The Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Mursalāt (Chapter - 77)

Which was revealed in Makkah

The Revelation of this Sūrat and its Recitation in the Maghrib Prayer

Al-Bukhāri recorded from 'Abdullāh - that is Ibn Mas'ūd - that he said, "While we were with the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ in a cave at Minā,

Qur’an 77:1وَٱلْمُرْسَلَٰتِ

«By the Mursalāt.» was revealed to him. He was reciting it and I was learning it from his mouth. Verily, his mouth was moist with it when a snake leaped out at us. The Prophet ﷺ said,

«اقْتُلُوهَا»

«Kill it!» So we quickly went after it, but it got away. Then the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthوُقِيَتْ شَرَّكُمْ، كَمَا وُقِيتُمْ شَرَّهَا

«It was saved from your harm just as you all were saved from its harm.»"^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 4:42.}

Muslim also recorded this Ḥadīth by way of Al-A'mash.^{2Muslim 4:1755.} Imām Aḥmad recorded from Ibn 'Abbās, who reported from his mother that she heard the Prophet ﷺ reciting

Qur’an 77:1وَٱلْمُرْسَلَٰتِ عُرْفًا

«By the Mursalāt.» in the Maghrib prayer.^{3Aḥmad 6:338.} In a report from Mālik on the authority of Ibn 'Abbās, he narrated that Umm Al-Faḍl (his mother) heard him (Ibn 'Abbās) reciting

Qur’an 77:1وَٱلْمُرْسَلَٰتِ عُرْفًا

«By the Mursalāt 'Urfa.» (77:1)

so she said, "O my son! You reminded me with your recitation of this Sūrat. Verily, it is the last thing I heard from the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. He recited it in the Maghrib prayer (i.e., before he died)."^{4Muwaṭṭa' 1:78.} Both Al-Bukhāri and Muslim recorded this report in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs by way of Mālik.^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 2:287, and Muslim 1:338.}

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 77:1–15وَٱلْمُرْسَلَٰتِ عُرْفًا فَٱلْعَٰصِفَٰتِ عَصْفًا وَٱلنَّٰشِرَٰتِ نَشْرًا فَٱلْفَٰرِقَٰتِ فَرْقًا فَٱلْمُلْقِيَٰتِ ذِكْرًا عُذْرًا أَوْ نُذْرًا إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَوَٰقِعٌ فَإِذَا ٱلنُّجُومُ طُمِسَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ فُرِجَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْجِبَالُ نُسِفَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلرُّسُلُ أُقِّتَتْ لِأَىِّ يَوْمٍ أُجِّلَتْ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْفَصْلِ وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا يَوْمُ ٱلْفَصْلِ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«1. By the Mursalāt 'Urfā.» «2. The ‘Āṣifāt ‘Asfā.» «3. And the Nāshirāt Nashrā.» «4. The Fāriqāt that separate.» «5. The Mulqiyāt that remind,» «6. Excusing or warning.» «7. Surely, what you are promised will occur.» «8. Then when the stars lose their lights.» «9. And when Furijat the heaven.» «10. And when the mountains are blown away.» «11. And when the Messengers are Uqqitat.» «12. For what Day are these signs postponed?» «13. For the Day of Sorting Out (the men of Paradise from the men destined for Hell).» «14. And what will explain to you what is the Day of Sorting Out?» «15. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!»

Allāh's swearing by Different Creatures about the Occurrence of the Hereafter

Ibn Abi Ḥātim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said,

Qur’an 77:1وَٱلْمُرْسَلَٰتِ عُرْفًا

«By the Mursalāt 'Urfā.» "The angels." From Masrūq, Abu Aḍ-Ḍuḥā, Mujāhid in one narrations from him, As-Suddi and Ar-Rabī' bin Anas, statements similar to this have been reported.

It has been reported from Abu Ṣāliḥ that he said, "These are the Messenger." In another narration from him (Abu Ṣāliḥ) he said that it means the angels. Abu Ṣāliḥ has also said the meaning of Al-'Āṣifāt, An-Nāshirāt, Al-Fāriqāt and Al-Mulqiyāt, that they all refer to the angels.

Ath-Thawri narrated from Salamah bin Kuhayl, who reported from Muslim Al-Baṭīn, who reported from Abu Al-'Ubaydayn that he asked Ibn Mas'ūd about the meaning of Al-Mursalāt 'Urfā, and he (Ibn Mas'ūd) said, "The wind." He said the same about Al-'Āṣifāt 'Aṣfā and An-Nāshirāt Nashrā, that they all refer to the wind.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:124, 125.} Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid and Qatādah all said the same.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:123-126.}

Ibn Jarīr confidently affirmed that Al-'Āṣifāt 'Aṣfā means the wind just as Ibn Mas'ūd and those who followed him said. However, he (Ibn Jarīr) did not affirm whether An-Nāshirāt Nashrā are the angels or the wind as has preceded. It has been reported from Abu Ṣāliḥ that An-Nāshirāt Nashrā is the rain. The most obvious meaning is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 15:22وَأَرْسَلْنَا ٱلرِّيَٰحَ لَوَٰقِحَ

«And we send the winds fertilizing.» (15:22)

He also says,

Qur’an 7:57وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ بُشْرًۢا بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَحْمَتِهِۦ

«And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy (rain).» (7:57) Similarly, Al-'Āṣifāt are winds. It is said (in Arabic) that the winds 'Aṣifāt when they make noise with their blowing. Likewise, An-Nāshirāt are the winds that scatter into clouds in the horizons of the sky according to the will of the Lord.

Allāh then says,

Qur’an 77:4–6فَٱلْفَٰرِقَٰتِ فَرْقًا فَٱلْمُلْقِيَٰتِ ذِكْرًا عُذْرًا أَوْ نُذْرًا

«The Fāriqāt that separate, the Mulqiyāt that remind, excusing or warning.»

meaning, the angels. This was said by Ibn Mas'ūd, Ibn 'Abbās, Masrūq, Mujāhid, Qatādah, Ar-Rabī' bin Anas, As-Suddi and Ath-Thawri.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:128, 129.} There is no difference of opinion here, because they (the angels) are the ones who descend with Allāh's command to the Messengers, separating between the truth and falsehood, guidance and misguidance, and the lawful and the forbidden. They bring the revelation to the Messengers, which contains exemption or absolvement for the creatures and a warning for them of Allāh's torment if they oppose His command. Allāh said,

Qur’an 77:7إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَوَٰقِعٌ

«Surely, what you are promised will occur.»

This is the subject of these oaths. This means, what you all have been promised concerning the establishment of the Hour (Judgement Day), the blowing of the horn, the resurrection of the bodies, the gathering of those of old and those of latter times on one common ground and the rewarding of every doer of a deed based upon his deed. If he did good, then his reward will be good, and if he did evil, then his reward will be evil. All of this will occur, meaning it will come to pass and there is no avoiding it.

A Mention of some of what will occur on the Day of Judgement

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:8فَإِذَا ٱلنُّجُومُ طُمِسَتْ

«Then when the stars lose their lights.» meaning, their light will leave. This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:2وَإِذَا ٱلنُّجُومُ ٱنكَدَرَتْ

«And when the star fall.» (81:2) It is also similar to His statement,

Qur’an 82:2وَإِذَا ٱلْكَوَاكِبُ ٱنتَثَرَتْ

«And when the stars have fallen and scattered.» (82:2)

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:9وَإِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ فُرِجَتْ

«And when Furijat the heaven.» meaning, it is cleft asunder, becomes split, its sides fall and its edges become weak.

Qur’an 77:10وَإِذَا ٱلْجِبَالُ نُسِفَتْ

«And when the mountains are blown away.»

meaning, they will be removed and no sight or trace of them will remain. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 20:105وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْجِبَالِ فَقُلْ يَنسِفُهَا رَبِّى نَسْفًا

«And they ask you concerning the mountains: Say, "My Lord will blast them and scatter them as particles of dust."» (20:105)

Allāh also says,

Qur’an 18:47وَيَوْمَ نُسَيِّرُ ٱلْجِبَالَ وَتَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ بَارِزَةً وَحَشَرْنَٰهُمْ فَلَمْ نُغَادِرْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدًا

«And (remember) the Day We shall cause the mountains to pass away (like clouds of dust), and you will see the earth as a leveled plain, and we shall gather them all together so as to leave not one of them behind.» (18:47)

Then He says,

Qur’an 77:11وَإِذَا ٱلرُّسُلُ أُقِّتَتْ

«And when the Messengers are Uqqitat.»

Al-'Awfi narrated from Ibn 'Abbās that he said that Uqqitat means "Gathered."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:129.} Ibn Zayd said, "This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 5:109يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرُّسُلَ

«On the Day when Allāh will gather the Messengers together.»^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:130.}

Mujāhid said,

Qur’an 77:11أُقِّتَتْ

«Uqqitat.» "This means postponed."^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:130.} Ath-Thawri narrated from Manṣūr, who narrated from Ibrāhīm that he said concerning the word,

Qur’an 77:11أُقِّتَتْ

«Uqqitat.» "This means promised."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:130.} It seems as though he holds this to be similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 39:69وَأَشْرَقَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا وَوُضِعَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ وَجِا۟ىٓءَ بِٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءِ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

«And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord: and the Book will be produced; and the Prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward; and it will be judged between them with truth, and they will not be wronged.» (39:69)

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:12–15لِأَىِّ يَوْمٍ أُجِّلَتْ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْفَصْلِ وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا يَوْمُ ٱلْفَصْلِ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«For what Day are these signs postponed? For the Day of Sorting Out. And what will explain to you what is the Day of Sorting Out? Woe that Day to the deniers!»

Allāh is saying, 'for which day are the Messengers postponed and their matter expected, so that the Hour will be established?' This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 14:47–48فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِفَ وَعْدِهِۦ رُسُلَهُۥٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ يَوْمَ تُبَدَّلُ ٱلْأَرْضُ غَيْرَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ وَبَرَزُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ

Qur’an 77:20–50أَلَمْ نَخْلُقكُّم مِّن مَّآءٍ مَّهِينٍ فَجَعَلْنَٰهُ فِى قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ إِلَىٰ قَدَرٍ مَّعْلُومٍ فَقَدَرْنَا فَنِعْمَ ٱلْقَٰدِرُونَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ ٱلْأَرْضَ كِفَاتًا أَحْيَآءً وَأَمْوَٰتًا وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ شَٰمِخَٰتٍ وَأَسْقَيْنَٰكُم مَّآءً فُرَاتًا وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ٱنطَلِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ ٱنطَلِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ ظِلٍّ ذِى ثَلَٰثِ شُعَبٍ لَّا ظَلِيلٍ وَلَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱللَّهَبِ إِنَّهَا تَرْمِى بِشَرَرٍ كَٱلْقَصْرِ كَأَنَّهُۥ جِمَٰلَتٌ صُفْرٌ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ هَٰذَا يَوْمُ لَا يَنطِقُونَ وَلَا يُؤْذَنُ لَهُمْ فَيَعْتَذِرُونَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ هَٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْفَصْلِ جَمَعْنَٰكُمْ وَٱلْأَوَّلِينَ فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ كَيْدٌ فَكِيدُونِ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى ظِلَٰلٍ وَعُيُونٍ وَفَوَٰكِهَ مِمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ كُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ هَنِيٓـًٔۢا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ كُلُوا۟ وَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُم مُّجْرِمُونَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ لَا يَرْكَعُونَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَهُۥ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«So think not that Allāh will fail to keep His promise to His Messengers. Certainly, Allāh is Almighty, All-Able of Retribution. On the Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will be the heavens, and they will appear before Allāh, the One, the Irresistible.» (14:47, 48)

This is the Day of Sorting Out, as Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:13لِيَوْمِ ٱلْفَصْلِ

«the Day of Sorting Out.» Then Allāh says, in magnifying its matter,

Qur’an 77:14–15وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا يَوْمُ ٱلْفَصْلِ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«And what will explain to you what is the Day of Sorting Out? Woe that Day to the deniers.»

meaning, woe unto them from Allāh's torment that is coming in the future.

Qur’an 77:16–19أَلَمْ نُهْلِكِ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ ثُمَّ نُتْبِعُهُمُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ كَذَٰلِكَ نَفْعَلُ بِٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«16. Did We not destroy the ancients?» «17. So shall We make later generations to follow them.» «18. Thus do We deal with the criminals.» «19. Woe that Day to the deniers!» «20. Did We not create you from a despised water?» «21. Then We placed it in a place of safety,» «22. For a known period?» «23. So We did measure; and We are the best to measure.» «24. Woe that Day to the deniers!» «25. Have We not made the earth Kifāt (a receptacle)» «26. For the living and the dead?» «27. And have placed therein fixed towers, and have given you Furāt water?» «28. Woe that Day to the deniers!»

The Call to contemplate the various Manifestations of Allāh's Power

Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:16أَلَمْ نُهْلِكِ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

«Did We not destroy the ancients?» meaning, those who rejected the Messengers and opposed what they came to them with.

Qur’an 77:17ثُمَّ نُتْبِعُهُمُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ

«So shall We make later generations to follow them.» meaning, from those who are similar to them. Thus, Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:18–19كَذَٰلِكَ نَفْعَلُ بِٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«Thus do We deal with the criminals. Woe that Day to the deniers!» Ibn Jarīr said this.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:131.} Then Allāh reminding His creatures of His favor, and using the beginning of creation to support the idea of repeating it, He says:

Qur’an 77:20أَلَمْ نَخْلُقكُّم مِّن مَّآءٍ مَّهِينٍ

«Did We not create you from a despised water?» meaning, weak and despised in comparison to the power of the Creator. This is similar to what has been reported in the Ḥadīth of Buṣr bin Jaḥḥāsh (that Allāh says),

Ḥadīthابْنَ آدَمَ أَنَّى تُعْجِزُنِي وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِنْ مِثْلِ هَذِهِ؟

«"(O) Son of Ādam ! How can you think that I am unable, and yet I created you from something like this (i.e., semen)?"»^{2Aḥmad 4:210.}

Qur’an 77:21فَجَعَلْنَٰهُ فِى قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ

«Then We placed it in a place of safety,»

meaning, We gathered him in the womb, where the fluid of the man and the woman settles. The womb has been prepared for this, as a protector of the fluid deposited in it. Allāh said:

Qur’an 77:22إِلَىٰ قَدَرٍ مَّعْلُومٍ

«For a known period?» meaning, for a fixed period of time, which is from six months to nine months. Thus, Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:23–24فَقَدَرْنَا فَنِعْمَ ٱلْقَٰدِرُونَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«So We did measure; and We are the best to measure. Woe that Day to the deniers!»

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:25–26أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ ٱلْأَرْضَ كِفَاتًا أَحْيَآءً وَأَمْوَٰتًا

«Have We not made the earth Kifāt for the living and the dead?»

Ibn 'Abbās said, "Kifāt means a place of shelter."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:131.} Mujāhid said, "It holds the dead so that nothing is seen of it."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:134.} Ash-Sha'bi said, "Its interior is for your dead and its surface is for your living."^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:134.} Mujāhid and Qatādah also said this.^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:134, 135.}

Qur’an 77:27وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ شَٰمِخَٰتٍ

«And have placed therein fixed towers,»

meaning, the mountains. The earth is held in place with them so that it does not shake and sway.

Qur’an 77:27وَأَسْقَيْنَٰكُم مَّآءً فُرَاتًا

«and have given you Furāt water?» meaning, cold and delicious water from the clouds or from what He causes to gush forth from the springs of the earth.

Qur’an 77:28وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«Woe that Day to the deniers!» meaning, woe to whoever reflects upon these created things which demonstrate the greatness of their Creator, then after that continues to reject Him and disbelieve in Him.

Qur’an 77:29–34ٱنطَلِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ ٱنطَلِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ ظِلٍّ ذِى ثَلَٰثِ شُعَبٍ لَّا ظَلِيلٍ وَلَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱللَّهَبِ إِنَّهَا تَرْمِى بِشَرَرٍ كَٱلْقَصْرِ كَأَنَّهُۥ جِمَٰلَتٌ صُفْرٌ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«29. (It will be said to the disbelievers): "Depart you to that which you used to deny!"» «30. "Depart you to a shadow in three columns,"» «31. "Neither shady nor of any use against the fierce flame of the Fire."» «32. Verily, it (Hell) throws sparks (huge) as Al-Qaṣr,» «33. As if they were Ṣufr camels.» «34. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!» «35. That will be a Day when they shall not speak (during some part of it),» «36. And they will not be permitted to put forth any excuse.» «37. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!» «38. That will be a Day of Decision! We have brought you and the men of old together!» «39. So, if you have a plot, use it against Me (Allāh)!» «40. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!» The driving of the Criminals to their Final Abode in Hell and how it will be done

Allāh informs about the disbelievers who deny the final abode, the recompense, Paradise, and the Hellfire. On the Day of Judgement it will be said to them:

Qur’an 77:29–30ٱنطَلِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ ٱنطَلِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ ظِلٍّ ذِى ثَلَٰثِ شُعَبٍ

«Depart you to that which you used to deny! Depart you to a shadow in three columns,»

meaning, a flame of fire when it rises and ascends with smoke. So due to its severity and strength, it will have three columns.

Qur’an 77:31لَّا ظَلِيلٍ وَلَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱللَّهَبِ

«Neither shady nor of any use against the fierce flame of the Fire.»

meaning, shade of the smoke that comes from the flame - which itself will not have a shade, nor will it benefit against the flame. This means it will not protect them from the heat of the flame. Allāh said,

Qur’an 77:32إِنَّهَا تَرْمِى بِشَرَرٍ كَٱلْقَصْرِ

«Verily, it throws sparks as Al-Qaṣr,»

meaning, its sparks will shoot out from its flame like huge castles. Ibn Mas'ūd said, "Like forts."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:163.} Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, Qatādah and Mālik who reported from Zayd bin Aslam and others said, "This means the trunk of trees."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:138.}

Qur’an 77:33كَأَنَّهُۥ جِمَٰلَتٌ صُفْرٌ

«As if they were Ṣufr camels.» means, black camels. This is the view of Mujāhid, Al-Ḥasan, Qatādah, and Ad-Ḍaḥḥāk, and Ibn Jarīr favored this view.

Ibn 'Abbās Mujāhid, and Sa'īd bin Jubayr said about,

Qur’an 77:33جِمَٰلَتٌ صُفْرٌ

«Ṣufr camels.» "Meaning ropes of ships."

Qur’an 77:32إِنَّهَا تَرْمِى بِشَرَرٍ كَٱلْقَصْرِ

«Verily, it (Hell) throws sparks as Al-Qaṣr.»

Imām Al-Bukhāri recorded from Ibn 'Abbās that he said: "We were directed to the timber a length of three cubits or more in order to use it for construction of buildings. We used to call it Al-Qaṣr.

Qur’an 77:33كَأَنَّهُۥ جِمَٰلَتٌ صُفْرٌ

«As if they were Ṣufr camels.»

These (Jimālat) are ropes of ships that are bundled until they resemble the intestines of men."^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:556.}

Qur’an 77:34وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«Woe that Day to the deniers!»

The Inability of the Criminals to speak, make Excuses, or step forward on the Day of Judgement

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:35هَٰذَا يَوْمُ لَا يَنطِقُونَ

«That will be a Day when they shall not speak,» meaning, they will not speak.

Qur’an 77:36وَلَا يُؤْذَنُ لَهُمْ فَيَعْتَذِرُونَ

«And they will not be permitted to put forth any excuse.»

meaning, they will not be able to speak, nor will they be granted permission to speak so that they can make excuses. Rather, the proof will be established against them, and they will be called upon to speak about the wrong that they did, but they will not be able to say anything. The courts of the Day of Judgement will occur in stages. Sometimes the Lord informs of this stage and sometimes He informs of that stage. This is to show the terrors and calamities of that Day. Thus, after all the details of this discussion, He says:

Qur’anوَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«Woe that Day to the deniers!» Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:38–39هَٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْفَصْلِ جَمَعْنَٰكُمْ وَٱلْأَوَّلِينَ فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ كَيْدٌ فَكِيدُونِ

«That will be a Day of Decision! We have brought you and the men of old together! So if you have a plot, use it against Me!»

This is an address from the Creator to His servants. He says to them,

Qur’an 77:38هَٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْفَصْلِ جَمَعْنَٰكُمْ وَٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

«That will be a Day of Decision! We have brought you and the men of old together!»

meaning, He will gather all of them by His power on one common plane, He will make them hear the caller and He will cause them to see. Then He says,

Qur’an 77:39فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ كَيْدٌ فَكِيدُونِ

«So, if you have a plot, use it against Me!»

This is a serious threat and a harsh warning. It means, 'if you are able to save yourselves from being seized by Me, and rescue yourselves from My ruling, then do so. But you are certainly not able to do so.' This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 55:33يَٰمَعْشَرَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ إِنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَن تَنفُذُوا۟ مِنْ أَقْطَارِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنفُذُوا۟ لَا تَنفُذُونَ إِلَّا بِسُلْطَٰنٍ

«O assembly of Jinn and men! If you have power to pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)! But you will never be able to pass them, except with authority (from Allāh)!» (55:33)

Allāh also says,

Qur’an 11:57وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُۥ شَيْـًٔا

«And you will not harm Him in the least.» (11:57)

It is narrated in a Ḥadīth (that Allāh said),

Ḥadīthيَا عِبَادِي، إِنَّكُمْ لَنْ تَبْلُغُوا نَفْعِي فَتَنْفَعُونِي، وَلَنْ تَبْلُغُوا ضَرِّي فَتَضُرُّونِي

«"O My servants! You all can never attain My benefit and thereby benefit Me, and you all can never attain My harm and thereby harm Me."»^{4Muslim 4:1994.}

Qur’an 77:41–50إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى ظِلَٰلٍ وَعُيُونٍ وَفَوَٰكِهَ مِمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ كُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ هَنِيٓـًٔۢا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ كُلُوا۟ وَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُم مُّجْرِمُونَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ لَا يَرْكَعُونَ وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَهُۥ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«41. Verily, those who had Taqwā, shall be amidst shades and springs.» «42. And fruits, such as they desire.» «43. "Eat and drink comfortably for that which you used to do."» «44. Verily, thus We reward the Muḥsinīn.» «45. Woe that Day to the deniers!» «46. Eat and enjoy yourselves for a little while. Verily, you are criminals.» «47. Woe that Day to the deniers!» «48. And when it is said to them: "Bow down yourself!" They bow not down.» «49. Woe that Day to the deniers!» «50. Then in what statement after this will they believe?»

The Final Abode for Those Who have Taqwā

Allāh informs that His servants who have Taqwā and worship Him by performing the obligations and abandoning the forbidden things, will be in gardens and springs on the Day of Judgement. This means they will be in the opposite condition of the wretched people, who will be in shades of Al-Yaḥmūm, which is purtrid, black smoke. Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:42وَفَوَٰكِهَ مِمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ

«And fruits, such as they desire.» meaning, and from other types of fruits, they will have whatever they request.

Qur’an 77:43كُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ هَنِيٓـًٔۢا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

«Eat and drink comfortably for that which you used to do.» meaning, this will be said to them out of kindness for them. Reestablishing what He has previously mentioned, Allāh says;

Qur’an 77:44إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

«Verily, thus We reward the Muḥsinīn.» meaning, 'this is Our reward for whoever does good deeds.'

Qur’an 77:45وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«Woe that Day to the deniers!»

A Threat for Whoever denies the Day of Judgement

Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:46كُلُوا۟ وَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُم مُّجْرِمُونَ

«Eat and enjoy yourselves for a little while. Verily, you are criminals.» This is an address to the deniers of the Day of Judgement. It is commanding them with a command of threat and intimidation. Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:46كُلُوا۟ وَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ قَلِيلًا

«Eat and enjoy yourselves for a little while.» meaning, for a period of time that is short, small and brief.

Qur’an 77:46إِنَّكُم مُّجْرِمُونَ

«Verily, you are criminals.» meaning, then you all will be driven to the fire of Hell which has already been mentioned.

Qur’anوَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«Woe that Day to the deniers!» This is similar to Allāh's statement,

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

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

Qur’an 10:69–70إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ مَتَٰعٌ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ

Qur’an 10:70ثُمَّ نُذِيقُهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلشَّدِيدَ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْفُرُونَ

«Verily, those who invent a lie against Allāh, will never be successsful. (A brief) enjoyment in this world! And then unto Us will be their return, then We shall make them taste the severest torment because they used to disbelieve.» (10:69,70) Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:48وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ لَا يَرْكَعُونَ

«And when it is said to them: "Bow down yourself!" They bow not down.» meaning, when these ignorant disbelievers are ordered to pray with the congregation (of believers), they refuse and turn away from it arrogantly. Thus, Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:49وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«Woe that Day to the deniers!» Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 77:50فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَهُۥ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«Then in what statement after this will they believe?» meaning, if they do not believe in this Qur'ān, then what talk will they believe in? This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 45:6فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ وَءَايَٰتِهِۦ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«Then in which speech after Allāh and His Āyāt will they believe?» (45: 6)

This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Mursalāt, and all praise and thanks are due to Allāh. He is the Giver of success and security.