The Tafsīr of Sūrat An-Naba' (Chapter - 78)

Which was revealed in Makkah

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 78:1–16عَمَّ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ عَنِ ٱلنَّبَإِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ٱلَّذِى هُمْ فِيهِ مُخْتَلِفُونَ كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِهَٰدًا وَٱلْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا وَخَلَقْنَٰكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًا وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلنَّهَارَ مَعَاشًا وَبَنَيْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعًا شِدَادًا وَجَعَلْنَا سِرَاجًا وَهَّاجًا وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمُعْصِرَٰتِ مَآءً ثَجَّاجًا لِّنُخْرِجَ بِهِۦ حَبًّا وَنَبَاتًا وَجَنَّٰتٍ أَلْفَافًا

«1. What are they asking about?» «2. About the great news,» «3. About which they are in disagreement.» «4. Nay, they will come to know!» «5. Nay, again, they will come to know!» «6. Have We not made the earth as a bed,» «7. And the mountains as pegs?» «8. And We have created you in pairs.» «9. And We have made your sleep as a thing for rest.» «10. And We have made the night as a covering,» «11. And We have made the day for livelihood.» «12. And We have built above you seven strong,» «13. And We have made (therein) a shining lamp.» «14. And We have sent down from the Mu'ṣirāt water Thajjāj.» «15. That We may produce therewith grains and vegetations,» «16. And gardens that are Alfāf.» Refutation against the Idolators' Denial of the Occurrence of the Day of Judgement

In rejection of the idolators' questioning about the Day of Judgement, due to their denial of its occurrence, Allāh says,

Qur’an 78:1–2عَمَّ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ عَنِ ٱلنَّبَإِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

«What are they asking about? About the great news,» meaning, what are they asking about? They are asking about the matter of the Day of Judgement, and it is the great news. Meaning the dreadful, horrifying, overwhelming information.

Qur’an 78:3ٱلَّذِى هُمْ فِيهِ مُخْتَلِفُونَ

«About which they are in disagreement.» meaning, the people are divided into two ideas about it. There are those who believe in it and those who disbelieve in it. Then Allāh threatens those who deny the Day of Judgement by saying,

Qur’an 78:4–5كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ

«Nay, they will come to know! Nay, again, they will come to know!» This is a severe threat and a direct warning.

Mentioning Allāh's Power, and the Proof of His Ability to resurrect the Dead

Then, Allāh begins to explain His great ability to create strange things and amazing matters. He brings this as a proof of His ability to do whatever He wishes concerning the matter of the Hereafter and other matters as well. He says,

Qur’an 78:6أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِهَٰدًا

«Have We not made the earth as a bed,» meaning, an established, firm and peaceful resting place that is subservient to them.

Qur’an 78:7وَٱلْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا

«And the mountains as pegs?» meaning, He made them as pegs for the earth to hold it in place, make it stable and firm. This is so that it may be suitable for dwelling and not quake with those who are in it. Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 78:8وَخَلَقْنَٰكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا

«And We have created you in pairs.»

meaning, male and female, both of them enjoying each other, and by this means procreation is achieved. This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 30:21وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً

«And among His signs is this that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy.» (30:21)

Qur’an 78:9وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًا

«And We have made your sleep as a thing for rest.»

meaning, a cessation of movement in order to attain rest from the frequent repetition and going about in search of livelihood during the day. A similar Āyah has been mentioned previously in Sūrat Al-Furqān.

Qur’an 78:10وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا

«And We have made the night as a covering,»

meaning, its shade and darkness covers the people. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 91:4وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَىٰهَا

«By the night as it conceals it.» (91:4)

Qatādah commented;

Qur’an 78:10وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا

«And We have made the night as a covering,»

meaning, a tranquil residence. Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 78:11وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلنَّهَارَ مَعَاشًا

«And We have made the day for livelihood.»

meaning, 'We made it radiant, luminous, and shining so that the people would be able to move about in it.' By it they are able to come and go for their livelihood, earning, business dealings and other than that as well.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:152.} In reference to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 78:12وَبَنَيْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعًا شِدَادًا

«And We have built above you seven strong,»

meaning, the seven heavens in their vastness, loftiness, perfection, precision, and adornment with both stable and moving stars. Thus, Allāh says,

Qur’an 78:13وَجَعَلْنَا سِرَاجًا وَهَّاجًا

«And We have made (therein) a shining lamp.»

meaning, the radiant sun that gives light to all of the world. Its light glows for all of the people of the earth. Allāh then says,

Qur’an 78:14وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمُعْصِرَٰتِ مَآءً ثَجَّاجًا

«And We have sent down from the Mu'ṣirāt water Thajjāj.»

'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported from Ibn 'Abbās that he said, "From the Mu'ṣirāt means from the clouds."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:154.} This was also stated by 'Ikrimah, Abu Al-'Āliyah, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Al-Ḥasan, Ar-Rabī' bin Anas, Ath-Thawri, and it is preferred by Ibn Jarīr.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:153, 154, and Al-Baghawi 4:437.} Al-Farrā' said, "They are the clouds that are filled with rain, but they do not bring rain. This is like the woman being called Mu'ṣir when (the time of) her menstrual cycle approaches, yet she does not menstruate."^{4Al-Baghawi 4:437.} This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 30:48ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَيَبْسُطُهُۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجْعَلُهُۥ كِسَفًا فَتَرَى ٱلْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَٰلِهِۦ

«Allāh is He Who sends the winds, so that they raise clouds, and spread them along the sky as He wills, and then break them into fragments, until you see rain drops come forth from their midst!» (30:48)

meaning, from its midst. Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 78:14مَآءً ثَجَّاجًا

«water Thajjāj» Mujāhid, Qatādah, and Ar-Rabī' bin Anas all said, "Thajjāj means poured out."^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:155.} At-Thawri said, "Continuous."^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:155.} Ibn Zayd said, "Abundant."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:155.} In the Ḥadīth of the woman with prolonged menstrual bleeding, when the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said to her,

Ḥadīthأَنْعَتُ لَكِ الْكُرْسُفَ

«I suggest you to make an absorbent cloth for yourself.»"

Meaning, 'dress the area with cotton.' The woman replied, "O Messenger of Allāh! It (the bleeding) is too much for that. Verily, it flows in profusely (Thajjā)."^{8Abu Dāwud 1:199.} This contains an evidence for using the word Thajj to mean abundant, continuous and flowing. And Allāh knows best. Allāh said,

Qur’an 78:15–16لِّنُخْرِجَ بِهِۦ حَبًّا وَنَبَاتًا وَجَنَّٰتٍ أَلْفَافًا

«That We may produce therewith corn and vegetation, and gardens that are Alfāf.»

meaning, 'so that We may bring out great abundance, goodness, benefit, and blessing through this water.'

Qur’an 78:15حَبًّا

«grains» This refers to that which is preserved for (the usage) of humans and cattle.

Qur’an 78:15وَنَبَاتًا

«and vegetations» meaning, vegetables that are eaten fresh.

Qur’an 78:16وَجَنَّٰتٍ

«And gardens» meaning, gardens of various fruits, differing colors, and a wide variety of tastes and fragrances, even if it is ingathered at one location of the earth. This is why Allāh says

Qur’an 78:1–30عَمَّ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ عَنِ ٱلنَّبَإِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ٱلَّذِى هُمْ فِيهِ مُخْتَلِفُونَ كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِهَٰدًا وَٱلْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا وَخَلَقْنَٰكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًا وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلنَّهَارَ مَعَاشًا وَبَنَيْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعًا شِدَادًا وَجَعَلْنَا سِرَاجًا وَهَّاجًا وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمُعْصِرَٰتِ مَآءً ثَجَّاجًا لِّنُخْرِجَ بِهِۦ حَبًّا وَنَبَاتًا وَجَنَّٰتٍ أَلْفَافًا إِنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَصْلِ كَانَ مِيقَٰتًا يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَتَأْتُونَ أَفْوَاجًا وَفُتِحَتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَكَانَتْ أَبْوَٰبًا وَسُيِّرَتِ ٱلْجِبَالُ فَكَانَتْ سَرَابًا إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتْ مِرْصَادًا لِّلطَّٰغِينَ مَـَٔابًا لَّٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحْقَابًا لَّا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا بَرْدًا وَلَا شَرَابًا إِلَّا حَمِيمًا وَغَسَّاقًا جَزَآءً وِفَاقًا إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَرْجُونَ حِسَابًا وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا كِذَّابًا وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَٰهُ كِتَٰبًا فَذُوقُوا۟ فَلَن نَّزِيدَكُمْ إِلَّا عَذَابًا

«And gardens that are Alfāf.» Ibn 'Abbās and other said, "Alfāf means gathered."^{9Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:156.} This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:4وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قِطَعٌ مُّتَجَٰوِرَٰتٌ وَجَنَّٰتٌ مِّنْ أَعْنَٰبٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ صِنْوَانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ يُسْقَىٰ بِمَآءٍ وَٰحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلْأُكُلِ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

«And in the earth are neighboring tracts, and gardens of vines, and green crops, and date palms, growing into two or three from a single stem root, or otherwise, watered with the same water; yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Verily, in these things there are Āyāt for the people who understand.» (13:4)

Qur’an 78:17–30إِنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَصْلِ كَانَ مِيقَٰتًا يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَتَأْتُونَ أَفْوَاجًا وَفُتِحَتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَكَانَتْ أَبْوَٰبًا وَسُيِّرَتِ ٱلْجِبَالُ فَكَانَتْ سَرَابًا إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتْ مِرْصَادًا لِّلطَّٰغِينَ مَـَٔابًا لَّٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحْقَابًا لَّا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا بَرْدًا وَلَا شَرَابًا إِلَّا حَمِيمًا وَغَسَّاقًا جَزَآءً وِفَاقًا إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَرْجُونَ حِسَابًا وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا كِذَّابًا وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَٰهُ كِتَٰبًا فَذُوقُوا۟ فَلَن نَّزِيدَكُمْ إِلَّا عَذَابًا

«17. Verily, the Day of Decision is a fixed time,» «18. The Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and you shall come forth in crowds.» «19. And the heaven shall be opened, and it will become as gates.» «20. And the mountains shall be moved away from their places and they will be as if they were a mirage.» «21. Truly, Hell is a place of ambush» «22. A dwelling place for the Ṭāghūn,» «23. They will abide therein Aḥqāb.» «24. Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink.» «25. Except Ḥamīm, and Ghassāq» «26. An exact recompense (according to their evil crimes).» «27. For verily, they used not to look for a reckoning.» «28. But they denied Our Āyāt Kidhdhābā.» «29. And all things We have recorded in a Book.» «30. So taste you. No increase shall We give you, except in torment.»

Explaining the Day of Decision and what occurs during it

Allāh says about the Day of Decision – and it is the Day of Judgement - that it is at a fixed time, with a set appointment. Its time cannot be added to or decreased. No one knows its exact time except Allāh. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 11:104وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِأَجَلٍ مَّعْدُودٍ

«And We delay it only for a term fixed.» (11:104)

Qur’an 78:18يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَتَأْتُونَ أَفْوَاجًا

«The Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and you shall come forth in crowds.»

Mujāhid said, "Groups after groups."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:158.} Ibn Jarīr said, "This means that each nation will come with its Messenger. It is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 17:71يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا۟ كُلَّ أُنَاسٍۭ بِإِمَٰمِهِمْ

«The Day when We shall call together all human beings with their Imām.» (17:71)"^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:158.}

Al-Bukhāri reported concerning the explanation of Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 78:18يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَتَأْتُونَ أَفْوَاجًا

«The Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and you shall come forth in crowds.»

Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthمَا بَيْنَ النَّفْخَتَيْنِ أَرْبَعُونَ

«That which is between the two blowings is forty.»

Someone asked, "Is it forty days, O Abu Hurayrah?" But he (Abu Hurayrah) refused to reply, saying "no comment." They then asked, "Is it forty months?" But he (Abu Hurayrah) refused to reply, saying "no comment." They asked again, "Is it forty years?" But he (Abu Hurayrah) refused to reply, saying "no comment." (Abu Hurayrah added:) "Then the Prophet ﷺ went on to say,

Ḥadīthثُمَّ يُنْزِلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَيَنْبُتُونَ كَمَا يَنْبُتُ الْبَقْلُ، لَيْسَ مِنَ الْإِنْسَانِ شَيْءٌ إِلَّا يَبْلَى، إِلَّا عَظْمًا وَاحِدًا، وَهُوَ عَجْبُ الذَّنَبِ، وَمِنْهُ يُرَكَّبُ الْخَلْقُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

«Then Allāh will send down a rain from the sky and the dead body will sprout just as a green plant sprouts. Every part of the last person will deteriorate except for one bone, and it is the coccyx bone (tailbone). From it the creation will be assembled on the Day of Judgement.»"^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:558.}

Qur’an 78:19وَفُتِحَتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَكَانَتْ أَبْوَٰبًا

«And the heaven shall be opened, and it will become as gates.» meaning, paths, and routes for the descending of the angels.

Qur’an 78:20وَسُيِّرَتِ ٱلْجِبَالُ فَكَانَتْ سَرَابًا

«And the mountains shall be moved away from their places and they will be as if they were a mirage.»

This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 27:88وَتَرَى ٱلْجِبَالَ تَحْسَبُهَا جَامِدَةً وَهِىَ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ ٱلسَّحَابِ

«And you will see the mountains and think them solid, but they shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds.» (27:88)

He also says,

Qur’an 101:5وَتَكُونُ ٱلْجِبَالُ كَٱلْعِهْنِ ٱلْمَنفُوشِ

«And the mountain will be like carded wool.» (101:5)

And Allāh says here,

Qur’an 78:20فَكَانَتْ سَرَابًا

«As if they were a mirage.» meaning, they appear to the one who looks at them as if they are something, but they are actually nothing. After this they will be completely removed. Nothing will be seen of them, and there will be neither base nor trace of them. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 20:105–107وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْجِبَالِ فَقُلْ يَنسِفُهَا رَبِّى نَسْفًا فَيَذَرُهَا قَاعًا صَفْصَفًا لَّا تَرَىٰ فِيهَا عِوَجًا وَلَآ أَمْتًا

«And they ask you concerning the mountains, say: "My Lord will blast them and scatter them as particles of dust. Then He shall leave them as a level smooth plain. You will see therein nothing crooked or curved."» (20:105-107)

And He says,

Qur’an 18:47وَيَوْمَ نُسَيِّرُ ٱلْجِبَالَ وَتَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ بَارِزَةً

«And the Day We shall cause the mountains to pass away, and you will see the earth as a leveled plain.» (18:47)

Allāh then says,

Qur’an 78:21إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتْ مِرْصَادًا

«Truly, Hell is a place of ambush» meaning, it is waiting in preparation.

Qur’an 78:22لِّلطَّٰغِينَ

«for the Ṭāghūn» These are the disobedient rejectors who oppose the Messengers.

Qur’anمَـَٔابًا

«A dwelling place» meaning, a place of return, final destination, final outcome, and residence. Allāh said,

Qur’an 78:23لَّٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحْقَابًا

«They will abide therein Aḥqāb.» meaning, they will remain in it for Aḥqāb, which is the plural of Ḥuqb. Ḥuqb means a period of time. Khālid bin Ma'dān said, "This Āyah, and the Āyah,

Qur’anإِلَّا مَا شَآءَ رَبُّكَ

«except your Lord wills.» (11:107) both refer to the people of Tawḥīd."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:162.} Ibn Jarīr recorded this statement. Ibn Jarīr also recorded from Sālim that he heard Al-Ḥasan being asked about Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 78:23لَّٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحْقَابًا

«They will abide therein Aḥqāb» "In reference to Aḥqāb, it has no specific amount of time other than its general meaning of eternity in the Hellfire. However, they have mentioned that the Ḥuqb is seventy years, and every day of it is like one thousand years according to your reckoning (in this life)."^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:162.} Sa'īd reported from Qatādah that he said, "Allāh says,

Qur’an 78:23لَّٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحْقَابًا

«They will abide therein Aḥqāb.» (78:23) And it is that which has no end to it. Whenever one era comes to an end, a new era follows it. It has been mentioned to us that the Ḥuqb is eighty years."^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:162.} Ar-Rabī' bin Anas said,

Qur’an 78:23لَّٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحْقَابًا

«They will abide therein Aḥqāb» "No one knows how much time this Aḥqāb is, except for Allāh, the Mighty and Sublime. It has been mentioned to us that one Ḥuqb is eighty years, and the year is three hundred and sixty days, and each day is equivalent to one thousand years according to your reckoning (in this life)." Ibn Jarīr has recorded both of these statements.^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:162.}

Allāh's statement:

Qur’an 78:24لَّا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا بَرْدًا وَلَا شَرَابًا

«Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink.»

meaning, they will not find any coolness in Hell for their hearts, nor any good drink for them to partake of. Thus, Allāh says,

Qur’an 78:25إِلَّا حَمِيمًا وَغَسَّاقًا

«Except Ḥamīm, and Ghassāq» Abu Al-'Āliyah said, "The Ḥamīm has been made an exception to the coolness, and Ghassāq is the exception to the drink."^{8Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:165.} This has also been said by Ar-Rabī' bin Anas. In reference to the Ḥamīm, it is the heat that has reached its maximum temperature and point of boiling. The Ghassāq^{9These terms often appear translated as "boiling water" and "dirty wound discharge."} is gathered from the pus, sweat, tears, and wounds of the people of Hellfire. It is unbearably cold with an intolerable stench. May Allāh save us from that by His beneficence and grace. Then He continues,

Qur’an 78:26جَزَآءً وِفَاقًا

«An exact recompense.» meaning, that which will happen to them of this punishment is in accordance with their wicked deeds, which they were doing in this life. Mujāhid, Qatādah, and others have said this.^{10Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:167.} Then Allāh said,

Qur’an 78:27إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَرْجُونَ حِسَابًا

«For verily, they used not to look for a reckoning.» (78:27)

meaning, they did not believe that there would be an abode in which they would be taken to account.

Qur’an 78:28وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا كِذَّابًا

«But they denied Our Āyāt Kidhdhābā.» meaning, they used to deny the evidences of Allāh and His proofs for His creation, which He revealed to His Messengers. So they met these proofs with rejection and obstinance. His statement,

Qur’an 78:28كِذَّابًا

«Kidhdhābā» it means rejection, and it is considered a verbal noun that does not come from a verb. Allāh said;

Qur’an 78:29وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَٰهُ كِتَٰبًا

«And all things We have recorded in a Book.»

meaning, 'surely We know the deeds of all of the creatures, and We have written these deeds for them. We will reward them based upon this.' If their deeds were good then their reward will be good, and if their deeds were evil their reward will be evil. Allāh then says,

Qur’an 78:30فَذُوقُوا۟ فَلَن نَّزِيدَكُمْ إِلَّا عَذَابًا

«So taste you. No increase shall We give you, except in torment.»

This means that it will be said to the people of the Hellfire, "Taste that which you were in. We will never increase you in anything except torment according to its type (of sin), and something else similar to it." Qatādah reported from Abu Ayyūb Al-Azdi, who reported from 'Abdullāh bin 'Amr that he said, "Allāh did not reveal any Āyah against the people of the Hellfire worse than this Āyah,

Qur’an 78:30فَذُوقُوا۟ فَلَن نَّزِيدَكُمْ إِلَّا عَذَابًا

«So taste you. No increase shall We give you, except in torment.»"

Then he said, "They will continue increasing in torment forever."^{11Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:169.}

Qur’an 78:31–36إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ مَفَازًا حَدَآئِقَ وَأَعْنَٰبًا وَكَوَاعِبَ أَتْرَابًا وَكَأْسًا دِهَاقًا لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا كِذَّٰبًا جَزَآءً مِّن رَّبِّكَ عَطَآءً حِسَابًا

«31. Verily, for those who have Taqwā, there will be a success;» «32. Ḥadā'iq and vineyards,» «33. And Kawā'ib Atrāb,» «34. And a cup Dihāq.» «35. No Laghw shall they hear therein, nor lying;» «36. Rewarded from your Lord with a sufficient gift.»

The Great Success will be for Those Who have Taqwā

Allāh informs about the happy people and what He has prepared for them of esteem, and eternal pleasure. Allāh says,

Qur’an 78:31إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ مَفَازًا

«Verily, for those who have Taqwā, there will be a success;» Ibn 'Abbās and Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk both said, "A place of enjoyable recreation."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:170, and Al-Baghawi 4:439.} Mujāhid and Qatādah both said, "They are successful and thus, they are saved from the Hellfire."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:169, 170.} The most obvious meaning here is the statement of Ibn 'Abbās, because Allāh says after this,

Qur’an 78:32حَدَآئِقَ

«Ḥadā'iq» And Ḥadā'iq are gardens of palm trees and other things.

Qur’an 78:32–33وَأَعْنَٰبًا وَكَوَاعِبَ أَتْرَابًا

«And vineyards, and Kawā'ib Atrāb,» meaning, wide-eyed maidens with fully developed breasts. Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid and others have said,

كَوَاعِبَ

«Kawā'ib» "This means round breasts. They meant by this that the breasts of these girls will be fully rounded and not sagging, because they will be virgins, equal in age. This means that they will only have one age."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:170, and Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 8:398.} The explanation of this has already been mentioned in Sūrat Al-Waqi'ah.^{4See volume nine, the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Wāqi'ah (56:37).} Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 78:34وَكَأْسًا دِهَاقًا

«And a cup Dihāq.» Ibn 'Abbās said, "Continuously filled."^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:173.} 'Ikrimah said, "Pure." Mujāhid, Al-Ḥasan, Qatādah, and Ibn Zayd all said,

Qur’an 78:34دِهَاقًا

«Dihāq» "This means completely filled."^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:172.} Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 78:35لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا كِذَّٰبًا

«No Laghw shall they hear therein, nor lying;» This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 52:23لَّا لَغْوٌ فِيهَا وَلَا تَأْثِيمٌ

«Free from any Laghw, and free from sin.» (52:23) meaning, there will not be any vain, worthless speech therein, nor any sinful lying. Rather, it will be the abode of peace, and everything that is in it will be free of any shortcomings. Allāh then says,

Qur’an 78:36جَزَآءً مِّن رَّبِّكَ عَطَآءً حِسَابًا

«Rewarded from your Lord with a sufficient gift.»

meaning, 'this that We have mentioned to you is what Allāh will reward them with, and they will be given it by His favor and from Him. It will be a kindness, mercy, gift, and recompense from Him. It will be sufficient, suitable, comprehensive and abundant.' The Arabs say, "He gave me and he sufficed me." This means that he sufficiently provided for me." From this comes the saying, "Allāh is sufficient for me."

Arabic quotation as printed; not matched to Tanzil, so not shown as the Qur’anإِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ مَفَازًا حَدَآئِقَ وَأَعْنَٰبًا وَكَوَاعِبَ أَتْرَابًا وَكَأْسًا دِهَاقًا لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا كِذَّٰبًا جَزَآءً مِّن رَّبِّكَ عَطَآءً حِسَابًا رَّبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِنْهُ خِطَابًا يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلرُّوحُ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ صَفًّا لَّا يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَقَالَ صَوَابًا ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمُ ٱلْحَقُّ فَمَن شَآءَ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ مَـَٔابًا إِنَّآ أَنذَرْنَٰكُمْ عَذَابًا قَرِيبًا يَوْمَ يَنظُرُ ٱلْمَرْءُ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ وَيَقُولُ ٱلْكَافِرُ يَٰلَيْتَنِى كُنتُ تُرَٰبًۢا وَٱلنَّٰزِعَٰتِ غَرْقًا وَٱلنَّٰشِطَٰتِ نَشْطًا وَٱلسَّٰبِحَٰتِ سَبْحًا فَٱلسَّٰبِقَٰتِ سَبْقًا فَٱلْمُدَبِّرَٰتِ أَمْرًا يَوْمَ تَرْجُفُ ٱلرَّاجِفَةُ تَتْبَعُهَا ٱلرَّادِفَةُ قُلُوبٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاجِفَةٌ أَبْصَٰرُهَا خَٰشِعَةٌ يَقُولُونَ أَءِنَّا لَمَرْدُودُونَ فِى ٱلْحَافِرَةِ أَءِذَا كُنَّا عِظَٰمًا نَّخِرَةً قَالُوا۟ تِلْكَ إِذًا كَرَّةٌ خَاسِرَةٌ فَإِنَّمَا هِىَ زَجْرَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ فَإِذَا هُم بِٱلسَّاهِرَةِ هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ مُوسَىٰٓ

Qur’an 78:37–40رَّبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِنْهُ خِطَابًا يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلرُّوحُ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ صَفًّا لَّا يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَقَالَ صَوَابًا ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمُ ٱلْحَقُّ فَمَن شَآءَ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ مَـَٔابًا إِنَّآ أَنذَرْنَٰكُمْ عَذَابًا قَرِيبًا يَوْمَ يَنظُرُ ٱلْمَرْءُ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ وَيَقُولُ ٱلْكَافِرُ يَٰلَيْتَنِى كُنتُ تُرَٰبًۢا

«37. The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and whatsoever is in between them, the Most Gracious, with Whom they cannot dare to speak.» «38. The Day that Ar-Rūḥ and the angels will stand forth in rows, they will not speak except him whom Ar-Raḥmān allows, and he will speak what is right.» «39. That is the True Day. So, whosoever wills, let him seek a place with His Lord!» «40. Verily, We have warned you of a near torment - the Day when man will see that which his hands have sent forth, and the disbeliever will say: "Woe to me! Would that I were dust!"»

No one will dare to speak before Allāh - not even the Angels - without first receiving Permission

Allāh informs of His magnificence and His majesty, and that He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, and whatever is in them and between them. He explains that He is the Most Gracious, Whose mercy covers all things. Then He says,

Qur’an 78:37لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِنْهُ خِطَابًا

«With Whom they cannot dare to speak.» meaning, no one is able to begin addressing Him except by His permission. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 2:255مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ

«Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission?» (2:255)

It is also similar to His statement,

Qur’an 11:105يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لَا تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ

«On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His leave.» (11:105)

Qur’an 78:38يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلرُّوحُ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ صَفًّا لَّا يَتَكَلَّمُونَ

«The Day that Ar-Rūḥ and the angels will stand forth in rows, they will not speak» (78:38)

The word Rūḥ here is referring to the angel Jibrīl. This has been said by Ash-Sha'bi, Sa'īd bin Jubayr and Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:176, and Al-Qurṭubi 19:186.} This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 26:193–194نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنذِرِينَ

«Which the trustworthy Rūḥ has brought down. Upon your heart that you may be of the warners.» (26:193-194)

Muqātil bin Ḥayyān said, "The Rūḥ is the noblest of the angels, the closest of them to the Lord, and the one who delivers the revelation."^{2Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 8:400.}

Allāh said;

Qur’an 78:38إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ

«except him whom Ar-Raḥmān allows,» This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 11:105يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لَا تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ

«On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His leave.» (11:105)

This is similar to what has been confirmed in the Ṣaḥīḥ, that the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthوَلَا يَتَكَلَّمُ يَوْمَئِذٍ إِلَّا الرُّسُلُ

«And none will speak on that Day except the Messengers.»^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 13:430.}

Allāh said,

Qur’an 78:38وَقَالَ صَوَابًا

«and he will speak what is right.» meaning, the truth. And from the truth is the fact that there is no god worthy of worship except Allāh. This is as Abu Ṣāliḥ and 'Ikrimah both said.^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:178.} In reference to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 78:39ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمُ ٱلْحَقُّ

«That is the True Day.»

meaning, it will come to pass and there is no avoiding it.

Qur’an 78:39فَمَن شَآءَ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ مَـَٔابًا

«So, whosoever wills, let him seek a place with His Lord!»

meaning, a place of return, a path that leads to Him, and a way that he may pass by to get to Him.

The Day of Judgement is Near

Allāh said,

Qur’an 78:40إِنَّآ أَنذَرْنَٰكُمْ عَذَابًا قَرِيبًا

«Verily, We have warned you of a near torment»

meaning, the Day of Judgement. It is mentioned here to emphasize the fact that its occurrence has become close, because everything that is coming will certainly come to pass.

Qur’an 78:40يَوْمَ يَنظُرُ ٱلْمَرْءُ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ

«the Day when man will see that which his hands have sent forth,»

meaning, all of his deeds will be presented to him - the good and bad, and the old and new. This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 18:49وَوَجَدُوا۟ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ حَاضِرًا

«And they will find all that they did, placed before them.» (18:49)

It is also similar to His statement,

Qur’an 75:13يُنَبَّؤُا۟ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بِمَا قَدَّمَ وَأَخَّرَ

«On that Day man will be informed of what he sent forward, and what he left behind.» (75:13)

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 78:40وَيَقُولُ ٱلْكَافِرُ يَٰلَيْتَنِى كُنتُ تُرَٰبًۢا

«and the disbeliever will say: ‘‘Woe to me! Would that I were dust!"»

meaning, the disbeliever on that Day will wish that he had only been dust in the worldly life. He will wish that he had not been created and that he had never come into existence. This will be when he sees the torment of Allāh and he looks at his wicked deeds that will be written down against him by the noble righteous scribes among angels. It has been said that he will only wish for that when Allāh passes judgement between all of the animals that were in the worldly life. He will rectify matters between them with His just wisdom that does not wrong anyone. Even the hornless sheep will be allowed to avenge itself against the sheep with horns. Then, when the judgement between them is finished, He (Allāh) will say to them (the animals), "Be dust." So they will all become dust. Upon witnessing this the disbeliever will say,

Qur’an 78:40يَٰلَيْتَنِى كُنتُ تُرَٰبًۢا

«Would that I were dust!» meaning, 'I wish I was an animal so that I would be returned to dust.' Something of similar meaning to this has been reported in the well-known Ḥadīth about the Ṣūr. There are also narrations recorded from Abu Hurayrah, 'Abdullāh bin 'Amr, and others concerning this.

This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat An-Naba'. And all praise and thanks are due to Allāh. He is the Giver of success and protection from error.