah means their rejection of what Allāh revealed. Ar-Rabī' said,

Qur’an 69:9بِٱلْخَاطِئَةِ

«committed Al-Khāṭi'ah.» "This means disobedience." Mujāhid said, "They committed errors."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:576.} Thus, Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:10فَعَصَوْا۟ رَسُولَ رَبِّهِمْ

«And they disobeyed their Lord's Messenger,» meaning they were all of the same type, they all denied the Messenger of Allāh who was sent to them. As Allāh says,

Qur’an 50:14كُلٌّ كَذَّبَ ٱلرُّسُلَ فَحَقَّ وَعِيدِ

«Everyone of them denied the Messengers, so My threat took effect.» So whoever denies a Messenger, then verily, he denies all of the Messengers. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 26:105كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

«The people of Nūḥ belied the Messengers»

Qur’an 26:123كَذَّبَتْ عَادٌ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

«'Ād belied the Messengers.»

Qur’an 26:141كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

«Thamūd belied the Messengers.» However, only one Messenger came to every nation. Thus, Allāh says here,

Qur’an 69:10فَعَصَوْا۟ رَسُولَ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَهُمْ أَخْذَةً رَّابِيَةً

«And they disobeyed their Lord's Messenger, so He seized them with a punishment that was Rābiyah.» Rābiyah means, great, severe and painful. Mujāhid said, "Rābiyah means severe."^{8Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:577.} As-Suddi said, "It means destructive." A Reminder about the Blessing of the Ship

Then, Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:11إِنَّا لَمَّا طَغَا ٱلْمَآءُ

«Verily, when the water rose beyond its limits,» meaning, it rose up over its shores by the leave of Allāh and it overcame all that existed. Ibn 'Abbās and others said, "The water rising beyond its boundary means it increased abundantly."^{9Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:577.} This happened due to the supplication of Nūḥ against his people when they denied him, opposed him and worshipped other than Allāh.

Therefore, Allāh answered his supplication and the people of the earth were covered with the flood except for those who were with Nūḥ in the ship. Thus, are humans all from the loins of Nūḥ and his progeny. For this reason Allāh reminds humanity of His blessing,

Qur’an 69:11إِنَّا لَمَّا طَغَا ٱلْمَآءُ حَمَلْنَٰكُمْ فِى ٱلْجَارِيَةِ

«Verily, when the water rose beyond its limits, We carried you in the ship.» meaning, a ship running along upon the surface of the water.

Qur’an 69:12لِنَجْعَلَهَا لَكُمْ تَذْكِرَةً

«That We might make it an admonition for you» The pronoun "it" here refers to the species of the object (ships) due to the general meaning alluding to this. Thus, the meaning is, 'We caused its type of creation (ships) to remain (in the earth) for you, so that you ride upon the currents of the water in the seas.' This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 43:12–13وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْفُلْكِ وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ مَا تَرْكَبُونَ لِتَسْتَوُۥا۟ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا ٱسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ

«and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride; In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the favor of your Lord when you mount thereon» (43:12,13) And Allāh said,

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

«And an Āyah 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)

Qatādah said, "Allāh caused this ship to remain until the first people of this Ummah saw it."^{10Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:578.} However, the first view (that it refers to all ships in general) is the most apparent. Allāh continues saying,

Qur’an 69:12وَتَعِيَهَآ أُذُنٌ وَٰعِيَةٌ

«and that it might be retained by the retaining ears.»

meaning, that a receptive ear may understand and reflect upon this bounty. Ibn 'Abbās said, "This means an ear that is retentive and hearing."^{11Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:579.} Qatādah said,

Qur’an 69:12أُذُنٌ وَٰعِيَةٌ

«by the retaining ears.» means, "An ear that Allāh gives intelligence, so it benefits by what it hears from Allāh's Book." Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said,

Qur’an 69:12وَتَعِيَهَآ أُذُنٌ وَٰعِيَةٌ

«and that it might be retained by the retaining ears.» (69:12) means, "An ear that hears it and retains it, meaning the person who has sound hearing, and correct intellect." And this is general concerning everyone who understands and retains.

Qur’an 69:13–18فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ نَفْخَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ وَحُمِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَٱلْجِبَالُ فَدُكَّتَا دَكَّةً وَٰحِدَةً فَيَوْمَئِذٍ وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَهِىَ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاهِيَةٌ وَٱلْمَلَكُ عَلَىٰٓ أَرْجَآئِهَا وَيَحْمِلُ عَرْشَ رَبِّكَ فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ ثَمَٰنِيَةٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ تُعْرَضُونَ لَا تَخْفَىٰ مِنكُمْ خَافِيَةٌ

«13. Then when the Trumpet will be blown with one blowing.» «14. And the earth and the mountains shall be removed from their places, and crushed with a single crushing.» «15. Then on that Day shall the Event occur.» «16. And the heaven will be rent asunder, for that Day it will be frail and torn up.» «17. And the angels will be on its sides, and eight angels will, that Day, bear the Throne of your Lord above them.» «18. That Day shall you be brought to Judgement, not a secret of you will be hidden.»

A Mention of the Horrors of the Day of Judgement

Allāh informs of the horrors that will take place on the Day of Judgement. The first of these events is the blowing of fright (into the Trumpet), which will be followed by the blowing of destruction when everyone in the heavens and the earth will be struck down except whoever Allāh wills. Then, after this will be the blowing of standing before the Lord of all that exists, and the resurrection, and the gathering. And this is that blowing.^{1The majority of scholars say that there are two times the Trumpet is blown. The saying that there are three is based upon unauthentic narrations as explained earlier. See volume seven, the Tafsīr of Sūrat An-Naml (27 :87) and the discussion following it.} It is emphasized here that it is one blowing, because the command of Allāh cannot be opposed or prevented, and it does not need to be repeated or stressed. Thus, Allāh goes on to say,

Qur’an 69:14وَحُمِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَٱلْجِبَالُ فَدُكَّتَا دَكَّةً وَٰحِدَةً

«And the earth and the mountains shall be removed from their places, and crushed with a single crushing.»

meaning, they will be stretched out to the extent of the surface (of the earth) and the earth will change into something else other than the earth.

Qur’an 69:15فَيَوْمَئِذٍ وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ

«Then on that Day shall the Event occur.»

meaning, the Day of Judgement.

Qur’an 69:16وَٱنشَقَّتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَهِىَ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاهِيَةٌ

«And the heaven will be rent asunder, for that Day it will be frail and torn up.» Ibn Jurayj said, "This is like Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 78:19وَفُتِحَتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَكَانَتْ أَبْوَٰبًا

«And the heaven shall be opened, it will become as gates.» (78:19) Ibn 'Abbās said, "It (the sky) will be torn apart and the Throne will be near it."

Qur’an 69:17وَٱلْمَلَكُ عَلَىٰٓ أَرْجَآئِهَا

«And the angels will be on its sides,» The word Malak here is referring to the species of angels (all of them); meaning the angels collectively will be standing on the sides of the heavens. Ar-Rabī' bin Anas said concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 69:17وَٱلْمَلَكُ عَلَىٰٓ أَرْجَآئِهَا

«And the angels will be on its sides,» "This means that they will be standing on what has been ground to powder of the heavens looking at the people of the earth." Concerning the statement of Allāh,

Qur’an 69:17وَيَحْمِلُ عَرْشَ رَبِّكَ فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ ثَمَٰنِيَةٌ

«and eight angels will, that Day, bear the Throne of your Lord above them.» means, on the Day of Judgement eight angels will carry the Throne. Abu Dāwud recorded from Jābir bin 'Abdullāh that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthأُذِنَ لِي أَنْ أُحَدِّثَ عَنْ مَلَكٍ مِنْ مَلَائِكَةِ اللهِ تَعَالَىٰ مِنْ حَمَلَةِ الْعَرْشِ: أَنَّ مَا بَيْنَ شَحْمَةِ أُذُنِهِ إِلَىٰ عَاتِقِهِ مَسِيرَةُ سَبْعِمِائَةِ عَامٍ

«I was permitted to speak about one of the angels among those angels who carry the Throne of Allāh. Between the lobe of his ear to his shoulder is the distance of seven hundred years (of travelling).» This is the wording recorded by Abu Dāwud.^{2Abu Dāwud 5:96.}

The Children of Ādam being presented before Allāh

Concerning the statement of Allāh,

Qur’an 69:18يَوْمَئِذٍ تُعْرَضُونَ لَا تَخْفَىٰ مِنكُمْ خَافِيَةٌ

«That Day shall you be brought to Judgement, not a secret of you will be hidden.»

meaning, 'you will all be presented to the Knower of the secrets and private counsels. He is the One from Whom none of your affairs are hidden. He is the Knower of all things apparent, secret and hidden.' This is the reason that Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:18لَا تَخْفَىٰ مِنكُمْ خَافِيَةٌ

«not a secret of you will be hidden.»

Imām Aḥmad recorded from Abu Mūsā that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthيُعْرَضُ النَّاسُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ثَلَاثَ عَرْضَاتٍ، فَأَمَّا عَرْضَتَانِ فَجِدَالٌ وَمَعَاذِيرُ، وَأَمَّا الثَّالِثَةُ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ تَطِيرُ الصُّحُفُ فِي الْأَيْدِي فَآخِذٌ بِيَمِينِهِ وَآخِذٌ بِشِمَالِهِ

«The people will be exhibited three times on the Day of Judgement. The first two presentations will be (their) arguing and offering excuses. During the third presentation the pages (records) will fly into their hands. Some of them will receive the records in their right hands and some will receive them in their left hands.» Ibn Mājah and At-Tirmidhi^{3Aḥmad 4:414, Ibn Mājah 2:1430 Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 7:111. This is narrated from Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣri whom most of the scholars say did not hear from Abu Mūsā, so according to the majority, it is a disconnected narration.} both recorded this Ḥadīth.

Qur’an 69:19–24فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَيَقُولُ هَآؤُمُ ٱقْرَءُوا۟ كِتَٰبِيَهْ إِنِّى ظَنَنتُ أَنِّى مُلَٰقٍ حِسَابِيَهْ فَهُوَ فِى عِيشَةٍ رَّاضِيَةٍ فِى جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ قُطُوفُهَا دَانِيَةٌ كُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ هَنِيٓـًٔۢا بِمَآ أَسْلَفْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَيَّامِ ٱلْخَالِيَةِ

«19. Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: "Here! read my Record!"»

«20. "Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my account!"» «21. So, he shall be in a life, well-pleasing.» «22. In a lofty Paradise,» «23. The fruits in bunches whereof will be low and near at hand.» «24. Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!»

The Happiness of the Person Who will receive His Book in His Right Hand and His Good Situation

Allāh informs of the happiness of those who receive their Book in the right hand on the Day of Judgement and being pleased with this. Out of his extreme pleasure is his saying to everyone that he meets,

Qur’an 69:19هَآؤُمُ ٱقْرَءُوا۟ كِتَٰبِيَهْ

«Here! read my Record!»

meaning, 'take my Book and read it.' He will say this because he knows that what is in it is good and purely virtuous deeds. He will be of those whom Allāh replaced their bad deeds (evils) with good deeds. 'Abdur-Raḥmān bin Zayd said, "The meaning of

Qur’an 69:19هَآؤُمُ ٱقْرَءُوا۟ كِتَٰبِيَهْ

«Here! read my Record!»

is 'Here, read my Book.'... The suffix 'Um' is a grammatical addition." This is what he ('Abdur-Raḥmān) said. It seems apparent that the suffix 'Um' means here 'you all.' Ibn Abi Ḥātim recorded that 'Abdullāh bin 'Abdullāh bin Ḥanẓalah - and he (Ḥanẓalah) was the Companion who was washed by the angels for his funeral - said, "Verily, Allāh will stop His servant on the Day of Judgement and He will make his sins appear on the outside of his Book of Records. Then He will say to him, 'Did you do this?' The servant will respond, 'Yes my Lord.' Then Allāh will say to him, 'I will not expose you (or dishonor you) for it, for verily, I have forgiven you.' The person will then say, 'Here (you all) read my Book!'

"

Qur’an 69:20إِنِّى ظَنَنتُ أَنِّى مُلَٰقٍ حِسَابِيَهْ

«Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my account!» This will be when he (the servant of Allāh) will be saved from being disgraced and exposed on the Day of Judgement.

In the Ṣaḥīḥ, it is recorded from Ibn 'Umar that he was asked about the private counsel. He responded by saying that he heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ saying,

«يُدْنِي اللهُ الْعَبْدَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيُقَرِّرُهُ بِذُنُوبِهِ كُلِّهَا، حَتَّى إِذَا رَأَى أَنَّهُ قَدْ هَلَكَ قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: إِنِّي سَتَرْتُهَا عَلَيْكَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَأَنَا أَغْفِرُهَا لَكَ الْيَوْمَ، ثُمَّ يُعْطَى كِتَابَ حَسَنَاتِهِ بِيَمِينِهِ. وَأَمَّا الْكَافِرُ وَالْمُنَافِقُ فَيَقُولُ الْأَشْهَادُ

Qur’an 11:18هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ أَلَا لَعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

»

«Allāh will bring the servant close (to Him) on the Day of Judgement and make him confess all of his sins. This will continue until the servant thinks that he is about to be destroyed. Then Allāh will say, "Verily, I have concealed these sins for you in the worldly life and I have forgiven you for them today." Then he will be given his Book of good deeds in his right hand. However, about the disbeliever and the hypocrite, the witnesses will say, «"These are those who lied on their Lord, and verily, the curse of Allāh is on the wrongdoers."»»^{1Aḥmad 2:74, Al-Bukhāri 4685, and Muslim 1768.}

Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 69:20إِنِّى ظَنَنتُ أَنِّى مُلَٰقٍ حِسَابِيَهْ

«Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my account!»

means, 'I used to be certain in the worldly life that this day would definitely come.' This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 2:46ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَٰقُوا۟ رَبِّهِمْ

«(They are those) who are certain that they are going to meet their Lord.» (2:46)

Allāh then says,

Qur’an 69:21فَهُوَ فِى عِيشَةٍ رَّاضِيَةٍ

«So he shall be in a life, well-pleasing.» (69:21) meaning, pleasant.

Qur’an 69:22فِى جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ

«In a lofty Paradise,» meaning, having elevated castles, beautiful wide-eyed maidens, pleasant stations and eternal joy. It has been confirmed in the Ṣaḥīḥ that the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ مِائَةُ دَرَجَةٍ مَا بَيْنَ كُلِّ دَرَجَتَيْنِ كَمَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ

«Verily, Paradise has one hundred levels and between each level is a distance like the distance between the earth and the sky.»^{2Al-Bukhāri no. 2790.}

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:23قُطُوفُهَا دَانِيَةٌ

«The fruits in bunches whereof will be low and near at hand.»

Al-Barā' bin 'Āzib said, "This means close enough for one of them (the people of Paradise) to reach them while he is lying on his bed."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:586.} More than one person has said this.

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:24كُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ هَنِيٓـًٔۢا بِمَآ أَسْلَفْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَيَّامِ ٱلْخَالِيَةِ

«Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!»

meaning, this will be said to them as an invitation to them of blessing, favor and goodness. For verily, it has been confirmed in the Ṣaḥīḥ that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthاعْمَلُوا وَسَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا، وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ أَحَدًا مِنْكُمْ لَنْ يُدْخِلَهُ عَمَلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ

«Work deeds, strive, seek to draw near (to Allāh) and know that none of you will be admited into Paradise because of his deeds.»

They (the Companions) said, "Not even you O Messenger of Allāh?" He replied,

Ḥadīthوَلَا أَنَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَتَغَمَّدَنِيَ اللهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنْهُ وَفَضْلٍ

«Not even me, except if Allāh covers me with mercy from Himself and grace.»^{4Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:300.}

Qur’an 69:9–34وَجَآءَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَن قَبْلَهُۥ وَٱلْمُؤْتَفِكَٰتُ بِٱلْخَاطِئَةِ فَعَصَوْا۟ رَسُولَ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَهُمْ أَخْذَةً رَّابِيَةً إِنَّا لَمَّا طَغَا ٱلْمَآءُ حَمَلْنَٰكُمْ فِى ٱلْجَارِيَةِ لِنَجْعَلَهَا لَكُمْ تَذْكِرَةً وَتَعِيَهَآ أُذُنٌ وَٰعِيَةٌ فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ نَفْخَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ وَحُمِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَٱلْجِبَالُ فَدُكَّتَا دَكَّةً وَٰحِدَةً فَيَوْمَئِذٍ وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَهِىَ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاهِيَةٌ وَٱلْمَلَكُ عَلَىٰٓ أَرْجَآئِهَا وَيَحْمِلُ عَرْشَ رَبِّكَ فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ ثَمَٰنِيَةٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ تُعْرَضُونَ لَا تَخْفَىٰ مِنكُمْ خَافِيَةٌ فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَيَقُولُ هَآؤُمُ ٱقْرَءُوا۟ كِتَٰبِيَهْ إِنِّى ظَنَنتُ أَنِّى مُلَٰقٍ حِسَابِيَهْ فَهُوَ فِى عِيشَةٍ رَّاضِيَةٍ فِى جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ قُطُوفُهَا دَانِيَةٌ كُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ هَنِيٓـًٔۢا بِمَآ أَسْلَفْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَيَّامِ ٱلْخَالِيَةِ وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَٰبَهُۥ بِشِمَالِهِۦ فَيَقُولُ يَٰلَيْتَنِى لَمْ أُوتَ كِتَٰبِيَهْ وَلَمْ أَدْرِ مَا حِسَابِيَهْ يَٰلَيْتَهَا كَانَتِ ٱلْقَاضِيَةَ مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنِّى مَالِيَهْ هَلَكَ عَنِّى سُلْطَٰنِيَهْ خُذُوهُ فَغُلُّوهُ ثُمَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ صَلُّوهُ ثُمَّ فِى سِلْسِلَةٍ ذَرْعُهَا سَبْعُونَ ذِرَاعًا فَٱسْلُكُوهُ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلْمِسْكِينِ

Qur’an 69:25–37وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَٰبَهُۥ بِشِمَالِهِۦ فَيَقُولُ يَٰلَيْتَنِى لَمْ أُوتَ كِتَٰبِيَهْ وَلَمْ أَدْرِ مَا حِسَابِيَهْ يَٰلَيْتَهَا كَانَتِ ٱلْقَاضِيَةَ مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنِّى مَالِيَهْ هَلَكَ عَنِّى سُلْطَٰنِيَهْ خُذُوهُ فَغُلُّوهُ ثُمَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ صَلُّوهُ ثُمَّ فِى سِلْسِلَةٍ ذَرْعُهَا سَبْعُونَ ذِرَاعًا فَٱسْلُكُوهُ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلْمِسْكِينِ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ ٱلْيَوْمَ هَٰهُنَا حَمِيمٌ وَلَا طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِنْ غِسْلِينٍ لَّا يَأْكُلُهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْخَٰطِـُٔونَ

«25. But as for him who will be given his Record in his left hand, will say: "I wish that I had not been given my Record!"»

«26. "And that I had never known how my account is!"»

«27. "Would that it had been my end!"»

«28. "My wealth has not availed me;"»

«29. "My power has gone from me!"»

«30. (It will be said): "Seize him and fetter him;"»

«31. "Then throw him in the blazing Fire."»

«32. "Then fasten him on a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits!"»

«33. Verily, he used not to believe in Allāh, the Most Great,»

«34. And urged not the feeding of the poor.»

«35. So, no friend has he here this Day,»

«36. Nor any food except filth from Ghislīn.» «37. None will eat it except the Khāṭi'ūn.»

The Bad Condition of Whoever is given His Record in His Left Hand

These Āyāt inform about the condition of the wretched people when one of them is given his Record (of deeds) in his left hand when the people are brought before Allāh. At this time he will be very remorseful.

Qur’an 69:25–27فَيَقُولُ يَٰلَيْتَنِى لَمْ أُوتَ كِتَٰبِيَهْ وَلَمْ أَدْرِ مَا حِسَابِيَهْ يَٰلَيْتَهَا كَانَتِ ٱلْقَاضِيَةَ

«(He) will say: "I wish that I had not been given my Record! And that I had never known how my account is! Would that it had been my end!..."»

Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said, "Meaning a death which is not followed by any life." Likewise said Muḥammad bin Ka'b, Ar-Rabī' and As-Suddi. Qatādah said, "He will hope for death even though in the worldly life it was the most hated thing to him."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:587.}

Qur’an 69:28–29مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنِّى مَالِيَهْ هَلَكَ عَنِّى سُلْطَٰنِيَهْ

«My wealth has not availed me; my power has gone from me.» means, 'my wealth and my honor did not protect me from the punishment of Allāh and His torment. Now the matter has ended with me alone and I have no helper nor anyone to save me.' At this Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:30–31خُذُوهُ فَغُلُّوهُ ثُمَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ صَلُّوهُ

«Seize him and fetter him; then throw him in the blazing Fire.» meaning, He will command the guardians of Hell to forcibly remove him from the gathering place, fetter him - meaning put iron collars on his neck - then carry him off to Hell and cast him into it, meaning they will submerge him in it.

Allāh said,

Qur’an 69:32ثُمَّ فِى سِلْسِلَةٍ ذَرْعُهَا سَبْعُونَ ذِرَاعًا فَٱسْلُكُوهُ

«Then fasten him on a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits!» Ka'b Al-Aḥbār said, "Every ring of it will be equal to the entire amount of iron found in this world." Al-'Awfi reported that Ibn 'Abbās and Ibn Jurayj both said, "Each cubit will be the forearm's length of an angel."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:589.} Ibn Jurayj reported that Ibn 'Abbās said,

Qur’an 69:32فَٱسْلُكُوهُ

«Then fasten him» "It will be entered into his buttocks and pulled out of his mouth. Then they will be arranged on this (chain) just like locusts are arranged on a stick that is being roasted." Al-'Awfi reported from Ibn 'Abbās that he said, "It will be ran into his behind until it is brought out of his two nostrils so he will not be able to stand on his two feet."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:589.} Imām Aḥmad recorded from 'Abdullāh bin 'Amr that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthلَوْ أَنَّ رَصَاصَةً مِثْلَ هَذِهِ - وَأَشَارَ إِلَى جُمْجُمَةٍ - أُرْسِلَتْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ، وَهِيَ مَسِيرَةُ خَمْسِمِائَةِ سَنَةٍ، لَبَلَغَتِ الْأَرْضَ قَبْلَ اللَّيْلِ وَلَوْ أَنَّهَا أُرْسِلَتْ مِنْ رَأْسِ السِّلْسِلَةِ لَسَارَتْ أَرْبَعِينَ خَرِيفًا اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَبْلُغَ قَعْرَهَا أَوْ أَصْلَهَا

«If a drop of lead like this - and he pointed to a skull bone - were sent from the heaven to the earth, and it is a distance of five hundred years travel, it would reach the earth before night. And if it (the same drop of lead) were sent from the head of the chain (of Hell), it would travel forty fall seasons, night and day, before it would reach its (Hell's) cavity or base.»^{4Aḥmad 2:197.}

At-Tirmidhi also recorded this Ḥadīth and he said, "This Ḥadīth is Ḥasan."^{5Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 7:313.} Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 69:33–34إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلْمِسْكِينِ

«Verily, he used not to believe in Allāh, the Most Great, and urged not on the feeding of the poor.»

meaning, he did not establish the right of Allāh upon him, of obedience to Him and performing His worship. He also did not benefit Allāh's creation nor did he give them their rights. For verily, Allāh has a right upon the servants that they worship Him alone and not associate anything with Him. The servants of Allāh also have a right upon each other to good treatment and assistance in righteousness and piety. For this reason, Allāh commanded performance of the prayer and the payment of Zakāh. When the Prophet ﷺ was (in his last moments) near death he said,

Ḥadīthالصَّلَاةَ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ

«The prayer (Aṣ-Ṣalāh) and your right hand possessions (i.e., slaves).»^{6An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 4:258.}

Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:35–37فَلَيْسَ لَهُ ٱلْيَوْمَ هَٰهُنَا حَمِيمٌ وَلَا طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِنْ غِسْلِينٍ لَّا يَأْكُلُهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْخَٰطِـُٔونَ

«So no friend has he here this Day. Nor any food except filth from the washing of wounds. None will eat it except the Khāṭi'ūn.»

meaning, there is no one today who can save him from the punishment of Allāh, nor any close friend or intercessor whose request would be honored. He will have no food here except for the filthy washing of wounds. Qatādah said, "It will be the worst food of the people of the Hellfire."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:591.} Ar-Rabī' and Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk both said, "It (Ghislīn) is a tree in Hell." Shabīb bin Bishr reported from 'Ikrimah that Ibn 'Abbās said, 'Ghislīn will be the blood and fluid that will flow from their flesh." 'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported from Ibn 'Abbās that he said, 'Ghislīn is the pus of the people of the Hellfire."

Qur’an 69:38–43فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِمَا تُبْصِرُونَ وَمَا لَا تُبْصِرُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَاعِرٍ قَلِيلًا مَّا تُؤْمِنُونَ وَلَا بِقَوْلِ كَاهِنٍ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«38. So, I swear by whatsoever you see,»

«39. And by whatsoever you see not,»

«40. That this is verily the word of an honored Messenger.»

«41. It is not the word of a poet, little is that you believe!»

«42. Nor is it the word of a soothsayer, little is that you remember!»

«43. This is the revelation sent down from the Lord of all that exists.»

The Qur'ān is the Speech of Allāh

Allāh swears by His creation, in which some of His signs can be seen in His creatures. These also indicate the perfection of His Names and Attributes. He then swears by the hidden things that they cannot see. This is an oath swearing that the Qur'ān is His Speech, His inspiration and His revelation to His servant and Messenger, whom He chose to convey His Message, and the Messenger carried out this trust faithfully. So Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:38–40فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِمَا تُبْصِرُونَ وَمَا لَا تُبْصِرُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ

«So I swear by whatsoever you see, and by whatsoever you see not, that this is verily the word of an honored Messenger.»

meaning, Muḥammad ﷺ. Allāh gave this description to him, a description which carries the meaning of conveying, because the duty of a messenger is to convey from the sender. Therefore, Allāh gave this description to the angelic Messenger in Sūrat At-Takwīr, where he said,

Qur’an 81:19–21إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ ذِى قُوَّةٍ عِندَ ذِى ٱلْعَرْشِ مَكِينٍ مُّطَاعٍ ثَمَّ أَمِينٍ

«Verily, this is the Word of (this Qur'ān brought by) a most honorable messenger. Owner of power (and high rank) with Allāh, the Lord of the Throne. Obeyed and trustworthy.» (81:19-21)

And here, it refers to Jibrīl. Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 81:22وَمَا صَاحِبُكُم بِمَجْنُونٍ

«and your companion is not a madman.» (81:22) meaning, Muḥammad ﷺ.

Qur’an 81:23وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْمُبِينِ

«And indeed he saw him in the clear horizon.» (81:23) meaning, Muḥammad ﷺ saw Jibrīl in his true form in which Allāh created him.

Qur’an 81:24وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى ٱلْغَيْبِ بِضَنِينٍ

Arabic quotation as printed; not matched to Tanzil, so not shown as the Qur’anفَلَيْسَ لَهُ ٱلْيَوْمَ هَٰهُنَا حَمِيمٌ وَلَا طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِنْ غِسْلِينٍ لَّا يَأْكُلُهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْخَٰطِـُٔونَ فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِمَا تُبْصِرُونَ وَمَا لَا تُبْصِرُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَاعِرٍ قَلِيلًا مَّا تُؤْمِنُونَ وَلَا بِقَوْلِ كَاهِنٍ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ وَلَوْ تَقَوَّلَ عَلَيْنَا بَعْضَ ٱلْأَقَاوِيلِ لَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُ بِٱلْيَمِينِ ثُمَّ لَقَطَعْنَا مِنْهُ ٱلْوَتِينَ فَمَا مِنكُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ عَنْهُ حَٰجِزِينَ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَذْكِرَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ وَإِنَّا لَنَعْلَمُ أَنَّ مِنكُم مُّكَذِّبِينَ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَحَسْرَةٌ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَحَقُّ ٱلْيَقِينِ فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ سَأَلَ سَآئِلٌۢ بِعَذَابٍ وَاقِعٍ لِّلْكَٰفِرِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ دَافِعٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ذِى ٱلْمَعَارِجِ تَعْرُجُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ إِلَيْهِ فِى يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُۥ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ فَٱصْبِرْ صَبْرًا جَمِيلًا إِنَّهُمْ يَرَوْنَهُۥ بَعِيدًا وَنَرَىٰهُ قَرِيبًا يَوْمَ تَكُونُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ كَٱلْمُهْلِ وَتَكُونُ ٱلْجِبَالُ كَٱلْعِهْنِ وَلَا يَسْـَٔلُ حَمِيمٌ حَمِيمًا

«And he is not Ḍanīn with the Unseen.» (81:24) meaning, suspicious.

Qur’an 81:25وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَيْطَٰنٍ رَّجِيمٍ

«And it (the Qur'ān) is not he word of the outcast Shayṭān.» (81:25) This is similar to what is being said here.

Qur’an 69:41–42وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَاعِرٍ قَلِيلًا مَّا تُؤْمِنُونَ وَلَا بِقَوْلِ كَاهِنٍ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ

«It is not the word of a poet, little is that you believe! Nor is it the word of soothsayer, little is that you remember!»

So in one instance Allāh applies the term messenger to the angelic Messenger and in another instance He applies it to the human Messenger (Muḥammad ﷺ). This is because both of them are conveying from Allāh that which has been entrusted to them of Allāh's revelation and Speech. Thus, Allāh says,

Qur’anتَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«This is the revelation sent down from the Lord of all that exists.»

Qur’an 69:44–52وَلَوْ تَقَوَّلَ عَلَيْنَا بَعْضَ ٱلْأَقَاوِيلِ لَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُ بِٱلْيَمِينِ ثُمَّ لَقَطَعْنَا مِنْهُ ٱلْوَتِينَ فَمَا مِنكُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ عَنْهُ حَٰجِزِينَ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَذْكِرَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ وَإِنَّا لَنَعْلَمُ أَنَّ مِنكُم مُّكَذِّبِينَ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَحَسْرَةٌ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَحَقُّ ٱلْيَقِينِ فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

«44. And if he had forged a false saying concerning Us,» «45. We surely would have seized him by his right hand,»

«46. And then We certainly would have cut off Al-Watīn from him,»

«47. And none of you could have prevented it from him.»

«48. And verily, this is a Reminder for those who have Taqwā.»

«49. And verily, We know that there are some among you that deny.»

«50. And indeed it will be an anguish for the disbelievers.

«51. And verily, it (this Qur'ān) is an absolute truth with certainty.»

«52. So, glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.»

If the Prophet ﷺ forged anything against Allāh, then Allāh would punish Him

Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:44وَلَوْ تَقَوَّلَ عَلَيْنَا

«And if he had forged a false saying concerning Us,»

meaning, 'if Muḥammad forged something against Us, as they claim, and added or removed anything from the Message, or said anything from himself while attributing it to Us, then We would surely be swift in punishing him. And of course, Muḥammad did not do any of this (as the disbelievers claimed).' Thus, Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:45لَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُ بِٱلْيَمِينِ

«We surely would have seized him by his right hand,»

It has been said that this means, 'We would seize him by the right hand because it is more stronger in grabbing.'

Qur’an 69:46ثُمَّ لَقَطَعْنَا مِنْهُ ٱلْوَتِينَ

«And then We certainly would have cut off Al-Watīn from him,»

Ibn 'Abbās said, "It (Al-Watīn) refers to the artery of the heart, and it is the vein that is attached to the heart."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:593.} This has also been said by 'Ikrimah, Sa'īd bin Jubayr, Al-Ḥākim, Qatādah, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Muslim Al-Baṭīn and Abu Sakhr Ḥumayd bin Ziyād.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:593, 594, and Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 8:276.} Muḥammad bin Ka'b said, "It (Al-Watīn) is the heart, its blood, and whatever is near it."^{3Al-Qurṭubi 18:276.} Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 69:47فَمَا مِنكُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ عَنْهُ حَٰجِزِينَ

«And none of you could have prevented it from him.»

means, 'none of you would be able to come between Us and him if We wanted to do any of this to him.' The meaning behind all of this is to say that he (Muḥammad ﷺ) is truthful, righteous and guided because Allāh determined what he is to convey from Him, and Allāh helps him with fantastic miracles and definite proofs.

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:48وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَذْكِرَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

«And verily, this (Qur'ān) is a Reminder for those who have Taqwā.»

meaning, the Qur'ān. This is just as Allāh says,

Qur’an 41:44قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هُدًى وَشِفَآءٌ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى

«Say: "It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Qur'ān) is blindness for them."»

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:49وَإِنَّا لَنَعْلَمُ أَنَّ مِنكُم مُّكَذِّبِينَ

«And verily, We know that there are some among you that deny (this Qur'ān).»

meaning, with this explanation and clarification, there will still be among you those who reject the Qur'ān. Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:50وَإِنَّهُۥ لَحَسْرَةٌ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«And indeed it (this Qur'ān) will be an anguish for the disbelievers (on the Day of Resurrection).»

Ibn Jarīr said, "And verily this rejection will be anguish for the disbelievers on the Day of Judgement."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:595.} He (Ibn Jarīr) also mentioned a similar statement from Qatādah.^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:595.} It is possible that the meaning of the pronoun (it) may also refer to the Qur'ān, in which case the verse would mean that the Qur'ān and belief in it are a cause of anguish for the disbelievers. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 26:200–201كَذَٰلِكَ سَلَكْنَٰهُ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ

«Thus have We caused it (the denial of the Qur'ān) to enter the hearts of the criminals. They will not believe in it.» (26:200,201)

And Allāh said,

Qur’an 34:54وَحِيلَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ مَا يَشْتَهُونَ

«And a barrier will be set between them and that which they desire» (34:54).

Therefore, Allāh says here,

Qur’an 69:51وَإِنَّهُۥ لَحَقُّ ٱلْيَقِينِ

«And verily, it (this Qur'ān) is an absolute truth with certainty.»

meaning, the right and truthful news in which there is no doubt, suspicion or confusion. Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 69:52فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

«So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.»

meaning, He Who sent down this magnificent Qur'ān.

This is the end of the explanation (Tafsīr) of Sūrat Al-Ḥāqqah. And to Allāh belong all praise and blessings.