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Surah 43 of 114

Az-Zukhruf

89 verses
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1
حمٓ
Ha, Meem.
حمٓHa Meem.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(1. Ha Mim.) (2. By the manifest Book.) (3. Verily, We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that you may be able to understand.) (4. And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) (5. Shall We then take away the Reminder from you, because you are a people excessive.) (6. And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) (7. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) (8. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.)

﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ

(Ha-Mim. By the manifest Book.) means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the language of the Arabs, which is the most eloquent language for communication among people. Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ

(Verily, We have made it) meaning, revealed it,

﴿ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا

(a Qur'an in Arabic) meaning, in the language of the Arabs, eloquent and clear;

﴿ لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

(that you may be able to understand.) means, that you may understand it and ponder its meanings. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

(In the plain Arabic language.) (26:195)

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ

(And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ

(And verily, it) means, the Qur'an,

﴿ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ

(is in the Mother of the Book) meaning, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid.

﴿ لَدَيۡنَا

(with Us,) means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatadah and others.

﴿ لَعَلِىٌّ

(indeed exalted) means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatadah.

﴿ حَكِيمٌ

(full of wisdom.) means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allah says elsewhere:

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقُرۡءَانٌ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مَّكۡنُونٍ۬ لَّا يَمَسُّهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

(That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.) (56:77-80)

﴿ كَلَّآ إِنَّہَا تَذۡكِرَةٌ۬ فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُ ۥ فِى صُحُفٍ۬ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ۬ مَّرۡفُوعَةٍ۬ مُّطَهَّرَةِۭ بِأَيۡدِى سَفَرَةٍ۬ كِرَامِۭ بَرَرَةٍ۬

(Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.) (80:11-16)

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you, because you are a people excessive.) means, `do you think that We will forgive you and not punish you, when you do not do as you have been commanded' This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Abu Salih, Mujahid and As-Suddi, and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir.

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you,) Qatadah said, "By Allah, if this Qur'an had been taken away when the first generations of this Ummah rejected it, they would have been doomed, but Allah by His mercy persisted in sending it and calling them to it for twenty years, or for as long as He willed.'' What Qatadah said is very good, and his point is that Allah, by His grace and mercy towards His creation, did not stop calling them to the truth and to the wise Reminder, i.e., the Qur'an, even though they were heedless and turned away from it. Indeed, He sent it so that those who were decreed to be guided might be guided by it, and so that proof might be established against those who were decreed to be.

2
وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ
By the clear Book,
وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِBy the Book
ٱلۡمُبِينِthe clear,
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(1. Ha Mim.) (2. By the manifest Book.) (3. Verily, We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that you may be able to understand.) (4. And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) (5. Shall We then take away the Reminder from you, because you are a people excessive.) (6. And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) (7. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) (8. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.)

﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ

(Ha-Mim. By the manifest Book.) means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the language of the Arabs, which is the most eloquent language for communication among people. Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ

(Verily, We have made it) meaning, revealed it,

﴿ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا

(a Qur'an in Arabic) meaning, in the language of the Arabs, eloquent and clear;

﴿ لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

(that you may be able to understand.) means, that you may understand it and ponder its meanings. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

(In the plain Arabic language.) (26:195)

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ

(And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ

(And verily, it) means, the Qur'an,

﴿ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ

(is in the Mother of the Book) meaning, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid.

﴿ لَدَيۡنَا

(with Us,) means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatadah and others.

﴿ لَعَلِىٌّ

(indeed exalted) means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatadah.

﴿ حَكِيمٌ

(full of wisdom.) means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allah says elsewhere:

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقُرۡءَانٌ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مَّكۡنُونٍ۬ لَّا يَمَسُّهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

(That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.) (56:77-80)

﴿ كَلَّآ إِنَّہَا تَذۡكِرَةٌ۬ فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُ ۥ فِى صُحُفٍ۬ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ۬ مَّرۡفُوعَةٍ۬ مُّطَهَّرَةِۭ بِأَيۡدِى سَفَرَةٍ۬ كِرَامِۭ بَرَرَةٍ۬

(Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.) (80:11-16)

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you, because you are a people excessive.) means, `do you think that We will forgive you and not punish you, when you do not do as you have been commanded' This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Abu Salih, Mujahid and As-Suddi, and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir.

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you,) Qatadah said, "By Allah, if this Qur'an had been taken away when the first generations of this Ummah rejected it, they would have been doomed, but Allah by His mercy persisted in sending it and calling them to it for twenty years, or for as long as He willed.'' What Qatadah said is very good, and his point is that Allah, by His grace and mercy towards His creation, did not stop calling them to the truth and to the wise Reminder, i.e., the Qur'an, even though they were heedless and turned away from it. Indeed, He sent it so that those who were decreed to be guided might be guided by it, and so that proof might be established against those who were decreed to be.

3
إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ
Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.
إِنَّاIndeed, We
جَعَلۡنَـٰهُhave made it
قُرۡءَٲنًاa Quran
عَرَبِيًّ۬ا(in) Arabic
لَّعَلَّڪُمۡso that you may
تَعۡقِلُونَunderstand.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(1. Ha Mim.) (2. By the manifest Book.) (3. Verily, We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that you may be able to understand.) (4. And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) (5. Shall We then take away the Reminder from you, because you are a people excessive.) (6. And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) (7. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) (8. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.)

﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ

(Ha-Mim. By the manifest Book.) means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the language of the Arabs, which is the most eloquent language for communication among people. Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ

(Verily, We have made it) meaning, revealed it,

﴿ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا

(a Qur'an in Arabic) meaning, in the language of the Arabs, eloquent and clear;

﴿ لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

(that you may be able to understand.) means, that you may understand it and ponder its meanings. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

(In the plain Arabic language.) (26:195)

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ

(And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ

(And verily, it) means, the Qur'an,

﴿ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ

(is in the Mother of the Book) meaning, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid.

﴿ لَدَيۡنَا

(with Us,) means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatadah and others.

﴿ لَعَلِىٌّ

(indeed exalted) means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatadah.

﴿ حَكِيمٌ

(full of wisdom.) means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allah says elsewhere:

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقُرۡءَانٌ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مَّكۡنُونٍ۬ لَّا يَمَسُّهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

(That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.) (56:77-80)

﴿ كَلَّآ إِنَّہَا تَذۡكِرَةٌ۬ فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُ ۥ فِى صُحُفٍ۬ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ۬ مَّرۡفُوعَةٍ۬ مُّطَهَّرَةِۭ بِأَيۡدِى سَفَرَةٍ۬ كِرَامِۭ بَرَرَةٍ۬

(Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.) (80:11-16)

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you, because you are a people excessive.) means, `do you think that We will forgive you and not punish you, when you do not do as you have been commanded' This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Abu Salih, Mujahid and As-Suddi, and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir.

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you,) Qatadah said, "By Allah, if this Qur'an had been taken away when the first generations of this Ummah rejected it, they would have been doomed, but Allah by His mercy persisted in sending it and calling them to it for twenty years, or for as long as He willed.'' What Qatadah said is very good, and his point is that Allah, by His grace and mercy towards His creation, did not stop calling them to the truth and to the wise Reminder, i.e., the Qur'an, even though they were heedless and turned away from it. Indeed, He sent it so that those who were decreed to be guided might be guided by it, and so that proof might be established against those who were decreed to be.

4
وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ
And indeed it is, in the Mother of the Book with Us, exalted and full of wisdom.
وَإِنَّهُ ۥAnd indeed, it
فِىٓ(is) in
أُمِّ(the) Mother
ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ(of) the Book
لَدَيۡنَاwith Us,
لَعَلِىٌّsurely exalted,
حَكِيمٌfull of wisdom.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(1. Ha Mim.) (2. By the manifest Book.) (3. Verily, We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that you may be able to understand.) (4. And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) (5. Shall We then take away the Reminder from you, because you are a people excessive.) (6. And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) (7. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) (8. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.)

﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ

(Ha-Mim. By the manifest Book.) means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the language of the Arabs, which is the most eloquent language for communication among people. Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ

(Verily, We have made it) meaning, revealed it,

﴿ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا

(a Qur'an in Arabic) meaning, in the language of the Arabs, eloquent and clear;

﴿ لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

(that you may be able to understand.) means, that you may understand it and ponder its meanings. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

(In the plain Arabic language.) (26:195)

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ

(And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ

(And verily, it) means, the Qur'an,

﴿ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ

(is in the Mother of the Book) meaning, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid.

﴿ لَدَيۡنَا

(with Us,) means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatadah and others.

﴿ لَعَلِىٌّ

(indeed exalted) means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatadah.

﴿ حَكِيمٌ

(full of wisdom.) means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allah says elsewhere:

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقُرۡءَانٌ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مَّكۡنُونٍ۬ لَّا يَمَسُّهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

(That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.) (56:77-80)

﴿ كَلَّآ إِنَّہَا تَذۡكِرَةٌ۬ فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُ ۥ فِى صُحُفٍ۬ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ۬ مَّرۡفُوعَةٍ۬ مُّطَهَّرَةِۭ بِأَيۡدِى سَفَرَةٍ۬ كِرَامِۭ بَرَرَةٍ۬

(Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.) (80:11-16)

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you, because you are a people excessive.) means, `do you think that We will forgive you and not punish you, when you do not do as you have been commanded' This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Abu Salih, Mujahid and As-Suddi, and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir.

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you,) Qatadah said, "By Allah, if this Qur'an had been taken away when the first generations of this Ummah rejected it, they would have been doomed, but Allah by His mercy persisted in sending it and calling them to it for twenty years, or for as long as He willed.'' What Qatadah said is very good, and his point is that Allah, by His grace and mercy towards His creation, did not stop calling them to the truth and to the wise Reminder, i.e., the Qur'an, even though they were heedless and turned away from it. Indeed, He sent it so that those who were decreed to be guided might be guided by it, and so that proof might be established against those who were decreed to be.

5
أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ
Then should We turn the message away, disregarding you, because you are a transgressing people?
أَفَنَضۡرِبُThen should We take away
عَنكُمُfrom you
ٱلذِّڪۡرَthe Reminder,
صَفۡحًاdisregarding (you),
أَنbecause
ڪُنتُمۡyou
قَوۡمً۬ا(are) a people
مُّسۡرِفِينَtransgressing?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(1. Ha Mim.) (2. By the manifest Book.) (3. Verily, We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that you may be able to understand.) (4. And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) (5. Shall We then take away the Reminder from you, because you are a people excessive.) (6. And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) (7. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) (8. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.)

﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ

(Ha-Mim. By the manifest Book.) means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the language of the Arabs, which is the most eloquent language for communication among people. Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ

(Verily, We have made it) meaning, revealed it,

﴿ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا

(a Qur'an in Arabic) meaning, in the language of the Arabs, eloquent and clear;

﴿ لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

(that you may be able to understand.) means, that you may understand it and ponder its meanings. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

(In the plain Arabic language.) (26:195)

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ

(And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ

(And verily, it) means, the Qur'an,

﴿ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ

(is in the Mother of the Book) meaning, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid.

﴿ لَدَيۡنَا

(with Us,) means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatadah and others.

﴿ لَعَلِىٌّ

(indeed exalted) means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatadah.

﴿ حَكِيمٌ

(full of wisdom.) means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allah says elsewhere:

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقُرۡءَانٌ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مَّكۡنُونٍ۬ لَّا يَمَسُّهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

(That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.) (56:77-80)

﴿ كَلَّآ إِنَّہَا تَذۡكِرَةٌ۬ فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُ ۥ فِى صُحُفٍ۬ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ۬ مَّرۡفُوعَةٍ۬ مُّطَهَّرَةِۭ بِأَيۡدِى سَفَرَةٍ۬ كِرَامِۭ بَرَرَةٍ۬

(Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.) (80:11-16)

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you, because you are a people excessive.) means, `do you think that We will forgive you and not punish you, when you do not do as you have been commanded' This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Abu Salih, Mujahid and As-Suddi, and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir.

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you,) Qatadah said, "By Allah, if this Qur'an had been taken away when the first generations of this Ummah rejected it, they would have been doomed, but Allah by His mercy persisted in sending it and calling them to it for twenty years, or for as long as He willed.'' What Qatadah said is very good, and his point is that Allah, by His grace and mercy towards His creation, did not stop calling them to the truth and to the wise Reminder, i.e., the Qur'an, even though they were heedless and turned away from it. Indeed, He sent it so that those who were decreed to be guided might be guided by it, and so that proof might be established against those who were decreed to be.

6
وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ
And how many a prophet We sent among the former peoples,
وَكَمۡAnd how many
أَرۡسَلۡنَاWe sent
مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬a Prophet
فِىamong
ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَthe former (people),
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(1. Ha Mim.) (2. By the manifest Book.) (3. Verily, We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that you may be able to understand.) (4. And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) (5. Shall We then take away the Reminder from you, because you are a people excessive.) (6. And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) (7. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) (8. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.)

﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ

(Ha-Mim. By the manifest Book.) means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the language of the Arabs, which is the most eloquent language for communication among people. Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ

(Verily, We have made it) meaning, revealed it,

﴿ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا

(a Qur'an in Arabic) meaning, in the language of the Arabs, eloquent and clear;

﴿ لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

(that you may be able to understand.) means, that you may understand it and ponder its meanings. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

(In the plain Arabic language.) (26:195)

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ

(And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ

(And verily, it) means, the Qur'an,

﴿ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ

(is in the Mother of the Book) meaning, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid.

﴿ لَدَيۡنَا

(with Us,) means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatadah and others.

﴿ لَعَلِىٌّ

(indeed exalted) means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatadah.

﴿ حَكِيمٌ

(full of wisdom.) means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allah says elsewhere:

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقُرۡءَانٌ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مَّكۡنُونٍ۬ لَّا يَمَسُّهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

(That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.) (56:77-80)

﴿ كَلَّآ إِنَّہَا تَذۡكِرَةٌ۬ فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُ ۥ فِى صُحُفٍ۬ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ۬ مَّرۡفُوعَةٍ۬ مُّطَهَّرَةِۭ بِأَيۡدِى سَفَرَةٍ۬ كِرَامِۭ بَرَرَةٍ۬

(Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.) (80:11-16)

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you, because you are a people excessive.) means, `do you think that We will forgive you and not punish you, when you do not do as you have been commanded' This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Abu Salih, Mujahid and As-Suddi, and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir.

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you,) Qatadah said, "By Allah, if this Qur'an had been taken away when the first generations of this Ummah rejected it, they would have been doomed, but Allah by His mercy persisted in sending it and calling them to it for twenty years, or for as long as He willed.'' What Qatadah said is very good, and his point is that Allah, by His grace and mercy towards His creation, did not stop calling them to the truth and to the wise Reminder, i.e., the Qur'an, even though they were heedless and turned away from it. Indeed, He sent it so that those who were decreed to be guided might be guided by it, and so that proof might be established against those who were decreed to be.

7
وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ
But there would not come to them a prophet except that they used to ridicule him.
وَمَاAnd not
يَأۡتِيهِمcame to them
مِّن نَّبِىٍّany Prophet
إِلَّاbut
كَانُواْthey used (to)
بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَmock at him.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(1. Ha Mim.) (2. By the manifest Book.) (3. Verily, We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that you may be able to understand.) (4. And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) (5. Shall We then take away the Reminder from you, because you are a people excessive.) (6. And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) (7. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) (8. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.)

﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ

(Ha-Mim. By the manifest Book.) means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the language of the Arabs, which is the most eloquent language for communication among people. Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ

(Verily, We have made it) meaning, revealed it,

﴿ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا

(a Qur'an in Arabic) meaning, in the language of the Arabs, eloquent and clear;

﴿ لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

(that you may be able to understand.) means, that you may understand it and ponder its meanings. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

(In the plain Arabic language.) (26:195)

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ

(And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ

(And verily, it) means, the Qur'an,

﴿ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ

(is in the Mother of the Book) meaning, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid.

﴿ لَدَيۡنَا

(with Us,) means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatadah and others.

﴿ لَعَلِىٌّ

(indeed exalted) means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatadah.

﴿ حَكِيمٌ

(full of wisdom.) means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allah says elsewhere:

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقُرۡءَانٌ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مَّكۡنُونٍ۬ لَّا يَمَسُّهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

(That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.) (56:77-80)

﴿ كَلَّآ إِنَّہَا تَذۡكِرَةٌ۬ فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُ ۥ فِى صُحُفٍ۬ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ۬ مَّرۡفُوعَةٍ۬ مُّطَهَّرَةِۭ بِأَيۡدِى سَفَرَةٍ۬ كِرَامِۭ بَرَرَةٍ۬

(Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.) (80:11-16)

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you, because you are a people excessive.) means, `do you think that We will forgive you and not punish you, when you do not do as you have been commanded' This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Abu Salih, Mujahid and As-Suddi, and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir.

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you,) Qatadah said, "By Allah, if this Qur'an had been taken away when the first generations of this Ummah rejected it, they would have been doomed, but Allah by His mercy persisted in sending it and calling them to it for twenty years, or for as long as He willed.'' What Qatadah said is very good, and his point is that Allah, by His grace and mercy towards His creation, did not stop calling them to the truth and to the wise Reminder, i.e., the Qur'an, even though they were heedless and turned away from it. Indeed, He sent it so that those who were decreed to be guided might be guided by it, and so that proof might be established against those who were decreed to be.

8
فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ
And We destroyed greater than them in [striking] power, and the example of the former peoples has preceded.
فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآThen We destroyed
أَشَدَّstronger
مِنۡہُمthan them
بَطۡشً۬ا(in) power
وَمَضَىٰand has passed
مَثَلُ(the) example
ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ(of) the former (people).
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(1. Ha Mim.) (2. By the manifest Book.) (3. Verily, We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that you may be able to understand.) (4. And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) (5. Shall We then take away the Reminder from you, because you are a people excessive.) (6. And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) (7. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) (8. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.)

﴿ حمٓ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ

(Ha-Mim. By the manifest Book.) means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the language of the Arabs, which is the most eloquent language for communication among people. Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ

(Verily, We have made it) meaning, revealed it,

﴿ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا

(a Qur'an in Arabic) meaning, in the language of the Arabs, eloquent and clear;

﴿ لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

(that you may be able to understand.) means, that you may understand it and ponder its meanings. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

(In the plain Arabic language.) (26:195)

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ

(And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ

(And verily, it) means, the Qur'an,

﴿ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ

(is in the Mother of the Book) meaning, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid.

﴿ لَدَيۡنَا

(with Us,) means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatadah and others.

﴿ لَعَلِىٌّ

(indeed exalted) means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatadah.

﴿ حَكِيمٌ

(full of wisdom.) means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allah says elsewhere:

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقُرۡءَانٌ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مَّكۡنُونٍ۬ لَّا يَمَسُّهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

(That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.) (56:77-80)

﴿ كَلَّآ إِنَّہَا تَذۡكِرَةٌ۬ فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُ ۥ فِى صُحُفٍ۬ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ۬ مَّرۡفُوعَةٍ۬ مُّطَهَّرَةِۭ بِأَيۡدِى سَفَرَةٍ۬ كِرَامِۭ بَرَرَةٍ۬

(Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.) (80:11-16)

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن ڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّسۡرِفِينَ

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you, because you are a people excessive.) means, `do you think that We will forgive you and not punish you, when you do not do as you have been commanded' This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Abu Salih, Mujahid and As-Suddi, and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir.

﴿ أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّڪۡرَ صَفۡحًا

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you,) Qatadah said, "By Allah, if this Qur'an had been taken away when the first generations of this Ummah rejected it, they would have been doomed, but Allah by His mercy persisted in sending it and calling them to it for twenty years, or for as long as He willed.'' What Qatadah said is very good, and his point is that Allah, by His grace and mercy towards His creation, did not stop calling them to the truth and to the wise Reminder, i.e., the Qur'an, even though they were heedless and turned away from it. Indeed, He sent it so that those who were decreed to be guided might be guided by it, and so that proof might be established against those who were decreed to be.

9
وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
And if you should ask them, "Who has created the heavens and the earth?" they would surely say, "They were created by the Exalted in Might, the Knowing."
وَلَٮِٕنAnd if
سَأَلۡتَهُمyou ask them,
مَّنۡ`Who
خَلَقَcreated
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِthe heavens
وَٱلۡأَرۡضَand the earth?`
لَيَقُولُنَّThey will surely say,
خَلَقَهُنَّ`Has created them
ٱلۡعَزِيزُthe All-Mighty,
ٱلۡعَلِيمُthe All-Knower,`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Consolation to the Prophet for the Disbelief of Quraysh

Then Allah consoles His Prophet for the disbelief of his people, and commands him to bear it with patience.

﴿ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) meaning, among the sects (communities) of old.

﴿ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

(And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) means, they disbelieved him and mock at him.

﴿ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا

(Then We destroyed men stronger than these) means, `We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than these who disbelieve in you, O Muhammad.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُوٓاْ أَڪۡثَرَ مِنۡہُمۡ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً۬

(Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them They were more in number than them and mightier in strength) (40:82). And there are many similar Ayat.

﴿ وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(and the example of the ancients has passed away.) Mujahid said, "The way of their life.'' Qatadah said, "Their punishment.'' Others said, "Their lesson,'' i.e., `We made them a lesson for those disbelievers who came after them, that they would suffer the same end as them,' as in the Ayah at the end of this Surah:

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) (43:56);

﴿ سُنَّتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى قَدۡ خَلَتۡ فِى عِبَادِهِۖۦ

(this has been the way of Allah in dealing with His servants) (40:85).

﴿ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ ٱللَّهِ تَبۡدِيلاً۬

(and you will not find any change in the way of Allah.) (33:62)

﴿ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(9. And indeed if you ask them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') (10. Who has made for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein, in order that you may find your way.) (11. And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure, then We revive a dead land therewith, and even so you will be brought forth.) (12. And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride,) (13. In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the favor of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') (14. And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!'')

10
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ
[The one] who has made for you the earth a bed and made for you upon it roads that you might be guided
ٱلَّذِىThe One Who
جَعَلَmade
لَڪُمُfor you
ٱلۡأَرۡضَthe earth
مَهۡدً۬اa bed,
وَجَعَلَand made
لَكُمۡfor you
فِيہَاtherein
سُبُلاً۬roads
لَّعَلَّكُمۡso that you may
تَهۡتَدُونَbe guided,
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Consolation to the Prophet for the Disbelief of Quraysh

Then Allah consoles His Prophet for the disbelief of his people, and commands him to bear it with patience.

﴿ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) meaning, among the sects (communities) of old.

﴿ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

(And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) means, they disbelieved him and mock at him.

﴿ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا

(Then We destroyed men stronger than these) means, `We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than these who disbelieve in you, O Muhammad.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُوٓاْ أَڪۡثَرَ مِنۡہُمۡ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً۬

(Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them They were more in number than them and mightier in strength) (40:82). And there are many similar Ayat.

﴿ وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(and the example of the ancients has passed away.) Mujahid said, "The way of their life.'' Qatadah said, "Their punishment.'' Others said, "Their lesson,'' i.e., `We made them a lesson for those disbelievers who came after them, that they would suffer the same end as them,' as in the Ayah at the end of this Surah:

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) (43:56);

﴿ سُنَّتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى قَدۡ خَلَتۡ فِى عِبَادِهِۖۦ

(this has been the way of Allah in dealing with His servants) (40:85).

﴿ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ ٱللَّهِ تَبۡدِيلاً۬

(and you will not find any change in the way of Allah.) (33:62)

﴿ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(9. And indeed if you ask them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') (10. Who has made for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein, in order that you may find your way.) (11. And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure, then We revive a dead land therewith, and even so you will be brought forth.) (12. And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride,) (13. In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the favor of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') (14. And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!'')

11
وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ
And who sends down rain from the sky in measured amounts, and We revive thereby a dead land – thus will you be brought forth –
وَٱلَّذِىAnd the One Who
نَزَّلَsends down
مِنَfrom
ٱلسَّمَآءِthe sky
مَآءَۢwater
بِقَدَرٍ۬in (due) measure,
فَأَنشَرۡنَاthen We revive
بِهِۦwith it
بَلۡدَةً۬a land
مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚdead,
كَذَٲلِكَthus
تُخۡرَجُونَyou will be brought forth,
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Consolation to the Prophet for the Disbelief of Quraysh

Then Allah consoles His Prophet for the disbelief of his people, and commands him to bear it with patience.

﴿ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) meaning, among the sects (communities) of old.

﴿ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

(And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) means, they disbelieved him and mock at him.

﴿ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا

(Then We destroyed men stronger than these) means, `We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than these who disbelieve in you, O Muhammad.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُوٓاْ أَڪۡثَرَ مِنۡہُمۡ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً۬

(Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them They were more in number than them and mightier in strength) (40:82). And there are many similar Ayat.

﴿ وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(and the example of the ancients has passed away.) Mujahid said, "The way of their life.'' Qatadah said, "Their punishment.'' Others said, "Their lesson,'' i.e., `We made them a lesson for those disbelievers who came after them, that they would suffer the same end as them,' as in the Ayah at the end of this Surah:

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) (43:56);

﴿ سُنَّتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى قَدۡ خَلَتۡ فِى عِبَادِهِۖۦ

(this has been the way of Allah in dealing with His servants) (40:85).

﴿ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ ٱللَّهِ تَبۡدِيلاً۬

(and you will not find any change in the way of Allah.) (33:62)

﴿ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(9. And indeed if you ask them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') (10. Who has made for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein, in order that you may find your way.) (11. And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure, then We revive a dead land therewith, and even so you will be brought forth.) (12. And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride,) (13. In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the favor of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') (14. And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!'')

12
وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ
And who created the species, all of them, and has made for you of ships and animals those which you mount.
وَٱلَّذِىAnd the One Who
خَلَقَcreated
ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَthe pairs
كُلَّهَاall of them
وَجَعَلَand made
لَكُمfor you
مِّنَ[of]
ٱلۡفُلۡكِthe ships
وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِand the cattle
مَاwhat
تَرۡكَبُونَyou ride,
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Consolation to the Prophet for the Disbelief of Quraysh

Then Allah consoles His Prophet for the disbelief of his people, and commands him to bear it with patience.

﴿ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) meaning, among the sects (communities) of old.

﴿ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

(And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) means, they disbelieved him and mock at him.

﴿ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا

(Then We destroyed men stronger than these) means, `We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than these who disbelieve in you, O Muhammad.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُوٓاْ أَڪۡثَرَ مِنۡہُمۡ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً۬

(Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them They were more in number than them and mightier in strength) (40:82). And there are many similar Ayat.

﴿ وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(and the example of the ancients has passed away.) Mujahid said, "The way of their life.'' Qatadah said, "Their punishment.'' Others said, "Their lesson,'' i.e., `We made them a lesson for those disbelievers who came after them, that they would suffer the same end as them,' as in the Ayah at the end of this Surah:

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) (43:56);

﴿ سُنَّتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى قَدۡ خَلَتۡ فِى عِبَادِهِۖۦ

(this has been the way of Allah in dealing with His servants) (40:85).

﴿ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ ٱللَّهِ تَبۡدِيلاً۬

(and you will not find any change in the way of Allah.) (33:62)

﴿ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(9. And indeed if you ask them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') (10. Who has made for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein, in order that you may find your way.) (11. And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure, then We revive a dead land therewith, and even so you will be brought forth.) (12. And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride,) (13. In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the favor of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') (14. And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!'')

13
لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ
That you may settle yourselves upon their backs and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say. "Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it.
لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْThat you may sit firmly,
عَلَىٰon
ظُهُورِهِۦtheir backs,
ثُمَّthen
تَذۡكُرُواْremember
نِعۡمَةَ(the) favor
رَبِّكُمۡ(of) your Lord
إِذَاwhen
ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡyou sit firmly
عَلَيۡهِon them
وَتَقُولُواْand say,
سُبۡحَـٰنَ`Glory be (to)
ٱلَّذِىthe One Who
سَخَّرَhas subjected
لَنَاto us
هَـٰذَاthis,
وَمَاand not
ڪُنَّاwe were
لَهُ ۥof it
مُقۡرِنِينَcapable.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Consolation to the Prophet for the Disbelief of Quraysh

Then Allah consoles His Prophet for the disbelief of his people, and commands him to bear it with patience.

﴿ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) meaning, among the sects (communities) of old.

﴿ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

(And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) means, they disbelieved him and mock at him.

﴿ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا

(Then We destroyed men stronger than these) means, `We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than these who disbelieve in you, O Muhammad.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُوٓاْ أَڪۡثَرَ مِنۡہُمۡ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً۬

(Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them They were more in number than them and mightier in strength) (40:82). And there are many similar Ayat.

﴿ وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(and the example of the ancients has passed away.) Mujahid said, "The way of their life.'' Qatadah said, "Their punishment.'' Others said, "Their lesson,'' i.e., `We made them a lesson for those disbelievers who came after them, that they would suffer the same end as them,' as in the Ayah at the end of this Surah:

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) (43:56);

﴿ سُنَّتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى قَدۡ خَلَتۡ فِى عِبَادِهِۖۦ

(this has been the way of Allah in dealing with His servants) (40:85).

﴿ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ ٱللَّهِ تَبۡدِيلاً۬

(and you will not find any change in the way of Allah.) (33:62)

﴿ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(9. And indeed if you ask them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') (10. Who has made for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein, in order that you may find your way.) (11. And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure, then We revive a dead land therewith, and even so you will be brought forth.) (12. And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride,) (13. In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the favor of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') (14. And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!'')

14
وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
And indeed we, to our Lord, will [surely] return."
وَإِنَّآAnd indeed, we
إِلَىٰto
رَبِّنَاour Lord,
لَمُنقَلِبُونَwill surely return.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Consolation to the Prophet for the Disbelief of Quraysh

Then Allah consoles His Prophet for the disbelief of his people, and commands him to bear it with patience.

﴿ وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِىٍّ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) meaning, among the sects (communities) of old.

﴿ وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

(And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) means, they disbelieved him and mock at him.

﴿ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُم بَطۡشً۬ا

(Then We destroyed men stronger than these) means, `We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than these who disbelieve in you, O Muhammad.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُوٓاْ أَڪۡثَرَ مِنۡہُمۡ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً۬

(Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them They were more in number than them and mightier in strength) (40:82). And there are many similar Ayat.

﴿ وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

(and the example of the ancients has passed away.) Mujahid said, "The way of their life.'' Qatadah said, "Their punishment.'' Others said, "Their lesson,'' i.e., `We made them a lesson for those disbelievers who came after them, that they would suffer the same end as them,' as in the Ayah at the end of this Surah:

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) (43:56);

﴿ سُنَّتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى قَدۡ خَلَتۡ فِى عِبَادِهِۖۦ

(this has been the way of Allah in dealing with His servants) (40:85).

﴿ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ ٱللَّهِ تَبۡدِيلاً۬

(and you will not find any change in the way of Allah.) (33:62)

﴿ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(9. And indeed if you ask them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') (10. Who has made for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein, in order that you may find your way.) (11. And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure, then We revive a dead land therewith, and even so you will be brought forth.) (12. And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride,) (13. In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the favor of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') (14. And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!'')

15
وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ
But they have attributed to Him from His servants a portion. Indeed, man is clearly ungrateful.
وَجَعَلُواْBut they attribute
لَهُ ۥto Him
مِنۡfrom
عِبَادِهِۦHis slaves
جُزۡءًا‌ۚa portion.
إِنَّIndeed,
ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَman
لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌsurely (is) clearly ungrateful.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators' admission that Allah is the Sole Creator, and Further Evidence of that

Allah says: `If you, O Muhammad, were to ask these idolaters who associate others with Allah and worship others besides Him,'

﴿ مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

("Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') In other words, they will admit that the Creator of all that is Allah Alone, with no partner or associate, yet they still worship others -- idols and false gods -- alongside Him.

﴿ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا

(Who has made for you the earth like a bed,) means, smooth, stable and firm, so that you can travel about in it, and stand on it and sleep and walk about, even though it is created above water, but He has strengthened it with the mountains, lest it should shake.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬

(and has made for you roads therein,) means, paths between the mountains and the valleys.

﴿ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ

(in order that you may find your way.) means, in your journeys from city to city, region to region, land to land.

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬

(And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure,) means, according to what is sufficient for your crops, fruits and drinking water for yourselves and your cattle.

﴿ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ

(then We revive a dead land therewith,) means, a barren land, for when the water comes to it, it is stirred (to life), and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth). By referring to the revival of the earth, Allah draws attention to how He will bring bodies back to life on the Day of Resurrection, after they have been dead.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ

(and even so you will be brought forth.) Then Allah says:

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا

(And Who has created all the pairs) meaning, of everything that grows in the earth, all kinds of plants, crops, fruits, flowers, etc., and all different kinds of animals.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ

(and has appointed for you ships) or vessels,

﴿ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ

(and cattle on which you ride.) means, He has subjugated them to you and made it easy for you to eat their meat, drink their milk and ride on their backs. Allah says:

﴿ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(In order that you may mount on their backs,) meaning, sit comfortably and securely,

﴿ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(on their backs) means, on the backs of these kinds of animals.

﴿ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ

(and then may remember the favor of your Lord) means, whereby these animals are subjugated to you.

﴿ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ

(when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') means, if it were not for the fact that Allah has subjugated these things to us, we could never have done this by our own strength.' Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said: "We could not have done this ourselves.''

﴿ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return.) means, `We will return to Him after our death, and our ultimate destination is with Him.' In this Ayah, mention of earthly journeys draws attention to the journey of the Hereafter, just as elsewhere, mention of earthly provision draws attention to the importance of ensuring provision for the Hereafter, as Allah says:

﴿ وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيۡرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۚ

(And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the Taqwa) (2:197). And mention of earthly garments is also used to draw attention to the raiment of the Hereafter:

﴿ وَرِيشً۬ا‌ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬‌ۚ

(and as an adornment; and the raiment of the Taqwa, that is better) (7:26).

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(15. Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) (16. Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) (17. And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) (18. A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) (19. And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious. Did they witness their creation Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned!) (20. And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious,

16
أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ
Or has He taken, out of what He has created, daughters and chosen you for [having] sons?
أَمِOr
ٱتَّخَذَhas He taken
مِمَّاof what,
يَخۡلُقُHe has created,
بَنَاتٍ۬daughters
وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُمand He has chosen (for) you
بِٱلۡبَنِينَsons.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators' admission that Allah is the Sole Creator, and Further Evidence of that

Allah says: `If you, O Muhammad, were to ask these idolaters who associate others with Allah and worship others besides Him,'

﴿ مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

("Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') In other words, they will admit that the Creator of all that is Allah Alone, with no partner or associate, yet they still worship others -- idols and false gods -- alongside Him.

﴿ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا

(Who has made for you the earth like a bed,) means, smooth, stable and firm, so that you can travel about in it, and stand on it and sleep and walk about, even though it is created above water, but He has strengthened it with the mountains, lest it should shake.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬

(and has made for you roads therein,) means, paths between the mountains and the valleys.

﴿ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ

(in order that you may find your way.) means, in your journeys from city to city, region to region, land to land.

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬

(And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure,) means, according to what is sufficient for your crops, fruits and drinking water for yourselves and your cattle.

﴿ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ

(then We revive a dead land therewith,) means, a barren land, for when the water comes to it, it is stirred (to life), and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth). By referring to the revival of the earth, Allah draws attention to how He will bring bodies back to life on the Day of Resurrection, after they have been dead.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ

(and even so you will be brought forth.) Then Allah says:

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا

(And Who has created all the pairs) meaning, of everything that grows in the earth, all kinds of plants, crops, fruits, flowers, etc., and all different kinds of animals.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ

(and has appointed for you ships) or vessels,

﴿ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ

(and cattle on which you ride.) means, He has subjugated them to you and made it easy for you to eat their meat, drink their milk and ride on their backs. Allah says:

﴿ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(In order that you may mount on their backs,) meaning, sit comfortably and securely,

﴿ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(on their backs) means, on the backs of these kinds of animals.

﴿ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ

(and then may remember the favor of your Lord) means, whereby these animals are subjugated to you.

﴿ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ

(when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') means, if it were not for the fact that Allah has subjugated these things to us, we could never have done this by our own strength.' Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said: "We could not have done this ourselves.''

﴿ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return.) means, `We will return to Him after our death, and our ultimate destination is with Him.' In this Ayah, mention of earthly journeys draws attention to the journey of the Hereafter, just as elsewhere, mention of earthly provision draws attention to the importance of ensuring provision for the Hereafter, as Allah says:

﴿ وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيۡرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۚ

(And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the Taqwa) (2:197). And mention of earthly garments is also used to draw attention to the raiment of the Hereafter:

﴿ وَرِيشً۬ا‌ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬‌ۚ

(and as an adornment; and the raiment of the Taqwa, that is better) (7:26).

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(15. Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) (16. Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) (17. And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) (18. A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) (19. And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious. Did they witness their creation Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned!) (20. And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious,

17
وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ
And when one of them is given good tidings of that which he attributes to the Most Merciful in comparison, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief.
وَإِذَاAnd when
بُشِّرَis given good news,
أَحَدُهُم(to) one of them,
بِمَاof what
ضَرَبَhe sets up
لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِfor the Most Gracious
مَثَلاً۬(as) a likeness,
ظَلَّbecomes
وَجۡهُهُ ۥhis face
مُسۡوَدًّ۬اdark
وَهُوَand he
كَظِيمٌ(is) filled with grief.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators' admission that Allah is the Sole Creator, and Further Evidence of that

Allah says: `If you, O Muhammad, were to ask these idolaters who associate others with Allah and worship others besides Him,'

﴿ مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

("Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') In other words, they will admit that the Creator of all that is Allah Alone, with no partner or associate, yet they still worship others -- idols and false gods -- alongside Him.

﴿ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا

(Who has made for you the earth like a bed,) means, smooth, stable and firm, so that you can travel about in it, and stand on it and sleep and walk about, even though it is created above water, but He has strengthened it with the mountains, lest it should shake.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬

(and has made for you roads therein,) means, paths between the mountains and the valleys.

﴿ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ

(in order that you may find your way.) means, in your journeys from city to city, region to region, land to land.

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬

(And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure,) means, according to what is sufficient for your crops, fruits and drinking water for yourselves and your cattle.

﴿ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ

(then We revive a dead land therewith,) means, a barren land, for when the water comes to it, it is stirred (to life), and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth). By referring to the revival of the earth, Allah draws attention to how He will bring bodies back to life on the Day of Resurrection, after they have been dead.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ

(and even so you will be brought forth.) Then Allah says:

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا

(And Who has created all the pairs) meaning, of everything that grows in the earth, all kinds of plants, crops, fruits, flowers, etc., and all different kinds of animals.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ

(and has appointed for you ships) or vessels,

﴿ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ

(and cattle on which you ride.) means, He has subjugated them to you and made it easy for you to eat their meat, drink their milk and ride on their backs. Allah says:

﴿ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(In order that you may mount on their backs,) meaning, sit comfortably and securely,

﴿ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(on their backs) means, on the backs of these kinds of animals.

﴿ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ

(and then may remember the favor of your Lord) means, whereby these animals are subjugated to you.

﴿ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ

(when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') means, if it were not for the fact that Allah has subjugated these things to us, we could never have done this by our own strength.' Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said: "We could not have done this ourselves.''

﴿ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return.) means, `We will return to Him after our death, and our ultimate destination is with Him.' In this Ayah, mention of earthly journeys draws attention to the journey of the Hereafter, just as elsewhere, mention of earthly provision draws attention to the importance of ensuring provision for the Hereafter, as Allah says:

﴿ وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيۡرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۚ

(And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the Taqwa) (2:197). And mention of earthly garments is also used to draw attention to the raiment of the Hereafter:

﴿ وَرِيشً۬ا‌ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬‌ۚ

(and as an adornment; and the raiment of the Taqwa, that is better) (7:26).

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(15. Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) (16. Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) (17. And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) (18. A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) (19. And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious. Did they witness their creation Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned!) (20. And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious,

18
أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬
So is one brought up in ornaments while being during conflict unevident [attributed to Allah]?
أَوَمَنThen (is one) who
يُنَشَّؤُاْis brought up
فِىin
ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِornaments
وَهُوَand he
فِىin
ٱلۡخِصَامِthe dispute
غَيۡرُ(is) not
مُبِينٍ۬clear.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators' admission that Allah is the Sole Creator, and Further Evidence of that

Allah says: `If you, O Muhammad, were to ask these idolaters who associate others with Allah and worship others besides Him,'

﴿ مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

("Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') In other words, they will admit that the Creator of all that is Allah Alone, with no partner or associate, yet they still worship others -- idols and false gods -- alongside Him.

﴿ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا

(Who has made for you the earth like a bed,) means, smooth, stable and firm, so that you can travel about in it, and stand on it and sleep and walk about, even though it is created above water, but He has strengthened it with the mountains, lest it should shake.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬

(and has made for you roads therein,) means, paths between the mountains and the valleys.

﴿ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ

(in order that you may find your way.) means, in your journeys from city to city, region to region, land to land.

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬

(And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure,) means, according to what is sufficient for your crops, fruits and drinking water for yourselves and your cattle.

﴿ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ

(then We revive a dead land therewith,) means, a barren land, for when the water comes to it, it is stirred (to life), and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth). By referring to the revival of the earth, Allah draws attention to how He will bring bodies back to life on the Day of Resurrection, after they have been dead.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ

(and even so you will be brought forth.) Then Allah says:

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا

(And Who has created all the pairs) meaning, of everything that grows in the earth, all kinds of plants, crops, fruits, flowers, etc., and all different kinds of animals.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ

(and has appointed for you ships) or vessels,

﴿ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ

(and cattle on which you ride.) means, He has subjugated them to you and made it easy for you to eat their meat, drink their milk and ride on their backs. Allah says:

﴿ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(In order that you may mount on their backs,) meaning, sit comfortably and securely,

﴿ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(on their backs) means, on the backs of these kinds of animals.

﴿ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ

(and then may remember the favor of your Lord) means, whereby these animals are subjugated to you.

﴿ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ

(when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') means, if it were not for the fact that Allah has subjugated these things to us, we could never have done this by our own strength.' Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said: "We could not have done this ourselves.''

﴿ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return.) means, `We will return to Him after our death, and our ultimate destination is with Him.' In this Ayah, mention of earthly journeys draws attention to the journey of the Hereafter, just as elsewhere, mention of earthly provision draws attention to the importance of ensuring provision for the Hereafter, as Allah says:

﴿ وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيۡرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۚ

(And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the Taqwa) (2:197). And mention of earthly garments is also used to draw attention to the raiment of the Hereafter:

﴿ وَرِيشً۬ا‌ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬‌ۚ

(and as an adornment; and the raiment of the Taqwa, that is better) (7:26).

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(15. Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) (16. Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) (17. And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) (18. A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) (19. And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious. Did they witness their creation Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned!) (20. And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious,

19
وَجَعَلُواْٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ
And they have made the angels, who are servants of the Most Merciful, females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned.
وَجَعَلُواْAnd they made,
ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَthe Angels,
ٱلَّذِينَthose who
هُمۡthemselves
عِبَـٰدُ(are) slaves
ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ(of) the Most Gracious,
إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚfemales.
أَشَهِدُواْDid they witness
خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚtheir creation?
سَتُكۡتَبُWill be recorded
شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡtheir testimony,
وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَand they will be questioned.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators' admission that Allah is the Sole Creator, and Further Evidence of that

Allah says: `If you, O Muhammad, were to ask these idolaters who associate others with Allah and worship others besides Him,'

﴿ مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

("Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') In other words, they will admit that the Creator of all that is Allah Alone, with no partner or associate, yet they still worship others -- idols and false gods -- alongside Him.

﴿ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا

(Who has made for you the earth like a bed,) means, smooth, stable and firm, so that you can travel about in it, and stand on it and sleep and walk about, even though it is created above water, but He has strengthened it with the mountains, lest it should shake.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬

(and has made for you roads therein,) means, paths between the mountains and the valleys.

﴿ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ

(in order that you may find your way.) means, in your journeys from city to city, region to region, land to land.

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬

(And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure,) means, according to what is sufficient for your crops, fruits and drinking water for yourselves and your cattle.

﴿ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ

(then We revive a dead land therewith,) means, a barren land, for when the water comes to it, it is stirred (to life), and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth). By referring to the revival of the earth, Allah draws attention to how He will bring bodies back to life on the Day of Resurrection, after they have been dead.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ

(and even so you will be brought forth.) Then Allah says:

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا

(And Who has created all the pairs) meaning, of everything that grows in the earth, all kinds of plants, crops, fruits, flowers, etc., and all different kinds of animals.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ

(and has appointed for you ships) or vessels,

﴿ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ

(and cattle on which you ride.) means, He has subjugated them to you and made it easy for you to eat their meat, drink their milk and ride on their backs. Allah says:

﴿ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(In order that you may mount on their backs,) meaning, sit comfortably and securely,

﴿ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(on their backs) means, on the backs of these kinds of animals.

﴿ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ

(and then may remember the favor of your Lord) means, whereby these animals are subjugated to you.

﴿ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ

(when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') means, if it were not for the fact that Allah has subjugated these things to us, we could never have done this by our own strength.' Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said: "We could not have done this ourselves.''

﴿ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return.) means, `We will return to Him after our death, and our ultimate destination is with Him.' In this Ayah, mention of earthly journeys draws attention to the journey of the Hereafter, just as elsewhere, mention of earthly provision draws attention to the importance of ensuring provision for the Hereafter, as Allah says:

﴿ وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيۡرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۚ

(And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the Taqwa) (2:197). And mention of earthly garments is also used to draw attention to the raiment of the Hereafter:

﴿ وَرِيشً۬ا‌ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬‌ۚ

(and as an adornment; and the raiment of the Taqwa, that is better) (7:26).

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(15. Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) (16. Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) (17. And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) (18. A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) (19. And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious. Did they witness their creation Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned!) (20. And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious,

20
وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ
And they said, "If the Most Merciful had willed, we would not have worshipped them." They have of that no knowledge. They are not but falsifying.
وَقَالُواْAnd they say,
لَوۡ`If
شَآءَhad willed
ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُthe Most Gracious,
مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗwe would not have worshipped them.`
مَّاNot
لَهُمthey have
بِذَٲلِكَabout that
مِنۡany
عِلۡمٍ‌ۖknowledge.
إِنۡNothing
هُمۡthey (do)
إِلَّاbut
يَخۡرُصُونَlie.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators' admission that Allah is the Sole Creator, and Further Evidence of that

Allah says: `If you, O Muhammad, were to ask these idolaters who associate others with Allah and worship others besides Him,'

﴿ مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

("Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') In other words, they will admit that the Creator of all that is Allah Alone, with no partner or associate, yet they still worship others -- idols and false gods -- alongside Him.

﴿ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا

(Who has made for you the earth like a bed,) means, smooth, stable and firm, so that you can travel about in it, and stand on it and sleep and walk about, even though it is created above water, but He has strengthened it with the mountains, lest it should shake.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬

(and has made for you roads therein,) means, paths between the mountains and the valleys.

﴿ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ

(in order that you may find your way.) means, in your journeys from city to city, region to region, land to land.

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬

(And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure,) means, according to what is sufficient for your crops, fruits and drinking water for yourselves and your cattle.

﴿ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا‌ۚ

(then We revive a dead land therewith,) means, a barren land, for when the water comes to it, it is stirred (to life), and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth). By referring to the revival of the earth, Allah draws attention to how He will bring bodies back to life on the Day of Resurrection, after they have been dead.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ

(and even so you will be brought forth.) Then Allah says:

﴿ وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٲجَ كُلَّهَا

(And Who has created all the pairs) meaning, of everything that grows in the earth, all kinds of plants, crops, fruits, flowers, etc., and all different kinds of animals.

﴿ وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ

(and has appointed for you ships) or vessels,

﴿ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَ

(and cattle on which you ride.) means, He has subjugated them to you and made it easy for you to eat their meat, drink their milk and ride on their backs. Allah says:

﴿ لِتَسۡتَوُ ۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(In order that you may mount on their backs,) meaning, sit comfortably and securely,

﴿ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ

(on their backs) means, on the backs of these kinds of animals.

﴿ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ

(and then may remember the favor of your Lord) means, whereby these animals are subjugated to you.

﴿ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ

(when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could have never had it.'') means, if it were not for the fact that Allah has subjugated these things to us, we could never have done this by our own strength.' Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said: "We could not have done this ourselves.''

﴿ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

(And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return.) means, `We will return to Him after our death, and our ultimate destination is with Him.' In this Ayah, mention of earthly journeys draws attention to the journey of the Hereafter, just as elsewhere, mention of earthly provision draws attention to the importance of ensuring provision for the Hereafter, as Allah says:

﴿ وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيۡرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۚ

(And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the Taqwa) (2:197). And mention of earthly garments is also used to draw attention to the raiment of the Hereafter:

﴿ وَرِيشً۬ا‌ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬‌ۚ

(and as an adornment; and the raiment of the Taqwa, that is better) (7:26).

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(15. Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) (16. Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) (17. And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) (18. A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) (19. And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious. Did they witness their creation Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned!) (20. And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious,

21
أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ
Or have We given them a book before the Qur’an to which they are adhering?
أَمۡOr
ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡhave We given them
ڪِتَـٰبً۬اa book
مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦbefore it,
فَهُمso they
بِهِۦto it
مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ(are) holding fast?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Condemnation of the Idolators' attribution of Offspring to Allah

Here Allah speaks of the lies and fabrications of the idolaters, when they devoted some of their cattle to their false gods and some to Allah, as He described in Surat Al-An`am where He said:

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ مِمَّا ذَرَأَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَرۡثِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ نَصِيبً۬ا فَقَالُواْ هَـٰذَا لِلَّهِ بِزَعۡمِهِمۡ وَهَـٰذَا لِشُرَكَآٮِٕنَا‌ۖ فَمَا ڪَانَ لِشُرَڪَآٮِٕهِمۡ فَلَا يَصِلُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَمَا ڪَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ يَصِلُ إِلَىٰ شُرَڪَآٮِٕهِمۡ‌ۗ سَآءَ مَا يَحۡڪُمُونَ

(And they assign to Allah share of the tilth and cattle which He has created, and they say: "This is for Allah'' according to their claim, "and this is for our partners.'' But the share of their partners reaches not Allah, while the share of Allah reaches their partners! Evil is the way they judge!) (6:136). Similarly, out of the two kinds of offspring, sons and daughters, they assigned to Him the worst and least valuable (in their eyes), i.e., daughters, as Allah says:

﴿ أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلۡأُنثَىٰ تِلۡكَ إِذً۬ا قِسۡمَةٌ۬ ضِيزَىٰٓ

(Is it for you the males and for Him the females That indeed is a division most unfair!) (53:21-22) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ

(Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) Then He says:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ

(Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) This is a denunciation of them in the strongest terms, as He goes on to say:

﴿ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ

(And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) means, if one of these people is given the news that there has been born to him one of those which he attributes to Allah, i.e., a daughter, he hates this news and it depresses and overwhelms him so much that he keeps away from people because he feels so ashamed. Allah says, so how can they dislike that so much and yet they attribute it to Allah

﴿ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬

(A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) means, women are regarded as lacking something, which they make up for with jewelry and adornments from the time of childhood onwards, and when there is a dispute, they cannot speak up and defend themselves clearly, so how can this be attributed to Allah

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ

(And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious.) means, that is what they believe about them, but Allah denounces them for that and says:

﴿ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ

(Did they witness their creation) meaning, did they see Allah creating them as females

﴿ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ

(Their testimony will be recorded,) means, concerning that,

﴿ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ

(and they will be questioned!) means, about that, on the Day of Resurrection. This is a stern warning and a serious threat.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ

(And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious, we should not have worshipped them.'') means, (they said:) `if Allah had willed, He would have prevented us from worshipping these idols which are images of the angels who are the daughters of Allah; He knows about this and He approves of it.' By saying this, they combined several types of error: First: They attributed offspring to Allah -- exalted and sanctified be He far above that. Second: They claimed that He chose daughters rather than sons, and they made the angels, who are the servants of the Most Gracious, female. Third: They worshipped them with no proof, evidence or permission from Allah. This was based on mere opinion, whims and desires, imitation of their elders and forefathers, and pure ignorance. They used Allah's decree as an excuse, and this reasoning betrayed their ignorance. Fourth: Allah denounced them for this in the strongest terms, for from the time He first sent Messengers and revealed Books, the command was to worship Him Alone with no partner or associate, and it was forbidden to worship anything other than Him. Allah says:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةُ‌ۚ فَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid all false deities.'' Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied.) (16:36)

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45) And Allah says in this Ayah, after mentioning this argument of theirs:

﴿ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ

(They have no knowledge whatsoever of that.) meaning, of the truth of what they say and the arguments they put forward.

﴿ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(They do nothing but lie!) means, they tell lies and fabricate untruths.

﴿ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(They have no knowledge whatsoever of that. They do nothing but lie!) Mujahid said, "They do not appreciate the power of Allah.''

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ قَـٰلَ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(21. Or have We given them any Book before this (the Qur'an) to which they are holding fast) (22. Nay! They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') (23. And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') (24. He said: "Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') (25. So We took revenge on them, then see what was the end of those who denied.)

22
بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ
Rather, they say, "Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are in their footsteps [rightly] guided."
بَلۡNay,
قَالُوٓاْthey say,
إِنَّا`Indeed, we
وَجَدۡنَآ[we] found
ءَابَآءَنَاour forefathers
عَلَىٰٓupon
أُمَّةٍ۬a religion
وَإِنَّاand indeed, we
عَلَىٰٓon
ءَاثَـٰرِهِمtheir footsteps
مُّهۡتَدُونَ(are) guided.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Condemnation of the Idolators' attribution of Offspring to Allah

Here Allah speaks of the lies and fabrications of the idolaters, when they devoted some of their cattle to their false gods and some to Allah, as He described in Surat Al-An`am where He said:

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ مِمَّا ذَرَأَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَرۡثِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ نَصِيبً۬ا فَقَالُواْ هَـٰذَا لِلَّهِ بِزَعۡمِهِمۡ وَهَـٰذَا لِشُرَكَآٮِٕنَا‌ۖ فَمَا ڪَانَ لِشُرَڪَآٮِٕهِمۡ فَلَا يَصِلُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَمَا ڪَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ يَصِلُ إِلَىٰ شُرَڪَآٮِٕهِمۡ‌ۗ سَآءَ مَا يَحۡڪُمُونَ

(And they assign to Allah share of the tilth and cattle which He has created, and they say: "This is for Allah'' according to their claim, "and this is for our partners.'' But the share of their partners reaches not Allah, while the share of Allah reaches their partners! Evil is the way they judge!) (6:136). Similarly, out of the two kinds of offspring, sons and daughters, they assigned to Him the worst and least valuable (in their eyes), i.e., daughters, as Allah says:

﴿ أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلۡأُنثَىٰ تِلۡكَ إِذً۬ا قِسۡمَةٌ۬ ضِيزَىٰٓ

(Is it for you the males and for Him the females That indeed is a division most unfair!) (53:21-22) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ

(Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) Then He says:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ

(Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) This is a denunciation of them in the strongest terms, as He goes on to say:

﴿ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ

(And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) means, if one of these people is given the news that there has been born to him one of those which he attributes to Allah, i.e., a daughter, he hates this news and it depresses and overwhelms him so much that he keeps away from people because he feels so ashamed. Allah says, so how can they dislike that so much and yet they attribute it to Allah

﴿ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬

(A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) means, women are regarded as lacking something, which they make up for with jewelry and adornments from the time of childhood onwards, and when there is a dispute, they cannot speak up and defend themselves clearly, so how can this be attributed to Allah

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ

(And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious.) means, that is what they believe about them, but Allah denounces them for that and says:

﴿ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ

(Did they witness their creation) meaning, did they see Allah creating them as females

﴿ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ

(Their testimony will be recorded,) means, concerning that,

﴿ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ

(and they will be questioned!) means, about that, on the Day of Resurrection. This is a stern warning and a serious threat.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ

(And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious, we should not have worshipped them.'') means, (they said:) `if Allah had willed, He would have prevented us from worshipping these idols which are images of the angels who are the daughters of Allah; He knows about this and He approves of it.' By saying this, they combined several types of error: First: They attributed offspring to Allah -- exalted and sanctified be He far above that. Second: They claimed that He chose daughters rather than sons, and they made the angels, who are the servants of the Most Gracious, female. Third: They worshipped them with no proof, evidence or permission from Allah. This was based on mere opinion, whims and desires, imitation of their elders and forefathers, and pure ignorance. They used Allah's decree as an excuse, and this reasoning betrayed their ignorance. Fourth: Allah denounced them for this in the strongest terms, for from the time He first sent Messengers and revealed Books, the command was to worship Him Alone with no partner or associate, and it was forbidden to worship anything other than Him. Allah says:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةُ‌ۚ فَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid all false deities.'' Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied.) (16:36)

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45) And Allah says in this Ayah, after mentioning this argument of theirs:

﴿ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ

(They have no knowledge whatsoever of that.) meaning, of the truth of what they say and the arguments they put forward.

﴿ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(They do nothing but lie!) means, they tell lies and fabricate untruths.

﴿ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(They have no knowledge whatsoever of that. They do nothing but lie!) Mujahid said, "They do not appreciate the power of Allah.''

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ قَـٰلَ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(21. Or have We given them any Book before this (the Qur'an) to which they are holding fast) (22. Nay! They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') (23. And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') (24. He said: "Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') (25. So We took revenge on them, then see what was the end of those who denied.)

23
وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ
And similarly, We did not send before you any warner into a city except that its affluent said, "Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are, in their footsteps, following."
وَكَذَٲلِكَAnd thus
مَآnot
أَرۡسَلۡنَاWe sent
مِن قَبۡلِكَbefore you
فِىin
قَرۡيَةٍ۬a town
مِّنany
نَّذِيرٍwarner
إِلَّاexcept
قَالَsaid
مُتۡرَفُوهَآ(the) wealthy ones of it,
إِنَّا`Indeed, we
وَجَدۡنَآ[we] found
ءَابَآءَنَاour forefathers
عَلَىٰٓon
أُمَّةٍ۬a religion,
وَإِنَّاand indeed, we
عَلَىٰٓ[on]
ءَاثَـٰرِهِمtheir footsteps
مُّقۡتَدُونَ(are) following.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Condemnation of the Idolators' attribution of Offspring to Allah

Here Allah speaks of the lies and fabrications of the idolaters, when they devoted some of their cattle to their false gods and some to Allah, as He described in Surat Al-An`am where He said:

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ مِمَّا ذَرَأَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَرۡثِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ نَصِيبً۬ا فَقَالُواْ هَـٰذَا لِلَّهِ بِزَعۡمِهِمۡ وَهَـٰذَا لِشُرَكَآٮِٕنَا‌ۖ فَمَا ڪَانَ لِشُرَڪَآٮِٕهِمۡ فَلَا يَصِلُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَمَا ڪَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ يَصِلُ إِلَىٰ شُرَڪَآٮِٕهِمۡ‌ۗ سَآءَ مَا يَحۡڪُمُونَ

(And they assign to Allah share of the tilth and cattle which He has created, and they say: "This is for Allah'' according to their claim, "and this is for our partners.'' But the share of their partners reaches not Allah, while the share of Allah reaches their partners! Evil is the way they judge!) (6:136). Similarly, out of the two kinds of offspring, sons and daughters, they assigned to Him the worst and least valuable (in their eyes), i.e., daughters, as Allah says:

﴿ أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلۡأُنثَىٰ تِلۡكَ إِذً۬ا قِسۡمَةٌ۬ ضِيزَىٰٓ

(Is it for you the males and for Him the females That indeed is a division most unfair!) (53:21-22) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ

(Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) Then He says:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ

(Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) This is a denunciation of them in the strongest terms, as He goes on to say:

﴿ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ

(And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) means, if one of these people is given the news that there has been born to him one of those which he attributes to Allah, i.e., a daughter, he hates this news and it depresses and overwhelms him so much that he keeps away from people because he feels so ashamed. Allah says, so how can they dislike that so much and yet they attribute it to Allah

﴿ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬

(A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) means, women are regarded as lacking something, which they make up for with jewelry and adornments from the time of childhood onwards, and when there is a dispute, they cannot speak up and defend themselves clearly, so how can this be attributed to Allah

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ

(And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious.) means, that is what they believe about them, but Allah denounces them for that and says:

﴿ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ

(Did they witness their creation) meaning, did they see Allah creating them as females

﴿ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ

(Their testimony will be recorded,) means, concerning that,

﴿ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ

(and they will be questioned!) means, about that, on the Day of Resurrection. This is a stern warning and a serious threat.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ

(And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious, we should not have worshipped them.'') means, (they said:) `if Allah had willed, He would have prevented us from worshipping these idols which are images of the angels who are the daughters of Allah; He knows about this and He approves of it.' By saying this, they combined several types of error: First: They attributed offspring to Allah -- exalted and sanctified be He far above that. Second: They claimed that He chose daughters rather than sons, and they made the angels, who are the servants of the Most Gracious, female. Third: They worshipped them with no proof, evidence or permission from Allah. This was based on mere opinion, whims and desires, imitation of their elders and forefathers, and pure ignorance. They used Allah's decree as an excuse, and this reasoning betrayed their ignorance. Fourth: Allah denounced them for this in the strongest terms, for from the time He first sent Messengers and revealed Books, the command was to worship Him Alone with no partner or associate, and it was forbidden to worship anything other than Him. Allah says:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةُ‌ۚ فَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid all false deities.'' Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied.) (16:36)

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45) And Allah says in this Ayah, after mentioning this argument of theirs:

﴿ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ

(They have no knowledge whatsoever of that.) meaning, of the truth of what they say and the arguments they put forward.

﴿ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(They do nothing but lie!) means, they tell lies and fabricate untruths.

﴿ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(They have no knowledge whatsoever of that. They do nothing but lie!) Mujahid said, "They do not appreciate the power of Allah.''

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ قَـٰلَ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(21. Or have We given them any Book before this (the Qur'an) to which they are holding fast) (22. Nay! They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') (23. And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') (24. He said: "Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') (25. So We took revenge on them, then see what was the end of those who denied.)

24
قَـٰلَ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ
[Each warner] said, "Even if I brought you better guidance than that [religion] upon which you found your fathers?" They said, "Indeed we, in that with which you were sent, are disbelievers."
۞ قَـٰلَHe said,
أَوَلَوۡ`Even if
جِئۡتُكُمI brought you
بِأَهۡدَىٰbetter guidance
مِمَّاthan what
وَجَدتُّمۡyou found
عَلَيۡهِon it
ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖyour forefathers?`
قَالُوٓاْThey said,
إِنَّا`Indeed, we
بِمَآwith what
أُرۡسِلۡتُمyou are sent
بِهِۦwith [it]
كَـٰفِرُونَ(are) disbelievers.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Condemnation of the Idolators' attribution of Offspring to Allah

Here Allah speaks of the lies and fabrications of the idolaters, when they devoted some of their cattle to their false gods and some to Allah, as He described in Surat Al-An`am where He said:

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ مِمَّا ذَرَأَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَرۡثِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ نَصِيبً۬ا فَقَالُواْ هَـٰذَا لِلَّهِ بِزَعۡمِهِمۡ وَهَـٰذَا لِشُرَكَآٮِٕنَا‌ۖ فَمَا ڪَانَ لِشُرَڪَآٮِٕهِمۡ فَلَا يَصِلُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَمَا ڪَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ يَصِلُ إِلَىٰ شُرَڪَآٮِٕهِمۡ‌ۗ سَآءَ مَا يَحۡڪُمُونَ

(And they assign to Allah share of the tilth and cattle which He has created, and they say: "This is for Allah'' according to their claim, "and this is for our partners.'' But the share of their partners reaches not Allah, while the share of Allah reaches their partners! Evil is the way they judge!) (6:136). Similarly, out of the two kinds of offspring, sons and daughters, they assigned to Him the worst and least valuable (in their eyes), i.e., daughters, as Allah says:

﴿ أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلۡأُنثَىٰ تِلۡكَ إِذً۬ا قِسۡمَةٌ۬ ضِيزَىٰٓ

(Is it for you the males and for Him the females That indeed is a division most unfair!) (53:21-22) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ

(Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) Then He says:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ

(Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) This is a denunciation of them in the strongest terms, as He goes on to say:

﴿ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ

(And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) means, if one of these people is given the news that there has been born to him one of those which he attributes to Allah, i.e., a daughter, he hates this news and it depresses and overwhelms him so much that he keeps away from people because he feels so ashamed. Allah says, so how can they dislike that so much and yet they attribute it to Allah

﴿ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬

(A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) means, women are regarded as lacking something, which they make up for with jewelry and adornments from the time of childhood onwards, and when there is a dispute, they cannot speak up and defend themselves clearly, so how can this be attributed to Allah

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ

(And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious.) means, that is what they believe about them, but Allah denounces them for that and says:

﴿ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ

(Did they witness their creation) meaning, did they see Allah creating them as females

﴿ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ

(Their testimony will be recorded,) means, concerning that,

﴿ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ

(and they will be questioned!) means, about that, on the Day of Resurrection. This is a stern warning and a serious threat.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ

(And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious, we should not have worshipped them.'') means, (they said:) `if Allah had willed, He would have prevented us from worshipping these idols which are images of the angels who are the daughters of Allah; He knows about this and He approves of it.' By saying this, they combined several types of error: First: They attributed offspring to Allah -- exalted and sanctified be He far above that. Second: They claimed that He chose daughters rather than sons, and they made the angels, who are the servants of the Most Gracious, female. Third: They worshipped them with no proof, evidence or permission from Allah. This was based on mere opinion, whims and desires, imitation of their elders and forefathers, and pure ignorance. They used Allah's decree as an excuse, and this reasoning betrayed their ignorance. Fourth: Allah denounced them for this in the strongest terms, for from the time He first sent Messengers and revealed Books, the command was to worship Him Alone with no partner or associate, and it was forbidden to worship anything other than Him. Allah says:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةُ‌ۚ فَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid all false deities.'' Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied.) (16:36)

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45) And Allah says in this Ayah, after mentioning this argument of theirs:

﴿ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ

(They have no knowledge whatsoever of that.) meaning, of the truth of what they say and the arguments they put forward.

﴿ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(They do nothing but lie!) means, they tell lies and fabricate untruths.

﴿ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(They have no knowledge whatsoever of that. They do nothing but lie!) Mujahid said, "They do not appreciate the power of Allah.''

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ قَـٰلَ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(21. Or have We given them any Book before this (the Qur'an) to which they are holding fast) (22. Nay! They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') (23. And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') (24. He said: "Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') (25. So We took revenge on them, then see what was the end of those who denied.)

25
فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ
So we took retribution from them; then see how was the end of the deniers.
فَٱنتَقَمۡنَاSo We took retribution
مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖfrom them.
فَٱنظُرۡThen see
كَيۡفَhow
كَانَwas
عَـٰقِبَةُ(the) end
ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ(of) the deniers.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Condemnation of the Idolators' attribution of Offspring to Allah

Here Allah speaks of the lies and fabrications of the idolaters, when they devoted some of their cattle to their false gods and some to Allah, as He described in Surat Al-An`am where He said:

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ مِمَّا ذَرَأَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَرۡثِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ نَصِيبً۬ا فَقَالُواْ هَـٰذَا لِلَّهِ بِزَعۡمِهِمۡ وَهَـٰذَا لِشُرَكَآٮِٕنَا‌ۖ فَمَا ڪَانَ لِشُرَڪَآٮِٕهِمۡ فَلَا يَصِلُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَمَا ڪَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ يَصِلُ إِلَىٰ شُرَڪَآٮِٕهِمۡ‌ۗ سَآءَ مَا يَحۡڪُمُونَ

(And they assign to Allah share of the tilth and cattle which He has created, and they say: "This is for Allah'' according to their claim, "and this is for our partners.'' But the share of their partners reaches not Allah, while the share of Allah reaches their partners! Evil is the way they judge!) (6:136). Similarly, out of the two kinds of offspring, sons and daughters, they assigned to Him the worst and least valuable (in their eyes), i.e., daughters, as Allah says:

﴿ أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلۡأُنثَىٰ تِلۡكَ إِذً۬ا قِسۡمَةٌ۬ ضِيزَىٰٓ

(Is it for you the males and for Him the females That indeed is a division most unfair!) (53:21-22) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ

(Yet, they assign to some of His servants a share with Him. Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!) Then He says:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٍ۬ وَأَصۡفَٮٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ

(Or has He taken daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for you sons) This is a denunciation of them in the strongest terms, as He goes on to say:

﴿ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مَثَلاً۬ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ

(And if one of them is informed of the news of that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!) means, if one of these people is given the news that there has been born to him one of those which he attributes to Allah, i.e., a daughter, he hates this news and it depresses and overwhelms him so much that he keeps away from people because he feels so ashamed. Allah says, so how can they dislike that so much and yet they attribute it to Allah

﴿ أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِى ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٍ۬

(A creature who is brought up in adornments, and who in dispute cannot make itself clear) means, women are regarded as lacking something, which they make up for with jewelry and adornments from the time of childhood onwards, and when there is a dispute, they cannot speak up and defend themselves clearly, so how can this be attributed to Allah

﴿ وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا‌ۚ

(And they make females the angels who themselves are servants of the Most Gracious.) means, that is what they believe about them, but Allah denounces them for that and says:

﴿ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡ‌ۚ

(Did they witness their creation) meaning, did they see Allah creating them as females

﴿ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُہُمۡ

(Their testimony will be recorded,) means, concerning that,

﴿ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَ

(and they will be questioned!) means, about that, on the Day of Resurrection. This is a stern warning and a serious threat.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُم‌ۗ

(And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious, we should not have worshipped them.'') means, (they said:) `if Allah had willed, He would have prevented us from worshipping these idols which are images of the angels who are the daughters of Allah; He knows about this and He approves of it.' By saying this, they combined several types of error: First: They attributed offspring to Allah -- exalted and sanctified be He far above that. Second: They claimed that He chose daughters rather than sons, and they made the angels, who are the servants of the Most Gracious, female. Third: They worshipped them with no proof, evidence or permission from Allah. This was based on mere opinion, whims and desires, imitation of their elders and forefathers, and pure ignorance. They used Allah's decree as an excuse, and this reasoning betrayed their ignorance. Fourth: Allah denounced them for this in the strongest terms, for from the time He first sent Messengers and revealed Books, the command was to worship Him Alone with no partner or associate, and it was forbidden to worship anything other than Him. Allah says:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةُ‌ۚ فَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid all false deities.'' Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied.) (16:36)

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45) And Allah says in this Ayah, after mentioning this argument of theirs:

﴿ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ

(They have no knowledge whatsoever of that.) meaning, of the truth of what they say and the arguments they put forward.

﴿ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(They do nothing but lie!) means, they tell lies and fabricate untruths.

﴿ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

(They have no knowledge whatsoever of that. They do nothing but lie!) Mujahid said, "They do not appreciate the power of Allah.''

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ قَـٰلَ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(21. Or have We given them any Book before this (the Qur'an) to which they are holding fast) (22. Nay! They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') (23. And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') (24. He said: "Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') (25. So We took revenge on them, then see what was the end of those who denied.)

26
وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham said to his father and his people, "Indeed, I am disassociated from that which you worship
وَإِذۡAnd when
قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُIbrahim said
لِأَبِيهِto his father
وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤand his people,
إِنَّنِى`Indeed, I (am)
بَرَآءٌ۬disassociated
مِّمَّاfrom what
تَعۡبُدُونَyou worship
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators have no Proof

Allah condemns the idolaters for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so.

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ

(Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry.

﴿ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ

(to which they are holding fast) means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ

(Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him) (30:35) meaning, that did not happen. Then Allah says:

﴿ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion) (23:52), and they said;

﴿ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم

(and we by their footsteps) means, behind them

﴿ مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(We guide ourselves) This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُواْ سَاحِرٌ أَوۡ مَجۡنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ طَاغُونَ

(Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!) (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

(And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') Then He says:

﴿ قُلۡ

(Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolaters --'

﴿ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

("Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') `Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

﴿ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ

(So We took revenge on them) means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allah has described in the stories of those nations.

﴿ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(then see what was the end of those who denied) means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allah saved the believers.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(26. And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,'') (27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me.'') (28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.) (29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.) (30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein.'') (31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns'') (32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.) (33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,) (34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,) (35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwa.)

27
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ
Except for He who created me; and indeed, He will guide me."
إِلَّاExcept
ٱلَّذِىthe One Who
فَطَرَنِىcreated me;
فَإِنَّهُ ۥand indeed, He
سَيَہۡدِينِwill guide me.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators have no Proof

Allah condemns the idolaters for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so.

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ

(Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry.

﴿ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ

(to which they are holding fast) means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ

(Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him) (30:35) meaning, that did not happen. Then Allah says:

﴿ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion) (23:52), and they said;

﴿ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم

(and we by their footsteps) means, behind them

﴿ مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(We guide ourselves) This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُواْ سَاحِرٌ أَوۡ مَجۡنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ طَاغُونَ

(Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!) (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

(And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') Then He says:

﴿ قُلۡ

(Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolaters --'

﴿ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

("Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') `Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

﴿ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ

(So We took revenge on them) means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allah has described in the stories of those nations.

﴿ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(then see what was the end of those who denied) means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allah saved the believers.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(26. And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,'') (27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me.'') (28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.) (29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.) (30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein.'') (31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns'') (32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.) (33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,) (34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,) (35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwa.)

28
وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ
And he made it a word remaining among his descendants that they might return [to it].
وَجَعَلَهَاAnd he made it
كَلِمَةَۢa word
بَاقِيَةً۬lasting
فِىamong
عَقِبِهِۦhis descendents,
لَعَلَّهُمۡso that they may
يَرۡجِعُونَreturn.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators have no Proof

Allah condemns the idolaters for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so.

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ

(Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry.

﴿ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ

(to which they are holding fast) means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ

(Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him) (30:35) meaning, that did not happen. Then Allah says:

﴿ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion) (23:52), and they said;

﴿ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم

(and we by their footsteps) means, behind them

﴿ مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(We guide ourselves) This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُواْ سَاحِرٌ أَوۡ مَجۡنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ طَاغُونَ

(Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!) (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

(And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') Then He says:

﴿ قُلۡ

(Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolaters --'

﴿ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

("Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') `Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

﴿ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ

(So We took revenge on them) means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allah has described in the stories of those nations.

﴿ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(then see what was the end of those who denied) means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allah saved the believers.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(26. And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,'') (27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me.'') (28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.) (29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.) (30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein.'') (31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns'') (32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.) (33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,) (34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,) (35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwa.)

29
بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬
However, I gave enjoyment to these [people of Makkah] and their fathers until there came to them the truth and a clear Messenger.
بَلۡNay,
مَتَّعۡتُI gave enjoyment
هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ(to) these
وَءَابَآءَهُمۡand their forefathers
حَتَّىٰuntil
جَآءَهُمُcame to them
ٱلۡحَقُّthe truth
وَرَسُولٌ۬and a Messenger
مُّبِينٌ۬clear.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators have no Proof

Allah condemns the idolaters for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so.

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ

(Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry.

﴿ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ

(to which they are holding fast) means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ

(Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him) (30:35) meaning, that did not happen. Then Allah says:

﴿ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion) (23:52), and they said;

﴿ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم

(and we by their footsteps) means, behind them

﴿ مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(We guide ourselves) This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُواْ سَاحِرٌ أَوۡ مَجۡنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ طَاغُونَ

(Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!) (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

(And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') Then He says:

﴿ قُلۡ

(Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolaters --'

﴿ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

("Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') `Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

﴿ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ

(So We took revenge on them) means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allah has described in the stories of those nations.

﴿ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(then see what was the end of those who denied) means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allah saved the believers.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(26. And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,'') (27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me.'') (28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.) (29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.) (30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein.'') (31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns'') (32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.) (33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,) (34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,) (35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwa.)

30
وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ
But when the truth came to them, they said, "This is magic, and indeed we are, concerning it, disbelievers."
وَلَمَّاAnd when
جَآءَهُمُcame to them
ٱلۡحَقُّthe truth,
قَالُواْthey said,
هَـٰذَا`This
سِحۡرٌ۬(is) magic,
وَإِنَّاand indeed, we
بِهِۦof it
كَـٰفِرُونَ(are) disbelievers.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators have no Proof

Allah condemns the idolaters for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so.

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ

(Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry.

﴿ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ

(to which they are holding fast) means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ

(Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him) (30:35) meaning, that did not happen. Then Allah says:

﴿ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion) (23:52), and they said;

﴿ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم

(and we by their footsteps) means, behind them

﴿ مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(We guide ourselves) This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُواْ سَاحِرٌ أَوۡ مَجۡنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ طَاغُونَ

(Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!) (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

(And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') Then He says:

﴿ قُلۡ

(Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolaters --'

﴿ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

("Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') `Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

﴿ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ

(So We took revenge on them) means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allah has described in the stories of those nations.

﴿ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(then see what was the end of those who denied) means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allah saved the believers.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(26. And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,'') (27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me.'') (28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.) (29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.) (30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein.'') (31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns'') (32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.) (33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,) (34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,) (35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwa.)

31
وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ
And they said, "Why was this Qur’an not sent down upon a great man from [one of] the two cities?"
وَقَالُواْAnd they say,
لَوۡلَا`Why not
نُزِّلَwas sent down
هَـٰذَاthis
ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُthe Quran
عَلَىٰto
رَجُلٍ۬a man,
مِّنَfrom
ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِthe two towns,
عَظِيمٍgreat?`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators have no Proof

Allah condemns the idolaters for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so.

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ

(Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry.

﴿ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ

(to which they are holding fast) means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ

(Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him) (30:35) meaning, that did not happen. Then Allah says:

﴿ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion) (23:52), and they said;

﴿ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم

(and we by their footsteps) means, behind them

﴿ مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(We guide ourselves) This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُواْ سَاحِرٌ أَوۡ مَجۡنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ طَاغُونَ

(Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!) (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

(And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') Then He says:

﴿ قُلۡ

(Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolaters --'

﴿ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

("Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') `Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

﴿ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ

(So We took revenge on them) means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allah has described in the stories of those nations.

﴿ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(then see what was the end of those who denied) means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allah saved the believers.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(26. And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,'') (27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me.'') (28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.) (29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.) (30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein.'') (31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns'') (32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.) (33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,) (34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,) (35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwa.)

32
أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ
Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate.
أَهُمۡDo they
يَقۡسِمُونَdistribute
رَحۡمَتَ(the) Mercy
رَبِّكَ‌ۚ(of) your Lord?
نَحۡنُWe
قَسَمۡنَا[We] distribute
بَيۡنَہُمamong them
مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡtheir livelihood
فِىin
ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِthe life
ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ(of) the world,
وَرَفَعۡنَاand We raise
بَعۡضَہُمۡsome of them
فَوۡقَabove
بَعۡضٍ۬others
دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬(in) degrees
لِّيَتَّخِذَso that may take,
بَعۡضُہُمsome of them,
بَعۡضً۬اothers,
سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ(for) service.
وَرَحۡمَتُBut (the) Mercy
رَبِّكَ(of) your Lord
خَيۡرٌ۬(is) better
مِّمَّاthan what
يَجۡمَعُونَthey accumulate.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators have no Proof

Allah condemns the idolaters for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so.

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ

(Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry.

﴿ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ

(to which they are holding fast) means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ

(Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him) (30:35) meaning, that did not happen. Then Allah says:

﴿ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion) (23:52), and they said;

﴿ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم

(and we by their footsteps) means, behind them

﴿ مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(We guide ourselves) This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُواْ سَاحِرٌ أَوۡ مَجۡنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ طَاغُونَ

(Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!) (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

(And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') Then He says:

﴿ قُلۡ

(Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolaters --'

﴿ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

("Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') `Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

﴿ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ

(So We took revenge on them) means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allah has described in the stories of those nations.

﴿ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(then see what was the end of those who denied) means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allah saved the believers.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(26. And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,'') (27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me.'') (28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.) (29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.) (30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein.'') (31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns'') (32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.) (33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,) (34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,) (35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwa.)

33
وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ
And if it were not that the people would become one community [of disbelievers], We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful – for their houses – ceilings and stairways of silver upon which to mount
وَلَوۡلَآAnd if not
أَنthat
يَكُونَ(would) become
ٱلنَّاسُ[the] mankind
أُمَّةً۬a community
وَٲحِدَةً۬one,
لَّجَعَلۡنَاWe (would have) made
لِمَنfor (one) who
يَكۡفُرُdisbelieves
بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِin the Most Gracious
لِبُيُوتِہِمۡfor their houses
سُقُفً۬اroofs
مِّنof
فِضَّةٍ۬silver
وَمَعَارِجَand stairways
عَلَيۡہَاupon which
يَظۡهَرُونَthey mount
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators have no Proof

Allah condemns the idolaters for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so.

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ

(Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry.

﴿ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ

(to which they are holding fast) means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ

(Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him) (30:35) meaning, that did not happen. Then Allah says:

﴿ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion) (23:52), and they said;

﴿ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم

(and we by their footsteps) means, behind them

﴿ مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(We guide ourselves) This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُواْ سَاحِرٌ أَوۡ مَجۡنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ طَاغُونَ

(Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!) (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

(And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') Then He says:

﴿ قُلۡ

(Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolaters --'

﴿ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

("Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') `Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

﴿ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ

(So We took revenge on them) means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allah has described in the stories of those nations.

﴿ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(then see what was the end of those who denied) means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allah saved the believers.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(26. And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,'') (27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me.'') (28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.) (29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.) (30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein.'') (31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns'') (32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.) (33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,) (34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,) (35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwa.)

34
وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ
And for their houses – doors and couches [of silver] upon which to recline
وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡAnd for their houses
أَبۡوَٲبً۬اdoors
وَسُرُرًاand couches
عَلَيۡہَاupon which
يَتَّكِـُٔونَthey recline
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators have no Proof

Allah condemns the idolaters for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so.

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ

(Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry.

﴿ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ

(to which they are holding fast) means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ

(Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him) (30:35) meaning, that did not happen. Then Allah says:

﴿ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion) (23:52), and they said;

﴿ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم

(and we by their footsteps) means, behind them

﴿ مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(We guide ourselves) This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُواْ سَاحِرٌ أَوۡ مَجۡنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ طَاغُونَ

(Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!) (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

(And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') Then He says:

﴿ قُلۡ

(Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolaters --'

﴿ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

("Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') `Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

﴿ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ

(So We took revenge on them) means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allah has described in the stories of those nations.

﴿ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(then see what was the end of those who denied) means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allah saved the believers.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(26. And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,'') (27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me.'') (28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.) (29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.) (30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein.'') (31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns'') (32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.) (33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,) (34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,) (35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwa.)

35
وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ
And gold ornament. But all that is not but the enjoyment of worldly life. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for the righteous.
وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚAnd ornaments of gold.
وَإِنAnd not (is)
ڪُلُّall
ذَٲلِكَthat
لَمَّاbut
مَتَـٰعُan enjoyment
ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ(of) the life
ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ(of) the world.
وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُAnd the Hereafter
عِندَwith
رَبِّكَyour Lord
لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ(is) for the righteous.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators have no Proof

Allah condemns the idolaters for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so.

﴿ أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ

(Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry.

﴿ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَ

(to which they are holding fast) means, with regard to what they are doing. This is not the case. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ

(Or have We revealed to them an authority (a Scripture), which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him) (30:35) meaning, that did not happen. Then Allah says:

﴿ بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'') meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion) (23:52), and they said;

﴿ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم

(and we by their footsteps) means, behind them

﴿ مُّهۡتَدُونَ

(We guide ourselves) This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُواْ سَاحِرٌ أَوۡ مَجۡنُونٌ أَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ طَاغُونَ

(Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!) (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

(And similarly, We sent not a warner before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.'') Then He says:

﴿ قُلۡ

(Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolaters --'

﴿ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

("Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following'' They said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.'') `Even if they were convinced of the truth of what you have brought to them, they will not follow it, because of their evil intentions and their arrogance towards the truth and its people.'

﴿ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ

(So We took revenge on them) means, on the disbelieving nations, by inflicting various kinds of punishments, as Allah has described in the stories of those nations.

﴿ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

(then see what was the end of those who denied) means, see what became of them, how they were destroyed and how Allah saved the believers.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌ۬ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(26. And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,'') (27. "Except Him Who created me; and verily, He will guide me.'') (28. And he made it a word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back.) (29. Nay, but I gave to these and their fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth, and a Messenger making things clear.) (30. And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve therein.'') (31. And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns'') (32. Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass.) (33. And were it not that mankind would have become of one community, We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators whereby they ascend,) (34. And for their houses, doors, and thrones on which they could recline,) (35. And adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for those who have Taqwa.)

36
وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬
And whoever is blinded from remembrance of the Most Merciful – We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion.
وَمَنAnd whoever
يَعۡشُturns away
عَنfrom
ذِكۡرِ(the) remembrance
ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ(of) the Most Gracious,
نُقَيِّضۡWe appoint
لَهُ ۥfor him
شَيۡطَـٰنً۬اa devil,
فَهُوَthen he
لَهُ ۥ(is) to him
قَرِينٌ۬a companion.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

﴿ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,) means, `were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others.

﴿ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ

(We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators) means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.

﴿ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ

(whereby they ascend,) means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

﴿ وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

(and thrones on which they could recline,) means, all of that would be made of silver.

﴿ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ

(And adornments) means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.

﴿ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ

(Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.) means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allah. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allah for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Sahih Hadith. It was reported in another Hadith:

« لَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاء »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.) Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.

﴿ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwa.) means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited the Messenger of Allah in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allah, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allah's creation. '' The Messenger of Allah was reclining, but he sat up and said:

« أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ »

(Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khattab) Then he said:

« أُولئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَـيِّـبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا »

(Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.) According to another report:

« أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَــكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْاخِرَة »

(Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us) In as the Two Sahihs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

« لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْاخِرَة »

(Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.) Allah has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah via Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa`d, who said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.)'' At-Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Sahih.''

﴿ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.) (37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!) (38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!'') (39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.) (40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error) (41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.) (42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.) (43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) (44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) (45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'')

37
وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ
And indeed, the devils avert them from the way [of guidance] while they think that they are [rightly] guided
وَإِنَّہُمۡAnd indeed, they
لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡsurely, turn them away
عَنِfrom
ٱلسَّبِيلِthe Path
وَيَحۡسَبُونَand they think
أَنَّہُمthat they
مُّهۡتَدُونَ(are) guided.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

﴿ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,) means, `were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others.

﴿ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ

(We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators) means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.

﴿ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ

(whereby they ascend,) means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

﴿ وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

(and thrones on which they could recline,) means, all of that would be made of silver.

﴿ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ

(And adornments) means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.

﴿ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ

(Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.) means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allah. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allah for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Sahih Hadith. It was reported in another Hadith:

« لَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاء »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.) Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.

﴿ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwa.) means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited the Messenger of Allah in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allah, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allah's creation. '' The Messenger of Allah was reclining, but he sat up and said:

« أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ »

(Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khattab) Then he said:

« أُولئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَـيِّـبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا »

(Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.) According to another report:

« أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَــكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْاخِرَة »

(Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us) In as the Two Sahihs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

« لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْاخِرَة »

(Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.) Allah has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah via Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa`d, who said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.)'' At-Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Sahih.''

﴿ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.) (37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!) (38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!'') (39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.) (40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error) (41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.) (42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.) (43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) (44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) (45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'')

38
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ
Until, when he comes to Us [at Judgment], he says [to his companion], "Oh, I wish there was between me and you the distance between the east and west – how wretched a companion."
حَتَّىٰٓUntil
إِذَاwhen
جَآءَنَاhe comes to Us
قَالَhe says,
يَـٰلَيۡتَ`O would that
بَيۡنِىbetween me
وَبَيۡنَكَand between you
بُعۡدَ(were the) distance
ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ(of) the East and the West.`
فَبِئۡسَHow wretched is
ٱلۡقَرِينُthe companion!
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

﴿ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,) means, `were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others.

﴿ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ

(We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators) means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.

﴿ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ

(whereby they ascend,) means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

﴿ وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

(and thrones on which they could recline,) means, all of that would be made of silver.

﴿ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ

(And adornments) means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.

﴿ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ

(Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.) means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allah. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allah for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Sahih Hadith. It was reported in another Hadith:

« لَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاء »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.) Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.

﴿ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwa.) means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited the Messenger of Allah in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allah, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allah's creation. '' The Messenger of Allah was reclining, but he sat up and said:

« أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ »

(Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khattab) Then he said:

« أُولئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَـيِّـبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا »

(Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.) According to another report:

« أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَــكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْاخِرَة »

(Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us) In as the Two Sahihs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

« لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْاخِرَة »

(Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.) Allah has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah via Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa`d, who said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.)'' At-Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Sahih.''

﴿ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.) (37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!) (38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!'') (39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.) (40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error) (41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.) (42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.) (43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) (44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) (45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'')

39
وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ
And never will it benefit you that Day, when you have wronged, that you are [all] sharing in the punishment.
وَلَنAnd will never
يَنفَعَڪُمُbenefit you
ٱلۡيَوۡمَthe Day,
إِذwhen
ظَّلَمۡتُمۡyou have wronged,
أَنَّكُمۡthat you
فِى(will be) in
ٱلۡعَذَابِthe punishment
مُشۡتَرِكُونَsharing.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

﴿ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,) means, `were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others.

﴿ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ

(We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators) means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.

﴿ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ

(whereby they ascend,) means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

﴿ وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

(and thrones on which they could recline,) means, all of that would be made of silver.

﴿ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ

(And adornments) means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.

﴿ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ

(Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.) means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allah. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allah for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Sahih Hadith. It was reported in another Hadith:

« لَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاء »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.) Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.

﴿ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwa.) means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited the Messenger of Allah in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allah, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allah's creation. '' The Messenger of Allah was reclining, but he sat up and said:

« أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ »

(Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khattab) Then he said:

« أُولئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَـيِّـبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا »

(Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.) According to another report:

« أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَــكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْاخِرَة »

(Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us) In as the Two Sahihs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

« لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْاخِرَة »

(Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.) Allah has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah via Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa`d, who said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.)'' At-Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Sahih.''

﴿ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.) (37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!) (38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!'') (39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.) (40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error) (41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.) (42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.) (43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) (44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) (45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'')

40
أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬
Then will you make the deaf hear, [O Muhammad], or guide the blind or he who is in clear error?
أَفَأَنتَThen can you
تُسۡمِعُcause to hear
ٱلصُّمَّthe deaf
أَوۡor
تَہۡدِىguide
ٱلۡعُمۡىَthe blind
وَمَنand (one) who
كَانَis
فِىin
ضَلَـٰلٍ۬an error
مُّبِينٍ۬clear?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

﴿ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,) means, `were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others.

﴿ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ

(We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators) means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.

﴿ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ

(whereby they ascend,) means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

﴿ وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

(and thrones on which they could recline,) means, all of that would be made of silver.

﴿ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ

(And adornments) means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.

﴿ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ

(Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.) means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allah. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allah for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Sahih Hadith. It was reported in another Hadith:

« لَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاء »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.) Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.

﴿ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwa.) means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited the Messenger of Allah in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allah, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allah's creation. '' The Messenger of Allah was reclining, but he sat up and said:

« أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ »

(Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khattab) Then he said:

« أُولئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَـيِّـبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا »

(Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.) According to another report:

« أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَــكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْاخِرَة »

(Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us) In as the Two Sahihs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

« لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْاخِرَة »

(Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.) Allah has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah via Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa`d, who said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.)'' At-Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Sahih.''

﴿ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.) (37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!) (38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!'') (39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.) (40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error) (41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.) (42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.) (43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) (44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) (45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'')

41
فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ
And whether [or not] We take you away [in death], indeed, We will take retribution upon them.
فَإِمَّاAnd whether
نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَWe take you away,
فَإِنَّاthen indeed, We,
مِنۡہُمfrom them
مُّنتَقِمُونَ(will) take retribution.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

﴿ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,) means, `were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others.

﴿ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ

(We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators) means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.

﴿ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ

(whereby they ascend,) means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

﴿ وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

(and thrones on which they could recline,) means, all of that would be made of silver.

﴿ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ

(And adornments) means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.

﴿ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ

(Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.) means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allah. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allah for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Sahih Hadith. It was reported in another Hadith:

« لَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاء »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.) Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.

﴿ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwa.) means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited the Messenger of Allah in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allah, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allah's creation. '' The Messenger of Allah was reclining, but he sat up and said:

« أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ »

(Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khattab) Then he said:

« أُولئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَـيِّـبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا »

(Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.) According to another report:

« أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَــكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْاخِرَة »

(Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us) In as the Two Sahihs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

« لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْاخِرَة »

(Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.) Allah has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah via Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa`d, who said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.)'' At-Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Sahih.''

﴿ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.) (37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!) (38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!'') (39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.) (40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error) (41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.) (42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.) (43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) (44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) (45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'')

42
أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ
Or whether [or not] We show you that which We have promised them, indeed, We are Perfect in Ability.
أَوۡOr
نُرِيَنَّكَWe show you
ٱلَّذِىthat which
وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡWe have promised them,
فَإِنَّاthen indeed, We
عَلَيۡہِمover them
مُّقۡتَدِرُونَhave full power.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

﴿ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,) means, `were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others.

﴿ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ

(We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators) means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.

﴿ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ

(whereby they ascend,) means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

﴿ وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

(and thrones on which they could recline,) means, all of that would be made of silver.

﴿ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ

(And adornments) means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.

﴿ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ

(Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.) means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allah. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allah for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Sahih Hadith. It was reported in another Hadith:

« لَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاء »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.) Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.

﴿ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwa.) means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited the Messenger of Allah in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allah, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allah's creation. '' The Messenger of Allah was reclining, but he sat up and said:

« أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ »

(Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khattab) Then he said:

« أُولئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَـيِّـبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا »

(Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.) According to another report:

« أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَــكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْاخِرَة »

(Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us) In as the Two Sahihs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

« لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْاخِرَة »

(Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.) Allah has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah via Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa`d, who said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.)'' At-Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Sahih.''

﴿ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.) (37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!) (38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!'') (39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.) (40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error) (41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.) (42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.) (43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) (44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) (45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'')

43
فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬
So adhere to that which is revealed to you. Indeed, you are on a straight path.
فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡSo hold fast
بِٱلَّذِىٓto that which
أُوحِىَis revealed
إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖto you.
إِنَّكَIndeed, you
عَلَىٰ(are) on
صِرَٲطٍ۬a Path
مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬Straight.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

﴿ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,) means, `were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others.

﴿ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ

(We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators) means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.

﴿ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ

(whereby they ascend,) means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

﴿ وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

(and thrones on which they could recline,) means, all of that would be made of silver.

﴿ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ

(And adornments) means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.

﴿ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ

(Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.) means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allah. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allah for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Sahih Hadith. It was reported in another Hadith:

« لَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاء »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.) Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.

﴿ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwa.) means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited the Messenger of Allah in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allah, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allah's creation. '' The Messenger of Allah was reclining, but he sat up and said:

« أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ »

(Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khattab) Then he said:

« أُولئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَـيِّـبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا »

(Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.) According to another report:

« أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَــكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْاخِرَة »

(Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us) In as the Two Sahihs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

« لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْاخِرَة »

(Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.) Allah has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah via Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa`d, who said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.)'' At-Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Sahih.''

﴿ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.) (37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!) (38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!'') (39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.) (40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error) (41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.) (42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.) (43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) (44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) (45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'')

44
وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ
And indeed, it is a remembrance for you and your people, and you [all] are going to be questioned.
وَإِنَّهُ ۥAnd indeed, it
لَذِكۡرٌ۬(is) surely, a Reminder
لَّكَfor you
وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖand your people,
وَسَوۡفَand soon
تُسۡـَٔلُونَyou will be questioned.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

﴿ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,) means, `were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others.

﴿ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ

(We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators) means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.

﴿ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ

(whereby they ascend,) means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

﴿ وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

(and thrones on which they could recline,) means, all of that would be made of silver.

﴿ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ

(And adornments) means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.

﴿ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ

(Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.) means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allah. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allah for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Sahih Hadith. It was reported in another Hadith:

« لَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاء »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.) Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.

﴿ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwa.) means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited the Messenger of Allah in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allah, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allah's creation. '' The Messenger of Allah was reclining, but he sat up and said:

« أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ »

(Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khattab) Then he said:

« أُولئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَـيِّـبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا »

(Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.) According to another report:

« أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَــكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْاخِرَة »

(Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us) In as the Two Sahihs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

« لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْاخِرَة »

(Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.) Allah has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah via Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa`d, who said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.)'' At-Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Sahih.''

﴿ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.) (37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!) (38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!'') (39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.) (40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error) (41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.) (42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.) (43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) (44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) (45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'')

45
وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ
And ask those We sent before you of Our messengers; have We made besides the Most Merciful deities to be worshipped?
وَسۡـَٔلۡAnd ask
مَنۡ(those) whom
أَرۡسَلۡنَاWe sent
مِن قَبۡلِكَbefore you
مِنof
رُّسُلِنَآOur Messengers;
أَجَعَلۡنَاdid We make
مِن دُونِbesides
ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِthe Most Gracious
ءَالِهَةً۬gods
يُعۡبَدُونَto be worshipped?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Wealth is not a Sign of Divine Pleasure

﴿ وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬

(And were it not that mankind would have become of one community,) means, `were it not for the fact that many ignorant people would think that Our giving them wealth was a sign that We love the person to whom We give it, and thus they would have agreed upon disbelief for the sake of wealth.' This is the view of Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others.

﴿ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ

(We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses, and elevators) means, ladders and staircases of silver. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others.

﴿ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ

(whereby they ascend,) means, go up. And their houses would have doors, i.e., locks on their doors,

﴿ وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ

(and thrones on which they could recline,) means, all of that would be made of silver.

﴿ وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ

(And adornments) means, and gold. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd.

﴿ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ

(Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world.) means, all that belongs to this transient world which is insignificant before Allah. He hastens their reward for good deeds in the form of luxuries in this world, so that when they reach the Hereafter, they will have no good merits with Allah for which they may be rewarded, as was reported in the Sahih Hadith. It was reported in another Hadith:

« لَوْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاء »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would not give a disbeliever a drink of water.) Al-Baghawi narrated its chain of narration.

﴿ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

(And the Hereafter with your Lord is (only) for those who have Taqwa.) means, it is exclusively for them, and no one else will share it with them. When `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited the Messenger of Allah in seclusion, when he was keeping away from his wives, and he saw him resting on a rough mat which had left marks on his side, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "O Messenger of Allah, look at this Chosroes and this Caesar with all that they have, and you are the best of Allah's creation. '' The Messenger of Allah was reclining, but he sat up and said:

« أَوَ فِي شَكَ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ »

(Are you in doubt, O son of Al-Khattab) Then he said:

« أُولئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَـيِّـبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا »

(Those are people for whom the enjoyments are hastened in this world.) According to another report:

« أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَــكُونَ لَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا الْاخِرَة »

(Does it not please you that this world is for them and the Hereafter is for us) In as the Two Sahihs and elsewhere, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

« لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَنَا فِي الْاخِرَة »

(Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, and do not eat from plates of the same, for these things are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.) Allah has granted these things to them in this world because it is insignificant, as was reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah via Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa`d, who said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« لَوْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا تَزِنُ عِنْدَ اللهِ جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ مَا سَقَى مِنْهَا كَافِرًا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَبَدًا »

(If this world were worth a gnat's wing before Allah, He would never give a disbeliever a drink of water.)'' At-Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Sahih.''

﴿ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَہُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَـٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُ وَلَن يَنفَعَڪُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَہۡدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡہُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِى وَعَدۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡہِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(36. And whosoever Ya`shu (turns away blindly) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him Shaytan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him.) (37. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!) (38. Till, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says, "Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts (or the east and west) a worst companion (indeed)!'') (39. It will profit you not this Day as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers in the punishment.) (40. Can you make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error) (41. And even if We take you away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.) (42. Or (if) We show you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect command over them.) (43. So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) (44. And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) (45. And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'')

46
وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ
And certainly did We send Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his establishment, and he said, "Indeed, I am the messenger of the Lord of the worlds."
وَلَقَدۡAnd certainly
أَرۡسَلۡنَاWe sent
مُوسَىٰMusa
بِـَٔـايَـٰتِنَآwith Our Signs
إِلَىٰto
فِرۡعَوۡنَFiraun
وَمَلَإِيْهِۦand his chiefs,
فَقَالَand he said,
إِنِّى`Indeed, I am
رَسُولُa Messenger
رَبِّ(of the) Lord
ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ(of) the worlds.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Encouragement to adhere to the Qur'an

Allah then says;

﴿ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

(So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) means, hold fast to the Qur'an which has been sent down to your heart, for it is truth and what it leads to is truth that shows the way to the straight path that leads to Gardens of Delight and eternal, everlasting goodness.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ

(And verily, this is a Dhikr for you and your people,) It was said that this means, `it is an honor for you and your people;' this was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd. This means that it is an honor for them in that it was revealed in their language, so they are the people who have the best understanding of it among mankind and hence are obliged to be the most steadfast in adhering to its commandments. This is how the best of them were, the first immigrants and those who emulated them and followed them. It was also said that the meaning of the phrase;

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ

(And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people,) was that `it was sent to remind you and your people.' The fact that they are singled out does not exclude others. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ لَقَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا فِيهِ ذِكۡرُكُمۡ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ

(Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book in which there is Dhikrukum (your Reminder). Will you not then understand) (21:10)

﴿ وَأَنذِرۡ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ

(And warn your tribe of near kindred) (26:214)

﴿ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ

(and you will be questioned.) means, `about this Qur'an, and how you acted upon it and what your response to it was.'

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') means, `all the Messengers called their people to the same as that to which you are calling mankind, namely the worship of Allah Alone with no partner or associate, and they forbade the worship of idols and false gods.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid all false deities.'') (16:36) Mujahid said that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud recited it: (وَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ قَبْلَكَ (مِنْ) رُسُلِنَا) (And ask those whom We sent before you of Our Messengers.) This was narrated by Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi from Ibn Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him. Yet this appears to be an explanation rather than an alternate version of recitation. And Allah knows best.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنۡہَا يَضۡحَكُونَ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ وَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهۡتَدُونَ فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(46. And indeed We did send Musa with Our Ayat to Fir`awn and his chiefs. He said: "Verily, I am a Messenger of the Lord of all that exists.'') (47. But when he came to them with Our Ayat, behold, they laughed at them). (48. And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it, and We seized them with torment, in order that they might turn.) (49. And they said (to Musa): "O you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has made a pact with you. Verily, We shall guide ourselves.'') (50. But when We removed the torment from them, behold, they broke their covenant.)

47
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنۡہَا يَضۡحَكُونَ
But when he brought them Our signs, at once they laughed at them.
فَلَمَّاBut when
جَآءَهُمhe came to them
بِـَٔـايَـٰتِنَآwith Our Signs,
إِذَاbehold!
هُمThey
مِّنۡہَاat them
يَضۡحَكُونَlaughed.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Encouragement to adhere to the Qur'an

Allah then says;

﴿ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

(So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) means, hold fast to the Qur'an which has been sent down to your heart, for it is truth and what it leads to is truth that shows the way to the straight path that leads to Gardens of Delight and eternal, everlasting goodness.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ

(And verily, this is a Dhikr for you and your people,) It was said that this means, `it is an honor for you and your people;' this was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd. This means that it is an honor for them in that it was revealed in their language, so they are the people who have the best understanding of it among mankind and hence are obliged to be the most steadfast in adhering to its commandments. This is how the best of them were, the first immigrants and those who emulated them and followed them. It was also said that the meaning of the phrase;

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ

(And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people,) was that `it was sent to remind you and your people.' The fact that they are singled out does not exclude others. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ لَقَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا فِيهِ ذِكۡرُكُمۡ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ

(Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book in which there is Dhikrukum (your Reminder). Will you not then understand) (21:10)

﴿ وَأَنذِرۡ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ

(And warn your tribe of near kindred) (26:214)

﴿ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ

(and you will be questioned.) means, `about this Qur'an, and how you acted upon it and what your response to it was.'

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') means, `all the Messengers called their people to the same as that to which you are calling mankind, namely the worship of Allah Alone with no partner or associate, and they forbade the worship of idols and false gods.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid all false deities.'') (16:36) Mujahid said that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud recited it: (وَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ قَبْلَكَ (مِنْ) رُسُلِنَا) (And ask those whom We sent before you of Our Messengers.) This was narrated by Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi from Ibn Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him. Yet this appears to be an explanation rather than an alternate version of recitation. And Allah knows best.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنۡہَا يَضۡحَكُونَ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ وَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهۡتَدُونَ فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(46. And indeed We did send Musa with Our Ayat to Fir`awn and his chiefs. He said: "Verily, I am a Messenger of the Lord of all that exists.'') (47. But when he came to them with Our Ayat, behold, they laughed at them). (48. And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it, and We seized them with torment, in order that they might turn.) (49. And they said (to Musa): "O you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has made a pact with you. Verily, We shall guide ourselves.'') (50. But when We removed the torment from them, behold, they broke their covenant.)

48
وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ وَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ
And We showed them not a sign except that it was greater than its sister, and We seized them with affliction that perhaps they might return [to faith].
وَمَاAnd not
نُرِيهِمWe showed them
مِّنۡof
ءَايَةٍa Sign
إِلَّاbut
هِىَit
أَڪۡبَرُ(was) greater
مِنۡthan
أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖits sister,
وَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُمand We seized them
بِٱلۡعَذَابِwith the punishment
لَعَلَّهُمۡso that they may
يَرۡجِعُونَreturn.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Encouragement to adhere to the Qur'an

Allah then says;

﴿ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

(So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) means, hold fast to the Qur'an which has been sent down to your heart, for it is truth and what it leads to is truth that shows the way to the straight path that leads to Gardens of Delight and eternal, everlasting goodness.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ

(And verily, this is a Dhikr for you and your people,) It was said that this means, `it is an honor for you and your people;' this was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd. This means that it is an honor for them in that it was revealed in their language, so they are the people who have the best understanding of it among mankind and hence are obliged to be the most steadfast in adhering to its commandments. This is how the best of them were, the first immigrants and those who emulated them and followed them. It was also said that the meaning of the phrase;

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ

(And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people,) was that `it was sent to remind you and your people.' The fact that they are singled out does not exclude others. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ لَقَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا فِيهِ ذِكۡرُكُمۡ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ

(Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book in which there is Dhikrukum (your Reminder). Will you not then understand) (21:10)

﴿ وَأَنذِرۡ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ

(And warn your tribe of near kindred) (26:214)

﴿ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ

(and you will be questioned.) means, `about this Qur'an, and how you acted upon it and what your response to it was.'

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') means, `all the Messengers called their people to the same as that to which you are calling mankind, namely the worship of Allah Alone with no partner or associate, and they forbade the worship of idols and false gods.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid all false deities.'') (16:36) Mujahid said that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud recited it: (وَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ قَبْلَكَ (مِنْ) رُسُلِنَا) (And ask those whom We sent before you of Our Messengers.) This was narrated by Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi from Ibn Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him. Yet this appears to be an explanation rather than an alternate version of recitation. And Allah knows best.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنۡہَا يَضۡحَكُونَ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ وَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهۡتَدُونَ فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(46. And indeed We did send Musa with Our Ayat to Fir`awn and his chiefs. He said: "Verily, I am a Messenger of the Lord of all that exists.'') (47. But when he came to them with Our Ayat, behold, they laughed at them). (48. And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it, and We seized them with torment, in order that they might turn.) (49. And they said (to Musa): "O you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has made a pact with you. Verily, We shall guide ourselves.'') (50. But when We removed the torment from them, behold, they broke their covenant.)

49
وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهۡتَدُونَ
And they said [to Moses], "O magician, invoke for us your Lord by what He has promised you. Indeed, we will be guided."
وَقَالُواْAnd they said,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ`O
ٱلسَّاحِرُ[the] magician!
ٱدۡعُInvoke
لَنَاfor us
رَبَّكَyour Lord
بِمَاby what
عَهِدَHe has made covenant
عِندَكَwith you.
إِنَّنَاIndeed, we
لَمُهۡتَدُونَ(will) surely be guided.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Encouragement to adhere to the Qur'an

Allah then says;

﴿ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

(So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) means, hold fast to the Qur'an which has been sent down to your heart, for it is truth and what it leads to is truth that shows the way to the straight path that leads to Gardens of Delight and eternal, everlasting goodness.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ

(And verily, this is a Dhikr for you and your people,) It was said that this means, `it is an honor for you and your people;' this was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd. This means that it is an honor for them in that it was revealed in their language, so they are the people who have the best understanding of it among mankind and hence are obliged to be the most steadfast in adhering to its commandments. This is how the best of them were, the first immigrants and those who emulated them and followed them. It was also said that the meaning of the phrase;

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ

(And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people,) was that `it was sent to remind you and your people.' The fact that they are singled out does not exclude others. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ لَقَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا فِيهِ ذِكۡرُكُمۡ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ

(Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book in which there is Dhikrukum (your Reminder). Will you not then understand) (21:10)

﴿ وَأَنذِرۡ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ

(And warn your tribe of near kindred) (26:214)

﴿ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ

(and you will be questioned.) means, `about this Qur'an, and how you acted upon it and what your response to it was.'

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') means, `all the Messengers called their people to the same as that to which you are calling mankind, namely the worship of Allah Alone with no partner or associate, and they forbade the worship of idols and false gods.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid all false deities.'') (16:36) Mujahid said that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud recited it: (وَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ قَبْلَكَ (مِنْ) رُسُلِنَا) (And ask those whom We sent before you of Our Messengers.) This was narrated by Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi from Ibn Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him. Yet this appears to be an explanation rather than an alternate version of recitation. And Allah knows best.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنۡہَا يَضۡحَكُونَ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ وَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهۡتَدُونَ فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(46. And indeed We did send Musa with Our Ayat to Fir`awn and his chiefs. He said: "Verily, I am a Messenger of the Lord of all that exists.'') (47. But when he came to them with Our Ayat, behold, they laughed at them). (48. And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it, and We seized them with torment, in order that they might turn.) (49. And they said (to Musa): "O you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has made a pact with you. Verily, We shall guide ourselves.'') (50. But when We removed the torment from them, behold, they broke their covenant.)

50
فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ
But when We removed from them the affliction, at once they broke their word.
فَلَمَّاBut when
كَشَفۡنَاWe removed
عَنۡہُمُfrom them
ٱلۡعَذَابَthe punishment
إِذَاbehold!
هُمۡThey
يَنكُثُونَbroke (their word).
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Encouragement to adhere to the Qur'an

Allah then says;

﴿ فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

(So hold you fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily, you are on the straight path.) means, hold fast to the Qur'an which has been sent down to your heart, for it is truth and what it leads to is truth that shows the way to the straight path that leads to Gardens of Delight and eternal, everlasting goodness.

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ

(And verily, this is a Dhikr for you and your people,) It was said that this means, `it is an honor for you and your people;' this was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd. This means that it is an honor for them in that it was revealed in their language, so they are the people who have the best understanding of it among mankind and hence are obliged to be the most steadfast in adhering to its commandments. This is how the best of them were, the first immigrants and those who emulated them and followed them. It was also said that the meaning of the phrase;

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَذِكۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَ‌ۖ

(And verily, this is indeed a Dhikr for you and your people,) was that `it was sent to remind you and your people.' The fact that they are singled out does not exclude others. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ لَقَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكُمۡ ڪِتَـٰبً۬ا فِيهِ ذِكۡرُكُمۡ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ

(Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book in which there is Dhikrukum (your Reminder). Will you not then understand) (21:10)

﴿ وَأَنذِرۡ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ

(And warn your tribe of near kindred) (26:214)

﴿ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَ

(and you will be questioned.) means, `about this Qur'an, and how you acted upon it and what your response to it was.'

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ

(And ask whom We sent before you of Our Messengers: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') means, `all the Messengers called their people to the same as that to which you are calling mankind, namely the worship of Allah Alone with no partner or associate, and they forbade the worship of idols and false gods.' This is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid all false deities.'') (16:36) Mujahid said that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud recited it: (وَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ قَبْلَكَ (مِنْ) رُسُلِنَا) (And ask those whom We sent before you of Our Messengers.) This was narrated by Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi from Ibn Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him. Yet this appears to be an explanation rather than an alternate version of recitation. And Allah knows best.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنۡہَا يَضۡحَكُونَ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ وَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهۡتَدُونَ فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(46. And indeed We did send Musa with Our Ayat to Fir`awn and his chiefs. He said: "Verily, I am a Messenger of the Lord of all that exists.'') (47. But when he came to them with Our Ayat, behold, they laughed at them). (48. And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it, and We seized them with torment, in order that they might turn.) (49. And they said (to Musa): "O you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has made a pact with you. Verily, We shall guide ourselves.'') (50. But when We removed the torment from them, behold, they broke their covenant.)

51
وَنَادَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فِى قَوۡمِهِۦ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ
And Pharaoh called out among his people; he said, "O my people, does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me, and these rivers flowing beneath me; then do you not see?
وَنَادَىٰAnd called out
فِرۡعَوۡنُFiraun
فِىamong
قَوۡمِهِۦhis people;
قَالَhe said,
يَـٰقَوۡمِ`O my people!
أَلَيۡسَIs not
لِىfor me
مُلۡكُ(the) kingdom
مِصۡرَ(of) Egypt
وَهَـٰذِهِand these
ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ[the] rivers
تَجۡرِىflowing
مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖunderneath me.
أَفَلَاThen do not
تُبۡصِرُونَyou see?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Musa was sent with the Message of Tawhid to Fir`awn and His Chiefs

Here Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Musa (peace be upon him) and how He sent him to Fir`awn and his chiefs. That is, his governors, ministers, leaders and followers among the Egyptians and the Children of Israel. Allah sent him to call them to worship Allah alone, with no partner or associate, and to forbid them from worshipping anything other than Him. He sent him with mighty signs, such as his hand and his staff, other signs such as the flood, locusts, Qummal, frogs and blood, and the loss of their crops and lives. Yet despite all that they remained arrogant and stubbornly refused to follow him; they rejected his message and made fun of it, and laughed at the one who had brought it.

﴿ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ

(And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it,) but despite that they would not give up their sin, misguidance, ignorance and confusion. Every time one of these signs came to them, they would go and implore Musa, saying,

﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ

("O you sorcerer!...'') meaning, expert or knowledgeable one -- this was the view of Ibn Jarir. The scholars of that time were the sorcerers or magicians, and magic was not regarded as something reprehensible by them at that time, so this was not a slight on their part. They were in a state of need, so it would not have been appropriate for them to insult him. This was a way of honoring him, as they thought. On each occasion, they promised Musa that if the torment was lifted from them, they would believe in him and let the Children of Israel go with him, but on each occasion they went back on their word. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلۡجَرَادَ وَٱلۡقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَـٰتٍ۬ مُّفَصَّلَـٰتٍ۬ فَٱسۡتَڪۡبَرُواْ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّجۡرِمِينَ وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلرِّجۡزُ قَالُواْ يَـٰمُوسَى ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ‌ۖ لَٮِٕن كَشَفۡتَ عَنَّا ٱلرِّجۡزَ لَنُؤۡمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرۡسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ فَلَمَّا ڪَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلرِّجۡزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَـٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the Qummal, the frogs, and the blood; manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were criminals. And when the punishment struck them, they said: "O Musa! Invoke your Lord for us because of His promise to you. If you remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you.'' But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold! they broke their word!) (7:133-135)

﴿ وَنَادَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فِى قَوۡمِهِۦ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(51. And Fir`awn proclaimed among his people (saying): "O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then'') (52. "Am I not better than this one (Musa) who is despicable and can scarcely express himself clearly'') (53. Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him'') (54. Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) (55. So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) (56. And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.)

52
أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ
Or am I [not] better than this one who is insignificant and hardly makes himself clear?
أَمۡOr
أَنَا۟am I
خَيۡرٌ۬better
مِّنۡthan
هَـٰذَاthis,
ٱلَّذِىone who -
هُوَhe
مَهِينٌ۬(is) insignificant
وَلَا يَكَادُand hardly
يُبِينُclear.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Musa was sent with the Message of Tawhid to Fir`awn and His Chiefs

Here Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Musa (peace be upon him) and how He sent him to Fir`awn and his chiefs. That is, his governors, ministers, leaders and followers among the Egyptians and the Children of Israel. Allah sent him to call them to worship Allah alone, with no partner or associate, and to forbid them from worshipping anything other than Him. He sent him with mighty signs, such as his hand and his staff, other signs such as the flood, locusts, Qummal, frogs and blood, and the loss of their crops and lives. Yet despite all that they remained arrogant and stubbornly refused to follow him; they rejected his message and made fun of it, and laughed at the one who had brought it.

﴿ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ

(And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it,) but despite that they would not give up their sin, misguidance, ignorance and confusion. Every time one of these signs came to them, they would go and implore Musa, saying,

﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ

("O you sorcerer!...'') meaning, expert or knowledgeable one -- this was the view of Ibn Jarir. The scholars of that time were the sorcerers or magicians, and magic was not regarded as something reprehensible by them at that time, so this was not a slight on their part. They were in a state of need, so it would not have been appropriate for them to insult him. This was a way of honoring him, as they thought. On each occasion, they promised Musa that if the torment was lifted from them, they would believe in him and let the Children of Israel go with him, but on each occasion they went back on their word. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلۡجَرَادَ وَٱلۡقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَـٰتٍ۬ مُّفَصَّلَـٰتٍ۬ فَٱسۡتَڪۡبَرُواْ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّجۡرِمِينَ وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلرِّجۡزُ قَالُواْ يَـٰمُوسَى ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ‌ۖ لَٮِٕن كَشَفۡتَ عَنَّا ٱلرِّجۡزَ لَنُؤۡمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرۡسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ فَلَمَّا ڪَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلرِّجۡزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَـٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the Qummal, the frogs, and the blood; manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were criminals. And when the punishment struck them, they said: "O Musa! Invoke your Lord for us because of His promise to you. If you remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you.'' But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold! they broke their word!) (7:133-135)

﴿ وَنَادَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فِى قَوۡمِهِۦ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(51. And Fir`awn proclaimed among his people (saying): "O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then'') (52. "Am I not better than this one (Musa) who is despicable and can scarcely express himself clearly'') (53. Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him'') (54. Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) (55. So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) (56. And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.)

53
فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ
Then why have there not been placed upon him bracelets of gold or come with him the angels in conjunction?"
فَلَوۡلَآThen why not
أُلۡقِىَare placed
عَلَيۡهِon him
أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬bracelets
مِّنof
ذَهَبٍgold
أَوۡor
جَآءَcome
مَعَهُwith him
ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُthe Angels
مُقۡتَرِنِينَaccompanying (him)?`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Musa was sent with the Message of Tawhid to Fir`awn and His Chiefs

Here Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Musa (peace be upon him) and how He sent him to Fir`awn and his chiefs. That is, his governors, ministers, leaders and followers among the Egyptians and the Children of Israel. Allah sent him to call them to worship Allah alone, with no partner or associate, and to forbid them from worshipping anything other than Him. He sent him with mighty signs, such as his hand and his staff, other signs such as the flood, locusts, Qummal, frogs and blood, and the loss of their crops and lives. Yet despite all that they remained arrogant and stubbornly refused to follow him; they rejected his message and made fun of it, and laughed at the one who had brought it.

﴿ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ

(And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it,) but despite that they would not give up their sin, misguidance, ignorance and confusion. Every time one of these signs came to them, they would go and implore Musa, saying,

﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ

("O you sorcerer!...'') meaning, expert or knowledgeable one -- this was the view of Ibn Jarir. The scholars of that time were the sorcerers or magicians, and magic was not regarded as something reprehensible by them at that time, so this was not a slight on their part. They were in a state of need, so it would not have been appropriate for them to insult him. This was a way of honoring him, as they thought. On each occasion, they promised Musa that if the torment was lifted from them, they would believe in him and let the Children of Israel go with him, but on each occasion they went back on their word. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلۡجَرَادَ وَٱلۡقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَـٰتٍ۬ مُّفَصَّلَـٰتٍ۬ فَٱسۡتَڪۡبَرُواْ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّجۡرِمِينَ وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلرِّجۡزُ قَالُواْ يَـٰمُوسَى ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ‌ۖ لَٮِٕن كَشَفۡتَ عَنَّا ٱلرِّجۡزَ لَنُؤۡمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرۡسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ فَلَمَّا ڪَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلرِّجۡزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَـٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the Qummal, the frogs, and the blood; manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were criminals. And when the punishment struck them, they said: "O Musa! Invoke your Lord for us because of His promise to you. If you remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you.'' But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold! they broke their word!) (7:133-135)

﴿ وَنَادَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فِى قَوۡمِهِۦ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(51. And Fir`awn proclaimed among his people (saying): "O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then'') (52. "Am I not better than this one (Musa) who is despicable and can scarcely express himself clearly'') (53. Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him'') (54. Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) (55. So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) (56. And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.)

54
فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ
So he bluffed his people, and they obeyed him. Indeed, they were [themselves] a people defiantly disobedient [of Allah].
فَٱسۡتَخَفَّSo he bluffed
قَوۡمَهُ ۥhis people,
فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚand they obeyed him.
إِنَّهُمۡIndeed, they
كَانُواْwere
قَوۡمً۬اa people
فَـٰسِقِينَdefiantly disobedient.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Musa was sent with the Message of Tawhid to Fir`awn and His Chiefs

Here Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Musa (peace be upon him) and how He sent him to Fir`awn and his chiefs. That is, his governors, ministers, leaders and followers among the Egyptians and the Children of Israel. Allah sent him to call them to worship Allah alone, with no partner or associate, and to forbid them from worshipping anything other than Him. He sent him with mighty signs, such as his hand and his staff, other signs such as the flood, locusts, Qummal, frogs and blood, and the loss of their crops and lives. Yet despite all that they remained arrogant and stubbornly refused to follow him; they rejected his message and made fun of it, and laughed at the one who had brought it.

﴿ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ

(And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it,) but despite that they would not give up their sin, misguidance, ignorance and confusion. Every time one of these signs came to them, they would go and implore Musa, saying,

﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ

("O you sorcerer!...'') meaning, expert or knowledgeable one -- this was the view of Ibn Jarir. The scholars of that time were the sorcerers or magicians, and magic was not regarded as something reprehensible by them at that time, so this was not a slight on their part. They were in a state of need, so it would not have been appropriate for them to insult him. This was a way of honoring him, as they thought. On each occasion, they promised Musa that if the torment was lifted from them, they would believe in him and let the Children of Israel go with him, but on each occasion they went back on their word. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلۡجَرَادَ وَٱلۡقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَـٰتٍ۬ مُّفَصَّلَـٰتٍ۬ فَٱسۡتَڪۡبَرُواْ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّجۡرِمِينَ وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلرِّجۡزُ قَالُواْ يَـٰمُوسَى ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ‌ۖ لَٮِٕن كَشَفۡتَ عَنَّا ٱلرِّجۡزَ لَنُؤۡمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرۡسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ فَلَمَّا ڪَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلرِّجۡزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَـٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the Qummal, the frogs, and the blood; manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were criminals. And when the punishment struck them, they said: "O Musa! Invoke your Lord for us because of His promise to you. If you remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you.'' But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold! they broke their word!) (7:133-135)

﴿ وَنَادَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فِى قَوۡمِهِۦ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(51. And Fir`awn proclaimed among his people (saying): "O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then'') (52. "Am I not better than this one (Musa) who is despicable and can scarcely express himself clearly'') (53. Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him'') (54. Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) (55. So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) (56. And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.)

55
فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ
And when they angered Us, We took retribution from them and drowned them all.
فَلَمَّآSo when
ءَاسَفُونَاthey angered Us,
ٱنتَقَمۡنَاWe took retribution
مِنۡهُمۡfrom them,
فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡand We drowned them
أَجۡمَعِينَall.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Musa was sent with the Message of Tawhid to Fir`awn and His Chiefs

Here Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Musa (peace be upon him) and how He sent him to Fir`awn and his chiefs. That is, his governors, ministers, leaders and followers among the Egyptians and the Children of Israel. Allah sent him to call them to worship Allah alone, with no partner or associate, and to forbid them from worshipping anything other than Him. He sent him with mighty signs, such as his hand and his staff, other signs such as the flood, locusts, Qummal, frogs and blood, and the loss of their crops and lives. Yet despite all that they remained arrogant and stubbornly refused to follow him; they rejected his message and made fun of it, and laughed at the one who had brought it.

﴿ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ

(And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it,) but despite that they would not give up their sin, misguidance, ignorance and confusion. Every time one of these signs came to them, they would go and implore Musa, saying,

﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ

("O you sorcerer!...'') meaning, expert or knowledgeable one -- this was the view of Ibn Jarir. The scholars of that time were the sorcerers or magicians, and magic was not regarded as something reprehensible by them at that time, so this was not a slight on their part. They were in a state of need, so it would not have been appropriate for them to insult him. This was a way of honoring him, as they thought. On each occasion, they promised Musa that if the torment was lifted from them, they would believe in him and let the Children of Israel go with him, but on each occasion they went back on their word. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلۡجَرَادَ وَٱلۡقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَـٰتٍ۬ مُّفَصَّلَـٰتٍ۬ فَٱسۡتَڪۡبَرُواْ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّجۡرِمِينَ وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلرِّجۡزُ قَالُواْ يَـٰمُوسَى ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ‌ۖ لَٮِٕن كَشَفۡتَ عَنَّا ٱلرِّجۡزَ لَنُؤۡمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرۡسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ فَلَمَّا ڪَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلرِّجۡزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَـٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the Qummal, the frogs, and the blood; manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were criminals. And when the punishment struck them, they said: "O Musa! Invoke your Lord for us because of His promise to you. If you remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you.'' But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold! they broke their word!) (7:133-135)

﴿ وَنَادَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فِى قَوۡمِهِۦ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(51. And Fir`awn proclaimed among his people (saying): "O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then'') (52. "Am I not better than this one (Musa) who is despicable and can scarcely express himself clearly'') (53. Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him'') (54. Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) (55. So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) (56. And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.)

56
فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ
And We made them a precedent and an example for the later peoples.
فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡAnd We made them
سَلَفً۬اa precedent
وَمَثَلاً۬and an example
لِّلۡأَخِرِينَfor the later (generations).
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Musa was sent with the Message of Tawhid to Fir`awn and His Chiefs

Here Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Musa (peace be upon him) and how He sent him to Fir`awn and his chiefs. That is, his governors, ministers, leaders and followers among the Egyptians and the Children of Israel. Allah sent him to call them to worship Allah alone, with no partner or associate, and to forbid them from worshipping anything other than Him. He sent him with mighty signs, such as his hand and his staff, other signs such as the flood, locusts, Qummal, frogs and blood, and the loss of their crops and lives. Yet despite all that they remained arrogant and stubbornly refused to follow him; they rejected his message and made fun of it, and laughed at the one who had brought it.

﴿ وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ

(And not an Ayah We showed them but it was greater than its fellow preceding it,) but despite that they would not give up their sin, misguidance, ignorance and confusion. Every time one of these signs came to them, they would go and implore Musa, saying,

﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ

("O you sorcerer!...'') meaning, expert or knowledgeable one -- this was the view of Ibn Jarir. The scholars of that time were the sorcerers or magicians, and magic was not regarded as something reprehensible by them at that time, so this was not a slight on their part. They were in a state of need, so it would not have been appropriate for them to insult him. This was a way of honoring him, as they thought. On each occasion, they promised Musa that if the torment was lifted from them, they would believe in him and let the Children of Israel go with him, but on each occasion they went back on their word. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلۡجَرَادَ وَٱلۡقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَـٰتٍ۬ مُّفَصَّلَـٰتٍ۬ فَٱسۡتَڪۡبَرُواْ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّجۡرِمِينَ وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلرِّجۡزُ قَالُواْ يَـٰمُوسَى ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ‌ۖ لَٮِٕن كَشَفۡتَ عَنَّا ٱلرِّجۡزَ لَنُؤۡمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرۡسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ فَلَمَّا ڪَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلرِّجۡزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَـٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

(So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the Qummal, the frogs, and the blood; manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were criminals. And when the punishment struck them, they said: "O Musa! Invoke your Lord for us because of His promise to you. If you remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you.'' But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold! they broke their word!) (7:133-135)

﴿ وَنَادَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فِى قَوۡمِهِۦ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(51. And Fir`awn proclaimed among his people (saying): "O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then'') (52. "Am I not better than this one (Musa) who is despicable and can scarcely express himself clearly'') (53. Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him'') (54. Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) (55. So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) (56. And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.)

57
وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ
And when the son of Mary was presented as an example, immediately your people laughed aloud.
۞ وَلَمَّاAnd when
ضُرِبَis presented,
ٱبۡنُ(the) son
مَرۡيَمَ(of) Maryam,
مَثَلاً(as) an example
إِذَاbehold!
قَوۡمُكَYour people
مِنۡهُabout it
يَصِدُّونَlaughed aloud.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Fir`awn's Address to His People and how Allah punished Him

Allah tells us how Fir`awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt.

﴿ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ

(Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me) Qatadah said, "They had gardens and rivers of flowing water.''

﴿ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ

(See you not then) means, `do you not see my position of might and power' -- implying that Musa and his followers were poor and weak. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ فَقَالَ أَنَا۟ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰٓ

(Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, saying: "I am your lord, most high.'' So Allah seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression.) (79:23-25)

﴿ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬

(Am I not better than this one who is despicable) As-Suddi said, "He was saying, `indeed I am better than this one, who is despicable'.'' Some of the grammarians of Basrah said that Fir`awn -- may the curse of Allah be upon him -- was saying that he was better than Musa, peace be upon him. But this is an obvious lie, may continued curses be upon him until the Day of Resurrection. By describing Musa as despicable he meant -- as Sufyan said -- insignificant. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "He meant, weak.'' Ibn Jarir said, "He meant, he had no power, authority or wealth.''

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly) means, he cannot speak clearly, he stammers and cannot speak well. Fir`awn's description of Musa as "despicable'' is a lie; rather it is he who was despicable and insignificant, lacking in physical, moral and religious terms, and it is Musa who was noble, truthful, righteous and upright.

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly). This was also a lie. Although something happened to Musa's tongue when he was a child, when it was burnt by a coal. He asked Allah to loosen the knot from his tongue (i.e., to correct his speech defect) so that they could understand what he said, and Allah had answered his prayer and said:

﴿ قَدۡ أُوتِيتَ سُؤۡلَكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ

(You are granted your request, O Musa) (20:36). It may be the case that some problem remained which he had not asked to be relieved of, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri suggested, and that he had asked only to be relieved of that which stood in the way of his conveying the Message. A person cannot be blamed for physical matters over which he has no control. Even though Fir`awn had the intelligence to understand that, he wanted to confuse and mislead his people, who were ignorant and stupid. So he said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him...) meaning, adornments which are placed on the arms. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Qatadah and others.

﴿ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ

(or angels sent along with him) meaning, to serve him and to testify that he is telling the truth. He looked only at outward appearances and did not understand the true inner matters that are clearer than what he focused on, if only he had understood that. Allah says:

﴿ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ

(Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him.) meaning, he confused them and invited them to misguidance, and they responded to him.

﴿ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ

(Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) Then Allah says:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said it means: "When they angered Us means, they provoked Our wrath.'' Ad-Dahhak said, it means "They made Us angry.'' This was also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Qatadah, As-Suddi and other scholars of Tafsir. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِذَا رَأَيْتَ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يُعْطِي الْعَبْدَ مَا يَشَاءُ، وَهُوَ مُقِيمٌ عَلى مَعَاصِيهِ، فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ لَه »

(When you see that Allah gives a person what he wants even though he is persisting in sin, that means that Allah is enticing him into destruction.) Then he recited:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) It was reported that Tariq bin Shihab said, "I was with `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the issue of sudden death was mentioned. He said, `It is a relief for the believer and a source of regret for the disbeliever.' Then he recited the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all). '' `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I found that punishment comes with negligence, meaning the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all).''

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) Abu Mijlaz said, "Precedent for others who do the same as they did.'' He and Mujahid said, "An example, i.e., a lesson to those who come after them.'' Allah is the One Who guides to the straight path, and unto Him is the final return.

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(57. And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) (58. And say: "Are our gods better or is he'' They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.) (59. He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) (60. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) (61. And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path.) (62. And let not Shaytan hinder you. Verily, he (Shaytan) to you is a plain enemy.) (63. And when `Isa came with clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah, and in order to make clear to you some of that in which you differ. Therefore have Taqwa of Allah and obey me.'') (64. "Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.'') (65. But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day!)

58
وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ
And they said, "Are your gods better, or is he?" They did not present the comparison except for [mere] argument. But, [in fact], they are a people prone to dispute.
وَقَالُوٓاْAnd they said,
ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا`Are our gods
خَيۡرٌbetter
أَمۡor
هُوَ‌ۚhe?`
مَاNot
ضَرَبُوهُthey present it
لَكَto you
إِلَّاexcept
جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ(for) argument.
بَلۡNay,
هُمۡthey
قَوۡمٌ(are) a people
خَصِمُونَargumentative.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Fir`awn's Address to His People and how Allah punished Him

Allah tells us how Fir`awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt.

﴿ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ

(Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me) Qatadah said, "They had gardens and rivers of flowing water.''

﴿ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ

(See you not then) means, `do you not see my position of might and power' -- implying that Musa and his followers were poor and weak. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ فَقَالَ أَنَا۟ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰٓ

(Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, saying: "I am your lord, most high.'' So Allah seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression.) (79:23-25)

﴿ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬

(Am I not better than this one who is despicable) As-Suddi said, "He was saying, `indeed I am better than this one, who is despicable'.'' Some of the grammarians of Basrah said that Fir`awn -- may the curse of Allah be upon him -- was saying that he was better than Musa, peace be upon him. But this is an obvious lie, may continued curses be upon him until the Day of Resurrection. By describing Musa as despicable he meant -- as Sufyan said -- insignificant. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "He meant, weak.'' Ibn Jarir said, "He meant, he had no power, authority or wealth.''

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly) means, he cannot speak clearly, he stammers and cannot speak well. Fir`awn's description of Musa as "despicable'' is a lie; rather it is he who was despicable and insignificant, lacking in physical, moral and religious terms, and it is Musa who was noble, truthful, righteous and upright.

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly). This was also a lie. Although something happened to Musa's tongue when he was a child, when it was burnt by a coal. He asked Allah to loosen the knot from his tongue (i.e., to correct his speech defect) so that they could understand what he said, and Allah had answered his prayer and said:

﴿ قَدۡ أُوتِيتَ سُؤۡلَكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ

(You are granted your request, O Musa) (20:36). It may be the case that some problem remained which he had not asked to be relieved of, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri suggested, and that he had asked only to be relieved of that which stood in the way of his conveying the Message. A person cannot be blamed for physical matters over which he has no control. Even though Fir`awn had the intelligence to understand that, he wanted to confuse and mislead his people, who were ignorant and stupid. So he said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him...) meaning, adornments which are placed on the arms. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Qatadah and others.

﴿ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ

(or angels sent along with him) meaning, to serve him and to testify that he is telling the truth. He looked only at outward appearances and did not understand the true inner matters that are clearer than what he focused on, if only he had understood that. Allah says:

﴿ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ

(Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him.) meaning, he confused them and invited them to misguidance, and they responded to him.

﴿ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ

(Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) Then Allah says:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said it means: "When they angered Us means, they provoked Our wrath.'' Ad-Dahhak said, it means "They made Us angry.'' This was also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Qatadah, As-Suddi and other scholars of Tafsir. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِذَا رَأَيْتَ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يُعْطِي الْعَبْدَ مَا يَشَاءُ، وَهُوَ مُقِيمٌ عَلى مَعَاصِيهِ، فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ لَه »

(When you see that Allah gives a person what he wants even though he is persisting in sin, that means that Allah is enticing him into destruction.) Then he recited:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) It was reported that Tariq bin Shihab said, "I was with `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the issue of sudden death was mentioned. He said, `It is a relief for the believer and a source of regret for the disbeliever.' Then he recited the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all). '' `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I found that punishment comes with negligence, meaning the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all).''

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) Abu Mijlaz said, "Precedent for others who do the same as they did.'' He and Mujahid said, "An example, i.e., a lesson to those who come after them.'' Allah is the One Who guides to the straight path, and unto Him is the final return.

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(57. And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) (58. And say: "Are our gods better or is he'' They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.) (59. He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) (60. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) (61. And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path.) (62. And let not Shaytan hinder you. Verily, he (Shaytan) to you is a plain enemy.) (63. And when `Isa came with clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah, and in order to make clear to you some of that in which you differ. Therefore have Taqwa of Allah and obey me.'') (64. "Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.'') (65. But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day!)

59
إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ
Jesus was not but a servant upon whom We bestowed favor, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.
إِنۡNot
هُوَhe
إِلَّا(was) except
عَبۡدٌa slave,
أَنۡعَمۡنَاWe bestowed Our favor
عَلَيۡهِon him
وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُand We made him
مَثَلاً۬an example
لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَfor (the) Children of Israel.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Fir`awn's Address to His People and how Allah punished Him

Allah tells us how Fir`awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt.

﴿ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ

(Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me) Qatadah said, "They had gardens and rivers of flowing water.''

﴿ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ

(See you not then) means, `do you not see my position of might and power' -- implying that Musa and his followers were poor and weak. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ فَقَالَ أَنَا۟ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰٓ

(Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, saying: "I am your lord, most high.'' So Allah seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression.) (79:23-25)

﴿ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬

(Am I not better than this one who is despicable) As-Suddi said, "He was saying, `indeed I am better than this one, who is despicable'.'' Some of the grammarians of Basrah said that Fir`awn -- may the curse of Allah be upon him -- was saying that he was better than Musa, peace be upon him. But this is an obvious lie, may continued curses be upon him until the Day of Resurrection. By describing Musa as despicable he meant -- as Sufyan said -- insignificant. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "He meant, weak.'' Ibn Jarir said, "He meant, he had no power, authority or wealth.''

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly) means, he cannot speak clearly, he stammers and cannot speak well. Fir`awn's description of Musa as "despicable'' is a lie; rather it is he who was despicable and insignificant, lacking in physical, moral and religious terms, and it is Musa who was noble, truthful, righteous and upright.

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly). This was also a lie. Although something happened to Musa's tongue when he was a child, when it was burnt by a coal. He asked Allah to loosen the knot from his tongue (i.e., to correct his speech defect) so that they could understand what he said, and Allah had answered his prayer and said:

﴿ قَدۡ أُوتِيتَ سُؤۡلَكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ

(You are granted your request, O Musa) (20:36). It may be the case that some problem remained which he had not asked to be relieved of, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri suggested, and that he had asked only to be relieved of that which stood in the way of his conveying the Message. A person cannot be blamed for physical matters over which he has no control. Even though Fir`awn had the intelligence to understand that, he wanted to confuse and mislead his people, who were ignorant and stupid. So he said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him...) meaning, adornments which are placed on the arms. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Qatadah and others.

﴿ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ

(or angels sent along with him) meaning, to serve him and to testify that he is telling the truth. He looked only at outward appearances and did not understand the true inner matters that are clearer than what he focused on, if only he had understood that. Allah says:

﴿ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ

(Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him.) meaning, he confused them and invited them to misguidance, and they responded to him.

﴿ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ

(Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) Then Allah says:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said it means: "When they angered Us means, they provoked Our wrath.'' Ad-Dahhak said, it means "They made Us angry.'' This was also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Qatadah, As-Suddi and other scholars of Tafsir. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِذَا رَأَيْتَ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يُعْطِي الْعَبْدَ مَا يَشَاءُ، وَهُوَ مُقِيمٌ عَلى مَعَاصِيهِ، فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ لَه »

(When you see that Allah gives a person what he wants even though he is persisting in sin, that means that Allah is enticing him into destruction.) Then he recited:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) It was reported that Tariq bin Shihab said, "I was with `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the issue of sudden death was mentioned. He said, `It is a relief for the believer and a source of regret for the disbeliever.' Then he recited the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all). '' `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I found that punishment comes with negligence, meaning the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all).''

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) Abu Mijlaz said, "Precedent for others who do the same as they did.'' He and Mujahid said, "An example, i.e., a lesson to those who come after them.'' Allah is the One Who guides to the straight path, and unto Him is the final return.

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(57. And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) (58. And say: "Are our gods better or is he'' They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.) (59. He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) (60. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) (61. And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path.) (62. And let not Shaytan hinder you. Verily, he (Shaytan) to you is a plain enemy.) (63. And when `Isa came with clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah, and in order to make clear to you some of that in which you differ. Therefore have Taqwa of Allah and obey me.'') (64. "Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.'') (65. But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day!)

60
وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ
And if We willed, We could have made [instead] of you angels succeeding [one another] on the earth.
وَلَوۡAnd if
نَشَآءُWe willed,
لَجَعَلۡنَاsurely We (could have) made
مِنكُمamong you
مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬Angels
فِىin
ٱلۡأَرۡضِthe earth
يَخۡلُفُونَsucceeding.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Fir`awn's Address to His People and how Allah punished Him

Allah tells us how Fir`awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt.

﴿ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ

(Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me) Qatadah said, "They had gardens and rivers of flowing water.''

﴿ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ

(See you not then) means, `do you not see my position of might and power' -- implying that Musa and his followers were poor and weak. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ فَقَالَ أَنَا۟ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰٓ

(Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, saying: "I am your lord, most high.'' So Allah seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression.) (79:23-25)

﴿ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬

(Am I not better than this one who is despicable) As-Suddi said, "He was saying, `indeed I am better than this one, who is despicable'.'' Some of the grammarians of Basrah said that Fir`awn -- may the curse of Allah be upon him -- was saying that he was better than Musa, peace be upon him. But this is an obvious lie, may continued curses be upon him until the Day of Resurrection. By describing Musa as despicable he meant -- as Sufyan said -- insignificant. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "He meant, weak.'' Ibn Jarir said, "He meant, he had no power, authority or wealth.''

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly) means, he cannot speak clearly, he stammers and cannot speak well. Fir`awn's description of Musa as "despicable'' is a lie; rather it is he who was despicable and insignificant, lacking in physical, moral and religious terms, and it is Musa who was noble, truthful, righteous and upright.

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly). This was also a lie. Although something happened to Musa's tongue when he was a child, when it was burnt by a coal. He asked Allah to loosen the knot from his tongue (i.e., to correct his speech defect) so that they could understand what he said, and Allah had answered his prayer and said:

﴿ قَدۡ أُوتِيتَ سُؤۡلَكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ

(You are granted your request, O Musa) (20:36). It may be the case that some problem remained which he had not asked to be relieved of, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri suggested, and that he had asked only to be relieved of that which stood in the way of his conveying the Message. A person cannot be blamed for physical matters over which he has no control. Even though Fir`awn had the intelligence to understand that, he wanted to confuse and mislead his people, who were ignorant and stupid. So he said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him...) meaning, adornments which are placed on the arms. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Qatadah and others.

﴿ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ

(or angels sent along with him) meaning, to serve him and to testify that he is telling the truth. He looked only at outward appearances and did not understand the true inner matters that are clearer than what he focused on, if only he had understood that. Allah says:

﴿ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ

(Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him.) meaning, he confused them and invited them to misguidance, and they responded to him.

﴿ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ

(Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) Then Allah says:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said it means: "When they angered Us means, they provoked Our wrath.'' Ad-Dahhak said, it means "They made Us angry.'' This was also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Qatadah, As-Suddi and other scholars of Tafsir. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِذَا رَأَيْتَ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يُعْطِي الْعَبْدَ مَا يَشَاءُ، وَهُوَ مُقِيمٌ عَلى مَعَاصِيهِ، فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ لَه »

(When you see that Allah gives a person what he wants even though he is persisting in sin, that means that Allah is enticing him into destruction.) Then he recited:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) It was reported that Tariq bin Shihab said, "I was with `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the issue of sudden death was mentioned. He said, `It is a relief for the believer and a source of regret for the disbeliever.' Then he recited the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all). '' `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I found that punishment comes with negligence, meaning the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all).''

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) Abu Mijlaz said, "Precedent for others who do the same as they did.'' He and Mujahid said, "An example, i.e., a lesson to those who come after them.'' Allah is the One Who guides to the straight path, and unto Him is the final return.

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(57. And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) (58. And say: "Are our gods better or is he'' They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.) (59. He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) (60. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) (61. And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path.) (62. And let not Shaytan hinder you. Verily, he (Shaytan) to you is a plain enemy.) (63. And when `Isa came with clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah, and in order to make clear to you some of that in which you differ. Therefore have Taqwa of Allah and obey me.'') (64. "Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.'') (65. But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day!)

61
وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬
And indeed, Jesus will be [a sign for] knowledge of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.
وَإِنَّهُ ۥAnd indeed, it
لَعِلۡمٌ۬surely (is) a knowledge
لِّلسَّاعَةِof the Hour.
فَلَاSo (do) not
تَمۡتَرُنَّ(be) doubtful
بِہَاabout it,
وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚand follow Me.
هَـٰذَاThis
صِرَٲطٌ۬(is the) Path
مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬Straight.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Fir`awn's Address to His People and how Allah punished Him

Allah tells us how Fir`awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt.

﴿ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ

(Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me) Qatadah said, "They had gardens and rivers of flowing water.''

﴿ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ

(See you not then) means, `do you not see my position of might and power' -- implying that Musa and his followers were poor and weak. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ فَقَالَ أَنَا۟ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰٓ

(Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, saying: "I am your lord, most high.'' So Allah seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression.) (79:23-25)

﴿ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬

(Am I not better than this one who is despicable) As-Suddi said, "He was saying, `indeed I am better than this one, who is despicable'.'' Some of the grammarians of Basrah said that Fir`awn -- may the curse of Allah be upon him -- was saying that he was better than Musa, peace be upon him. But this is an obvious lie, may continued curses be upon him until the Day of Resurrection. By describing Musa as despicable he meant -- as Sufyan said -- insignificant. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "He meant, weak.'' Ibn Jarir said, "He meant, he had no power, authority or wealth.''

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly) means, he cannot speak clearly, he stammers and cannot speak well. Fir`awn's description of Musa as "despicable'' is a lie; rather it is he who was despicable and insignificant, lacking in physical, moral and religious terms, and it is Musa who was noble, truthful, righteous and upright.

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly). This was also a lie. Although something happened to Musa's tongue when he was a child, when it was burnt by a coal. He asked Allah to loosen the knot from his tongue (i.e., to correct his speech defect) so that they could understand what he said, and Allah had answered his prayer and said:

﴿ قَدۡ أُوتِيتَ سُؤۡلَكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ

(You are granted your request, O Musa) (20:36). It may be the case that some problem remained which he had not asked to be relieved of, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri suggested, and that he had asked only to be relieved of that which stood in the way of his conveying the Message. A person cannot be blamed for physical matters over which he has no control. Even though Fir`awn had the intelligence to understand that, he wanted to confuse and mislead his people, who were ignorant and stupid. So he said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him...) meaning, adornments which are placed on the arms. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Qatadah and others.

﴿ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ

(or angels sent along with him) meaning, to serve him and to testify that he is telling the truth. He looked only at outward appearances and did not understand the true inner matters that are clearer than what he focused on, if only he had understood that. Allah says:

﴿ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ

(Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him.) meaning, he confused them and invited them to misguidance, and they responded to him.

﴿ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ

(Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) Then Allah says:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said it means: "When they angered Us means, they provoked Our wrath.'' Ad-Dahhak said, it means "They made Us angry.'' This was also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Qatadah, As-Suddi and other scholars of Tafsir. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِذَا رَأَيْتَ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يُعْطِي الْعَبْدَ مَا يَشَاءُ، وَهُوَ مُقِيمٌ عَلى مَعَاصِيهِ، فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ لَه »

(When you see that Allah gives a person what he wants even though he is persisting in sin, that means that Allah is enticing him into destruction.) Then he recited:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) It was reported that Tariq bin Shihab said, "I was with `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the issue of sudden death was mentioned. He said, `It is a relief for the believer and a source of regret for the disbeliever.' Then he recited the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all). '' `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I found that punishment comes with negligence, meaning the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all).''

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) Abu Mijlaz said, "Precedent for others who do the same as they did.'' He and Mujahid said, "An example, i.e., a lesson to those who come after them.'' Allah is the One Who guides to the straight path, and unto Him is the final return.

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(57. And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) (58. And say: "Are our gods better or is he'' They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.) (59. He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) (60. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) (61. And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path.) (62. And let not Shaytan hinder you. Verily, he (Shaytan) to you is a plain enemy.) (63. And when `Isa came with clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah, and in order to make clear to you some of that in which you differ. Therefore have Taqwa of Allah and obey me.'') (64. "Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.'') (65. But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day!)

62
وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬
And never let Satan avert you. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.
وَلَاAnd (let) not
يَصُدَّنَّكُمُavert you
ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖthe Shaitaan.
إِنَّهُ ۥIndeed, he
لَكُمۡ(is) for you
عَدُوٌّ۬an enemy
مُّبِينٌ۬clear.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Fir`awn's Address to His People and how Allah punished Him

Allah tells us how Fir`awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt.

﴿ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ

(Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me) Qatadah said, "They had gardens and rivers of flowing water.''

﴿ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ

(See you not then) means, `do you not see my position of might and power' -- implying that Musa and his followers were poor and weak. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ فَقَالَ أَنَا۟ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰٓ

(Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, saying: "I am your lord, most high.'' So Allah seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression.) (79:23-25)

﴿ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬

(Am I not better than this one who is despicable) As-Suddi said, "He was saying, `indeed I am better than this one, who is despicable'.'' Some of the grammarians of Basrah said that Fir`awn -- may the curse of Allah be upon him -- was saying that he was better than Musa, peace be upon him. But this is an obvious lie, may continued curses be upon him until the Day of Resurrection. By describing Musa as despicable he meant -- as Sufyan said -- insignificant. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "He meant, weak.'' Ibn Jarir said, "He meant, he had no power, authority or wealth.''

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly) means, he cannot speak clearly, he stammers and cannot speak well. Fir`awn's description of Musa as "despicable'' is a lie; rather it is he who was despicable and insignificant, lacking in physical, moral and religious terms, and it is Musa who was noble, truthful, righteous and upright.

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly). This was also a lie. Although something happened to Musa's tongue when he was a child, when it was burnt by a coal. He asked Allah to loosen the knot from his tongue (i.e., to correct his speech defect) so that they could understand what he said, and Allah had answered his prayer and said:

﴿ قَدۡ أُوتِيتَ سُؤۡلَكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ

(You are granted your request, O Musa) (20:36). It may be the case that some problem remained which he had not asked to be relieved of, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri suggested, and that he had asked only to be relieved of that which stood in the way of his conveying the Message. A person cannot be blamed for physical matters over which he has no control. Even though Fir`awn had the intelligence to understand that, he wanted to confuse and mislead his people, who were ignorant and stupid. So he said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him...) meaning, adornments which are placed on the arms. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Qatadah and others.

﴿ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ

(or angels sent along with him) meaning, to serve him and to testify that he is telling the truth. He looked only at outward appearances and did not understand the true inner matters that are clearer than what he focused on, if only he had understood that. Allah says:

﴿ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ

(Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him.) meaning, he confused them and invited them to misguidance, and they responded to him.

﴿ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ

(Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) Then Allah says:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said it means: "When they angered Us means, they provoked Our wrath.'' Ad-Dahhak said, it means "They made Us angry.'' This was also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Qatadah, As-Suddi and other scholars of Tafsir. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِذَا رَأَيْتَ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يُعْطِي الْعَبْدَ مَا يَشَاءُ، وَهُوَ مُقِيمٌ عَلى مَعَاصِيهِ، فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ لَه »

(When you see that Allah gives a person what he wants even though he is persisting in sin, that means that Allah is enticing him into destruction.) Then he recited:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) It was reported that Tariq bin Shihab said, "I was with `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the issue of sudden death was mentioned. He said, `It is a relief for the believer and a source of regret for the disbeliever.' Then he recited the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all). '' `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I found that punishment comes with negligence, meaning the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all).''

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) Abu Mijlaz said, "Precedent for others who do the same as they did.'' He and Mujahid said, "An example, i.e., a lesson to those who come after them.'' Allah is the One Who guides to the straight path, and unto Him is the final return.

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(57. And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) (58. And say: "Are our gods better or is he'' They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.) (59. He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) (60. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) (61. And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path.) (62. And let not Shaytan hinder you. Verily, he (Shaytan) to you is a plain enemy.) (63. And when `Isa came with clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah, and in order to make clear to you some of that in which you differ. Therefore have Taqwa of Allah and obey me.'') (64. "Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.'') (65. But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day!)

63
وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ فَٱتَّقُواْٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
And when Jesus brought clear proofs, he said, "I have come to you with wisdom and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ, so fear Allah and obey me.
وَلَمَّاAnd when
جَآءَcame
عِيسَىٰIsa
بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِwith clear proofs,
قَالَhe said,
قَدۡ`Verily,
جِئۡتُكُمI have come to you
بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِwith wisdom
وَلِأُبَيِّنَand that I make clear
لَكُمto you
بَعۡضَsome
ٱلَّذِى(of) that which
تَخۡتَلِفُونَyou differ
فِيهِ‌ۖin it.
فَٱتَّقُواْSo fear
ٱللَّهَAllah
وَأَطِيعُونِand obey me.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Fir`awn's Address to His People and how Allah punished Him

Allah tells us how Fir`awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt.

﴿ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ

(Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me) Qatadah said, "They had gardens and rivers of flowing water.''

﴿ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ

(See you not then) means, `do you not see my position of might and power' -- implying that Musa and his followers were poor and weak. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ فَقَالَ أَنَا۟ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰٓ

(Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, saying: "I am your lord, most high.'' So Allah seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression.) (79:23-25)

﴿ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬

(Am I not better than this one who is despicable) As-Suddi said, "He was saying, `indeed I am better than this one, who is despicable'.'' Some of the grammarians of Basrah said that Fir`awn -- may the curse of Allah be upon him -- was saying that he was better than Musa, peace be upon him. But this is an obvious lie, may continued curses be upon him until the Day of Resurrection. By describing Musa as despicable he meant -- as Sufyan said -- insignificant. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "He meant, weak.'' Ibn Jarir said, "He meant, he had no power, authority or wealth.''

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly) means, he cannot speak clearly, he stammers and cannot speak well. Fir`awn's description of Musa as "despicable'' is a lie; rather it is he who was despicable and insignificant, lacking in physical, moral and religious terms, and it is Musa who was noble, truthful, righteous and upright.

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly). This was also a lie. Although something happened to Musa's tongue when he was a child, when it was burnt by a coal. He asked Allah to loosen the knot from his tongue (i.e., to correct his speech defect) so that they could understand what he said, and Allah had answered his prayer and said:

﴿ قَدۡ أُوتِيتَ سُؤۡلَكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ

(You are granted your request, O Musa) (20:36). It may be the case that some problem remained which he had not asked to be relieved of, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri suggested, and that he had asked only to be relieved of that which stood in the way of his conveying the Message. A person cannot be blamed for physical matters over which he has no control. Even though Fir`awn had the intelligence to understand that, he wanted to confuse and mislead his people, who were ignorant and stupid. So he said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him...) meaning, adornments which are placed on the arms. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Qatadah and others.

﴿ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ

(or angels sent along with him) meaning, to serve him and to testify that he is telling the truth. He looked only at outward appearances and did not understand the true inner matters that are clearer than what he focused on, if only he had understood that. Allah says:

﴿ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ

(Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him.) meaning, he confused them and invited them to misguidance, and they responded to him.

﴿ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ

(Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) Then Allah says:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said it means: "When they angered Us means, they provoked Our wrath.'' Ad-Dahhak said, it means "They made Us angry.'' This was also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Qatadah, As-Suddi and other scholars of Tafsir. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِذَا رَأَيْتَ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يُعْطِي الْعَبْدَ مَا يَشَاءُ، وَهُوَ مُقِيمٌ عَلى مَعَاصِيهِ، فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ لَه »

(When you see that Allah gives a person what he wants even though he is persisting in sin, that means that Allah is enticing him into destruction.) Then he recited:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) It was reported that Tariq bin Shihab said, "I was with `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the issue of sudden death was mentioned. He said, `It is a relief for the believer and a source of regret for the disbeliever.' Then he recited the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all). '' `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I found that punishment comes with negligence, meaning the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all).''

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) Abu Mijlaz said, "Precedent for others who do the same as they did.'' He and Mujahid said, "An example, i.e., a lesson to those who come after them.'' Allah is the One Who guides to the straight path, and unto Him is the final return.

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(57. And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) (58. And say: "Are our gods better or is he'' They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.) (59. He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) (60. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) (61. And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path.) (62. And let not Shaytan hinder you. Verily, he (Shaytan) to you is a plain enemy.) (63. And when `Isa came with clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah, and in order to make clear to you some of that in which you differ. Therefore have Taqwa of Allah and obey me.'') (64. "Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.'') (65. But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day!)

64
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬
Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path."
إِنَّIndeed,
ٱللَّهَAllah,
هُوَHe
رَبِّى(is) my Lord
وَرَبُّكُمۡand your Lord,
فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚso worship Him.
هَـٰذَاThis
صِرَٲطٌ۬(is) a Path
مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬Straight.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Fir`awn's Address to His People and how Allah punished Him

Allah tells us how Fir`awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt.

﴿ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ

(Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me) Qatadah said, "They had gardens and rivers of flowing water.''

﴿ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ

(See you not then) means, `do you not see my position of might and power' -- implying that Musa and his followers were poor and weak. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ فَقَالَ أَنَا۟ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰٓ

(Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, saying: "I am your lord, most high.'' So Allah seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression.) (79:23-25)

﴿ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬

(Am I not better than this one who is despicable) As-Suddi said, "He was saying, `indeed I am better than this one, who is despicable'.'' Some of the grammarians of Basrah said that Fir`awn -- may the curse of Allah be upon him -- was saying that he was better than Musa, peace be upon him. But this is an obvious lie, may continued curses be upon him until the Day of Resurrection. By describing Musa as despicable he meant -- as Sufyan said -- insignificant. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "He meant, weak.'' Ibn Jarir said, "He meant, he had no power, authority or wealth.''

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly) means, he cannot speak clearly, he stammers and cannot speak well. Fir`awn's description of Musa as "despicable'' is a lie; rather it is he who was despicable and insignificant, lacking in physical, moral and religious terms, and it is Musa who was noble, truthful, righteous and upright.

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly). This was also a lie. Although something happened to Musa's tongue when he was a child, when it was burnt by a coal. He asked Allah to loosen the knot from his tongue (i.e., to correct his speech defect) so that they could understand what he said, and Allah had answered his prayer and said:

﴿ قَدۡ أُوتِيتَ سُؤۡلَكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ

(You are granted your request, O Musa) (20:36). It may be the case that some problem remained which he had not asked to be relieved of, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri suggested, and that he had asked only to be relieved of that which stood in the way of his conveying the Message. A person cannot be blamed for physical matters over which he has no control. Even though Fir`awn had the intelligence to understand that, he wanted to confuse and mislead his people, who were ignorant and stupid. So he said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him...) meaning, adornments which are placed on the arms. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Qatadah and others.

﴿ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ

(or angels sent along with him) meaning, to serve him and to testify that he is telling the truth. He looked only at outward appearances and did not understand the true inner matters that are clearer than what he focused on, if only he had understood that. Allah says:

﴿ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ

(Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him.) meaning, he confused them and invited them to misguidance, and they responded to him.

﴿ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ

(Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) Then Allah says:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said it means: "When they angered Us means, they provoked Our wrath.'' Ad-Dahhak said, it means "They made Us angry.'' This was also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Qatadah, As-Suddi and other scholars of Tafsir. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِذَا رَأَيْتَ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يُعْطِي الْعَبْدَ مَا يَشَاءُ، وَهُوَ مُقِيمٌ عَلى مَعَاصِيهِ، فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ لَه »

(When you see that Allah gives a person what he wants even though he is persisting in sin, that means that Allah is enticing him into destruction.) Then he recited:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) It was reported that Tariq bin Shihab said, "I was with `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the issue of sudden death was mentioned. He said, `It is a relief for the believer and a source of regret for the disbeliever.' Then he recited the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all). '' `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I found that punishment comes with negligence, meaning the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all).''

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) Abu Mijlaz said, "Precedent for others who do the same as they did.'' He and Mujahid said, "An example, i.e., a lesson to those who come after them.'' Allah is the One Who guides to the straight path, and unto Him is the final return.

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(57. And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) (58. And say: "Are our gods better or is he'' They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.) (59. He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) (60. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) (61. And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path.) (62. And let not Shaytan hinder you. Verily, he (Shaytan) to you is a plain enemy.) (63. And when `Isa came with clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah, and in order to make clear to you some of that in which you differ. Therefore have Taqwa of Allah and obey me.'') (64. "Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.'') (65. But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day!)

65
فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ
But the denominations from among them differed [and separated], so woe to those who have wronged from the punishment of a painful Day.
فَٱخۡتَلَفَBut differed
ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُthe factions
مِنۢfrom
بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖamong them,
فَوَيۡلٌ۬so woe
لِّلَّذِينَto those who
ظَلَمُواْwronged
مِنۡfrom
عَذَابِ(the) punishment
يَوۡمٍ(of the) Day
أَلِيمٍpainful.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Fir`awn's Address to His People and how Allah punished Him

Allah tells us how Fir`awn stubbornly persisted in his rebellion and disbelief. He assembled his people and addressed them in a vainglorious fashion, boasting of his dominion over Egypt.

﴿ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ

(Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me) Qatadah said, "They had gardens and rivers of flowing water.''

﴿ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ

(See you not then) means, `do you not see my position of might and power' -- implying that Musa and his followers were poor and weak. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ فَقَالَ أَنَا۟ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰٓ

(Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, saying: "I am your lord, most high.'' So Allah seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression.) (79:23-25)

﴿ أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬

(Am I not better than this one who is despicable) As-Suddi said, "He was saying, `indeed I am better than this one, who is despicable'.'' Some of the grammarians of Basrah said that Fir`awn -- may the curse of Allah be upon him -- was saying that he was better than Musa, peace be upon him. But this is an obvious lie, may continued curses be upon him until the Day of Resurrection. By describing Musa as despicable he meant -- as Sufyan said -- insignificant. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "He meant, weak.'' Ibn Jarir said, "He meant, he had no power, authority or wealth.''

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly) means, he cannot speak clearly, he stammers and cannot speak well. Fir`awn's description of Musa as "despicable'' is a lie; rather it is he who was despicable and insignificant, lacking in physical, moral and religious terms, and it is Musa who was noble, truthful, righteous and upright.

﴿ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ

(and can scarcely express himself clearly). This was also a lie. Although something happened to Musa's tongue when he was a child, when it was burnt by a coal. He asked Allah to loosen the knot from his tongue (i.e., to correct his speech defect) so that they could understand what he said, and Allah had answered his prayer and said:

﴿ قَدۡ أُوتِيتَ سُؤۡلَكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ

(You are granted your request, O Musa) (20:36). It may be the case that some problem remained which he had not asked to be relieved of, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri suggested, and that he had asked only to be relieved of that which stood in the way of his conveying the Message. A person cannot be blamed for physical matters over which he has no control. Even though Fir`awn had the intelligence to understand that, he wanted to confuse and mislead his people, who were ignorant and stupid. So he said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him...) meaning, adornments which are placed on the arms. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Qatadah and others.

﴿ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ

(or angels sent along with him) meaning, to serve him and to testify that he is telling the truth. He looked only at outward appearances and did not understand the true inner matters that are clearer than what he focused on, if only he had understood that. Allah says:

﴿ فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ

(Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him.) meaning, he confused them and invited them to misguidance, and they responded to him.

﴿ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ

(Verily, they were ever a people who were rebellious.) Then Allah says:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said it means: "When they angered Us means, they provoked Our wrath.'' Ad-Dahhak said, it means "They made Us angry.'' This was also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Qatadah, As-Suddi and other scholars of Tafsir. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Uqbah bin `Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِذَا رَأَيْتَ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يُعْطِي الْعَبْدَ مَا يَشَاءُ، وَهُوَ مُقِيمٌ عَلى مَعَاصِيهِ، فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجٌ مِنْهُ لَه »

(When you see that Allah gives a person what he wants even though he is persisting in sin, that means that Allah is enticing him into destruction.) Then he recited:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.) It was reported that Tariq bin Shihab said, "I was with `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the issue of sudden death was mentioned. He said, `It is a relief for the believer and a source of regret for the disbeliever.' Then he recited the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all). '' `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I found that punishment comes with negligence, meaning the Ayah:

﴿ فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

(So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all).''

﴿ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ سَلَفً۬ا وَمَثَلاً۬ لِّلۡأَخِرِينَ

(And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.) Abu Mijlaz said, "Precedent for others who do the same as they did.'' He and Mujahid said, "An example, i.e., a lesson to those who come after them.'' Allah is the One Who guides to the straight path, and unto Him is the final return.

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(57. And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) (58. And say: "Are our gods better or is he'' They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.) (59. He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) (60. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) (61. And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path.) (62. And let not Shaytan hinder you. Verily, he (Shaytan) to you is a plain enemy.) (63. And when `Isa came with clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah, and in order to make clear to you some of that in which you differ. Therefore have Taqwa of Allah and obey me.'') (64. "Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.'') (65. But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day!)

66
هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
Are they waiting except for the Hour to come upon them suddenly while they perceive not?
هَلۡAre
يَنظُرُونَthey waiting
إِلَّاexcept
ٱلسَّاعَةَ(for) the Hour
أَنthat
تَأۡتِيَهُمit should come on them
بَغۡتَةً۬suddenly
وَهُمۡwhile they
لَا(do) not
يَشۡعُرُونَperceive?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Contempt of the Quraysh for the son of Maryam, and His true Status with Allah

Allah tells us how the Quraysh persisted in their disbelief and stubborn arguments:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) Several others narrated that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Ad-Dahhak said, "They laughed, i.e., they were astounded by that.'' Qatadah said, "They were repelled by that and they laughed.'' Ibrahim An-Nakha`i said, "They turned away.'' The reason for this was mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq in As-Sirah. He said, "According to what I have heard, the Messenger of Allah sat down one day with Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah in the Masjid, and An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came and sat down with them. There were also other men from the Quraysh in the gathering. The Messenger of Allah spoke, then An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came up to him and the Messenger of Allah spoke to him until he defeated him in argument. Then he recited to him and to them,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) Then the Messenger of Allah got up and went to sit with `Abdullah bin Al-Zab`ari At-Tamimi. Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah said to him, `By Allah, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith could not match the son of `Abd Al-Muttalib in argument. Muhammad claims that we and these gods that we worship are fuel for Hell.' `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, `By Allah, if I meet with him I will defeat him in argument. Ask Muhammad whether everyone that is worshipped instead of Allah will be in Hell with those who worshipped him, for we worship the angels, and the Jews worship `Uzayr, and the Christians worship the Messiah `Isa bin Maryam.' Al-Walid and those who were sitting with him were amazed at what `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, and they thought that he had come up with a good point. He said this to the Messenger of Allah , who said:

« كُلُّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَهُوَ مَعَ مَنْ عَبَدَهُ، فَإِنَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُونَ الشَّيْطَانَ وَمَنْ أَمَرَهُمْ بِعِبَادَتِه »

(Everyone who likes to worship something other than Allah will be with the one whom he worshipped, for indeed they are worshipping the Shaytan and whomever told them to worship that person.)'' Then Allah revealed the words:

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتۡ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَنۡہَا مُبۡعَدُونَ

(Verily, those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell)) (21:101), meaning that `Isa, `Uzayr and rabbis and monks who were also worshipped, who spent their lives in devotion towards Allah. The misguided people who came after them took them as lords instead of Allah. Concerning the notion of worshipping the angels as daughters of Allah, the following words were revealed:

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ

(And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten a son (or children).'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (21:26) Concerning `Isa bin Maryam, the fact that he is worshipped instead of Allah, and to the amazement of Al-Walid and the others who were present at the argument, the following was revealed:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) meaning, they take this argument as a basis for rejecting your message. Then Allah mentions `Isa bin Maryam and says:

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth. And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for the Hour.) meaning, the miracles and signs that happened at his hands, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, are sufficient as signs of the approach of the Hour.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path).'' Ibn Jarir mentioned that Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) commented on the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) "This means the Quraysh, when it was said to them:

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) The Quraysh said to him: `What about `Isa bin Maryam' He said:

« ذَاكَ عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُه »

(He is the servant and Messenger of Allah.) They said, `By Allah, he means that we should take him as a lord just as the Christians took `Isa son of Maryam as a lord.' Then Allah said:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).''

﴿ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ

(And say: "Are our gods better or is he''). Qatadah said, "They were saying, `our gods are better than him'.'' Qatadah said; "Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it (أَآلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هذَا) (Are our gods better or is this (person))'' they mean Muhammad.

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument.) means, for the sake of stubborn argument, for they knew that he (`Isa ) was not included in the Ayah (21:98), because that would not make sense. The words,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell!) (21:98) are addressed to the Quraysh, for they used to worship idols and false gods -- they did not worship the Messiah so why should he be included in what the Ayah says What they said was only for the sake of argument; they did not really believe in it. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« مَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ، إِلَّا أُوْرِثُوا الْجَدَل »

(No people go astray after having been guided, but they resort to (futile) argument.) Then the Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).'' It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Jarir. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih, we do not know it except from the Hadith of Hajjaj bin Dinar...''

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ

(He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him,) means, `Isa, peace be upon him; he was no more than one of the servants of Allah whom Allah blessed with prophethood and messengership.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ

(and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) means, `a sign, proof and evidence of Our power to do whatever We will.'

﴿ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ

(And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) As-Suddi said, "They would have taken your place on (the earth). '' Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and Qatadah said, "They would have succeeded one another just as you succeed one another.'' This view is implied by the former view. Mujahid said, "They would have populated the earth instead of you.'' Allah's saying:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) The correct view concerning this phrase is that it refers to his descent before the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says:

﴿ وَإِن مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤۡمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ مَوۡتِهِۦ‌ۖ

(And there is none of the People of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death) (4:159). -- meaning before the death of `Isa, peace be upon him --

﴿ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ شَہِيدً۬ا

And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them (4:159). This meaning has the support from an alternate recitation of the Ayat (وَإِنَّهُ لَعَلَمٌ لِلسَّاعَةِ) (And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, evidence that the Hour will surely come. Mujahid said:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, sign and "One of the signs of the Hour will be the appearance of `Isa son of Maryam before the Day of Resurrection. '' Something similar was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Abbas, `Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. Many Mutawatir Hadiths report that the Messenger of Allah said that `Isa will descend before the Day of Resurrection as a just ruler and fair judge.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it.) means, do not doubt that it will surely come to pass.

﴿ وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ

(And follow Me.) means, `in what I tell you about it.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ

(This is the straight path. And let not Shaytan hinder you.) means, from following the truth.

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ

(Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy. And when `Isa came with (Our) clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah...''), meaning prophethood:

﴿ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ

(and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ.) Ibn Jarir said, "This means religious matters, not worldly matters.'' What he said is good.

﴿ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ

(Therefore have Taqwa of Allah) means, `with regard to what I command you to do.'

﴿ وَأَطِيعُونِ

(and obey me.) means, `in what I bring to you.'

﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.) means, `you and I are enslaved to Him, in need of Him and we commonly share in the worship of Him Alone, associating none with Him.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(This is the straight path) means, `what I have brought to you is the straight path, which is the worship of the Lord, may He exalted, Alone.'

﴿ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ

(But the sects from among themselves differed.) means, they differed and became parties and factions, some who stated that he (`Isa) was the servant and Messenger of Allah -- which is true - while others claimed that he was the son of Allah or that he himself was Allah -- glorified be Allah far above what they say. Allah says:

﴿ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day)!

﴿ هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(66. Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not) (67. Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwa.) (68. My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,) (69. (You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) (70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.) (71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that their souls desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.) (72. This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) (73. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).)

67
ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ
Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous
ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُFriends
يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭthat Day,
بَعۡضُهُمۡsome of them
لِبَعۡضٍto others
عَدُوٌّ(will be) enemies
إِلَّاexcept
ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَthe righteous,
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Contempt of the Quraysh for the son of Maryam, and His true Status with Allah

Allah tells us how the Quraysh persisted in their disbelief and stubborn arguments:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) Several others narrated that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Ad-Dahhak said, "They laughed, i.e., they were astounded by that.'' Qatadah said, "They were repelled by that and they laughed.'' Ibrahim An-Nakha`i said, "They turned away.'' The reason for this was mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq in As-Sirah. He said, "According to what I have heard, the Messenger of Allah sat down one day with Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah in the Masjid, and An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came and sat down with them. There were also other men from the Quraysh in the gathering. The Messenger of Allah spoke, then An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came up to him and the Messenger of Allah spoke to him until he defeated him in argument. Then he recited to him and to them,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) Then the Messenger of Allah got up and went to sit with `Abdullah bin Al-Zab`ari At-Tamimi. Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah said to him, `By Allah, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith could not match the son of `Abd Al-Muttalib in argument. Muhammad claims that we and these gods that we worship are fuel for Hell.' `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, `By Allah, if I meet with him I will defeat him in argument. Ask Muhammad whether everyone that is worshipped instead of Allah will be in Hell with those who worshipped him, for we worship the angels, and the Jews worship `Uzayr, and the Christians worship the Messiah `Isa bin Maryam.' Al-Walid and those who were sitting with him were amazed at what `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, and they thought that he had come up with a good point. He said this to the Messenger of Allah , who said:

« كُلُّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَهُوَ مَعَ مَنْ عَبَدَهُ، فَإِنَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُونَ الشَّيْطَانَ وَمَنْ أَمَرَهُمْ بِعِبَادَتِه »

(Everyone who likes to worship something other than Allah will be with the one whom he worshipped, for indeed they are worshipping the Shaytan and whomever told them to worship that person.)'' Then Allah revealed the words:

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتۡ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَنۡہَا مُبۡعَدُونَ

(Verily, those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell)) (21:101), meaning that `Isa, `Uzayr and rabbis and monks who were also worshipped, who spent their lives in devotion towards Allah. The misguided people who came after them took them as lords instead of Allah. Concerning the notion of worshipping the angels as daughters of Allah, the following words were revealed:

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ

(And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten a son (or children).'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (21:26) Concerning `Isa bin Maryam, the fact that he is worshipped instead of Allah, and to the amazement of Al-Walid and the others who were present at the argument, the following was revealed:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) meaning, they take this argument as a basis for rejecting your message. Then Allah mentions `Isa bin Maryam and says:

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth. And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for the Hour.) meaning, the miracles and signs that happened at his hands, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, are sufficient as signs of the approach of the Hour.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path).'' Ibn Jarir mentioned that Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) commented on the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) "This means the Quraysh, when it was said to them:

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) The Quraysh said to him: `What about `Isa bin Maryam' He said:

« ذَاكَ عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُه »

(He is the servant and Messenger of Allah.) They said, `By Allah, he means that we should take him as a lord just as the Christians took `Isa son of Maryam as a lord.' Then Allah said:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).''

﴿ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ

(And say: "Are our gods better or is he''). Qatadah said, "They were saying, `our gods are better than him'.'' Qatadah said; "Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it (أَآلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هذَا) (Are our gods better or is this (person))'' they mean Muhammad.

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument.) means, for the sake of stubborn argument, for they knew that he (`Isa ) was not included in the Ayah (21:98), because that would not make sense. The words,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell!) (21:98) are addressed to the Quraysh, for they used to worship idols and false gods -- they did not worship the Messiah so why should he be included in what the Ayah says What they said was only for the sake of argument; they did not really believe in it. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« مَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ، إِلَّا أُوْرِثُوا الْجَدَل »

(No people go astray after having been guided, but they resort to (futile) argument.) Then the Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).'' It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Jarir. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih, we do not know it except from the Hadith of Hajjaj bin Dinar...''

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ

(He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him,) means, `Isa, peace be upon him; he was no more than one of the servants of Allah whom Allah blessed with prophethood and messengership.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ

(and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) means, `a sign, proof and evidence of Our power to do whatever We will.'

﴿ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ

(And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) As-Suddi said, "They would have taken your place on (the earth). '' Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and Qatadah said, "They would have succeeded one another just as you succeed one another.'' This view is implied by the former view. Mujahid said, "They would have populated the earth instead of you.'' Allah's saying:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) The correct view concerning this phrase is that it refers to his descent before the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says:

﴿ وَإِن مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤۡمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ مَوۡتِهِۦ‌ۖ

(And there is none of the People of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death) (4:159). -- meaning before the death of `Isa, peace be upon him --

﴿ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ شَہِيدً۬ا

And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them (4:159). This meaning has the support from an alternate recitation of the Ayat (وَإِنَّهُ لَعَلَمٌ لِلسَّاعَةِ) (And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, evidence that the Hour will surely come. Mujahid said:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, sign and "One of the signs of the Hour will be the appearance of `Isa son of Maryam before the Day of Resurrection. '' Something similar was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Abbas, `Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. Many Mutawatir Hadiths report that the Messenger of Allah said that `Isa will descend before the Day of Resurrection as a just ruler and fair judge.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it.) means, do not doubt that it will surely come to pass.

﴿ وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ

(And follow Me.) means, `in what I tell you about it.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ

(This is the straight path. And let not Shaytan hinder you.) means, from following the truth.

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ

(Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy. And when `Isa came with (Our) clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah...''), meaning prophethood:

﴿ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ

(and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ.) Ibn Jarir said, "This means religious matters, not worldly matters.'' What he said is good.

﴿ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ

(Therefore have Taqwa of Allah) means, `with regard to what I command you to do.'

﴿ وَأَطِيعُونِ

(and obey me.) means, `in what I bring to you.'

﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.) means, `you and I are enslaved to Him, in need of Him and we commonly share in the worship of Him Alone, associating none with Him.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(This is the straight path) means, `what I have brought to you is the straight path, which is the worship of the Lord, may He exalted, Alone.'

﴿ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ

(But the sects from among themselves differed.) means, they differed and became parties and factions, some who stated that he (`Isa) was the servant and Messenger of Allah -- which is true - while others claimed that he was the son of Allah or that he himself was Allah -- glorified be Allah far above what they say. Allah says:

﴿ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day)!

﴿ هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(66. Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not) (67. Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwa.) (68. My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,) (69. (You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) (70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.) (71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that their souls desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.) (72. This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) (73. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).)

68
يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ
[To whom Allah will say], "O My servants, no fear will there be concerning you this Day, nor will you grieve,
يَـٰعِبَادِ`O My slaves!
لَاNo
خَوۡفٌfear
عَلَيۡكُمُon you
ٱلۡيَوۡمَthis Day
وَلَآand not
أَنتُمۡyou
تَحۡزَنُونَwill grieve,
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Contempt of the Quraysh for the son of Maryam, and His true Status with Allah

Allah tells us how the Quraysh persisted in their disbelief and stubborn arguments:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) Several others narrated that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Ad-Dahhak said, "They laughed, i.e., they were astounded by that.'' Qatadah said, "They were repelled by that and they laughed.'' Ibrahim An-Nakha`i said, "They turned away.'' The reason for this was mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq in As-Sirah. He said, "According to what I have heard, the Messenger of Allah sat down one day with Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah in the Masjid, and An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came and sat down with them. There were also other men from the Quraysh in the gathering. The Messenger of Allah spoke, then An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came up to him and the Messenger of Allah spoke to him until he defeated him in argument. Then he recited to him and to them,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) Then the Messenger of Allah got up and went to sit with `Abdullah bin Al-Zab`ari At-Tamimi. Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah said to him, `By Allah, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith could not match the son of `Abd Al-Muttalib in argument. Muhammad claims that we and these gods that we worship are fuel for Hell.' `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, `By Allah, if I meet with him I will defeat him in argument. Ask Muhammad whether everyone that is worshipped instead of Allah will be in Hell with those who worshipped him, for we worship the angels, and the Jews worship `Uzayr, and the Christians worship the Messiah `Isa bin Maryam.' Al-Walid and those who were sitting with him were amazed at what `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, and they thought that he had come up with a good point. He said this to the Messenger of Allah , who said:

« كُلُّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَهُوَ مَعَ مَنْ عَبَدَهُ، فَإِنَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُونَ الشَّيْطَانَ وَمَنْ أَمَرَهُمْ بِعِبَادَتِه »

(Everyone who likes to worship something other than Allah will be with the one whom he worshipped, for indeed they are worshipping the Shaytan and whomever told them to worship that person.)'' Then Allah revealed the words:

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتۡ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَنۡہَا مُبۡعَدُونَ

(Verily, those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell)) (21:101), meaning that `Isa, `Uzayr and rabbis and monks who were also worshipped, who spent their lives in devotion towards Allah. The misguided people who came after them took them as lords instead of Allah. Concerning the notion of worshipping the angels as daughters of Allah, the following words were revealed:

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ

(And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten a son (or children).'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (21:26) Concerning `Isa bin Maryam, the fact that he is worshipped instead of Allah, and to the amazement of Al-Walid and the others who were present at the argument, the following was revealed:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) meaning, they take this argument as a basis for rejecting your message. Then Allah mentions `Isa bin Maryam and says:

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth. And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for the Hour.) meaning, the miracles and signs that happened at his hands, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, are sufficient as signs of the approach of the Hour.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path).'' Ibn Jarir mentioned that Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) commented on the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) "This means the Quraysh, when it was said to them:

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) The Quraysh said to him: `What about `Isa bin Maryam' He said:

« ذَاكَ عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُه »

(He is the servant and Messenger of Allah.) They said, `By Allah, he means that we should take him as a lord just as the Christians took `Isa son of Maryam as a lord.' Then Allah said:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).''

﴿ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ

(And say: "Are our gods better or is he''). Qatadah said, "They were saying, `our gods are better than him'.'' Qatadah said; "Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it (أَآلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هذَا) (Are our gods better or is this (person))'' they mean Muhammad.

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument.) means, for the sake of stubborn argument, for they knew that he (`Isa ) was not included in the Ayah (21:98), because that would not make sense. The words,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell!) (21:98) are addressed to the Quraysh, for they used to worship idols and false gods -- they did not worship the Messiah so why should he be included in what the Ayah says What they said was only for the sake of argument; they did not really believe in it. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« مَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ، إِلَّا أُوْرِثُوا الْجَدَل »

(No people go astray after having been guided, but they resort to (futile) argument.) Then the Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).'' It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Jarir. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih, we do not know it except from the Hadith of Hajjaj bin Dinar...''

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ

(He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him,) means, `Isa, peace be upon him; he was no more than one of the servants of Allah whom Allah blessed with prophethood and messengership.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ

(and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) means, `a sign, proof and evidence of Our power to do whatever We will.'

﴿ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ

(And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) As-Suddi said, "They would have taken your place on (the earth). '' Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and Qatadah said, "They would have succeeded one another just as you succeed one another.'' This view is implied by the former view. Mujahid said, "They would have populated the earth instead of you.'' Allah's saying:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) The correct view concerning this phrase is that it refers to his descent before the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says:

﴿ وَإِن مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤۡمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ مَوۡتِهِۦ‌ۖ

(And there is none of the People of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death) (4:159). -- meaning before the death of `Isa, peace be upon him --

﴿ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ شَہِيدً۬ا

And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them (4:159). This meaning has the support from an alternate recitation of the Ayat (وَإِنَّهُ لَعَلَمٌ لِلسَّاعَةِ) (And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, evidence that the Hour will surely come. Mujahid said:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, sign and "One of the signs of the Hour will be the appearance of `Isa son of Maryam before the Day of Resurrection. '' Something similar was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Abbas, `Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. Many Mutawatir Hadiths report that the Messenger of Allah said that `Isa will descend before the Day of Resurrection as a just ruler and fair judge.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it.) means, do not doubt that it will surely come to pass.

﴿ وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ

(And follow Me.) means, `in what I tell you about it.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ

(This is the straight path. And let not Shaytan hinder you.) means, from following the truth.

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ

(Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy. And when `Isa came with (Our) clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah...''), meaning prophethood:

﴿ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ

(and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ.) Ibn Jarir said, "This means religious matters, not worldly matters.'' What he said is good.

﴿ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ

(Therefore have Taqwa of Allah) means, `with regard to what I command you to do.'

﴿ وَأَطِيعُونِ

(and obey me.) means, `in what I bring to you.'

﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.) means, `you and I are enslaved to Him, in need of Him and we commonly share in the worship of Him Alone, associating none with Him.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(This is the straight path) means, `what I have brought to you is the straight path, which is the worship of the Lord, may He exalted, Alone.'

﴿ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ

(But the sects from among themselves differed.) means, they differed and became parties and factions, some who stated that he (`Isa) was the servant and Messenger of Allah -- which is true - while others claimed that he was the son of Allah or that he himself was Allah -- glorified be Allah far above what they say. Allah says:

﴿ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day)!

﴿ هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(66. Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not) (67. Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwa.) (68. My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,) (69. (You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) (70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.) (71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that their souls desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.) (72. This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) (73. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).)

69
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ
[You] who believed in Our verses and were Muslims.
ٱلَّذِينَThose who
ءَامَنُواْbelieved
بِـَٔـايَـٰتِنَاin Our Verses
وَڪَانُواْand were
مُسۡلِمِينَsubmissive.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Contempt of the Quraysh for the son of Maryam, and His true Status with Allah

Allah tells us how the Quraysh persisted in their disbelief and stubborn arguments:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) Several others narrated that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Ad-Dahhak said, "They laughed, i.e., they were astounded by that.'' Qatadah said, "They were repelled by that and they laughed.'' Ibrahim An-Nakha`i said, "They turned away.'' The reason for this was mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq in As-Sirah. He said, "According to what I have heard, the Messenger of Allah sat down one day with Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah in the Masjid, and An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came and sat down with them. There were also other men from the Quraysh in the gathering. The Messenger of Allah spoke, then An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came up to him and the Messenger of Allah spoke to him until he defeated him in argument. Then he recited to him and to them,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) Then the Messenger of Allah got up and went to sit with `Abdullah bin Al-Zab`ari At-Tamimi. Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah said to him, `By Allah, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith could not match the son of `Abd Al-Muttalib in argument. Muhammad claims that we and these gods that we worship are fuel for Hell.' `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, `By Allah, if I meet with him I will defeat him in argument. Ask Muhammad whether everyone that is worshipped instead of Allah will be in Hell with those who worshipped him, for we worship the angels, and the Jews worship `Uzayr, and the Christians worship the Messiah `Isa bin Maryam.' Al-Walid and those who were sitting with him were amazed at what `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, and they thought that he had come up with a good point. He said this to the Messenger of Allah , who said:

« كُلُّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَهُوَ مَعَ مَنْ عَبَدَهُ، فَإِنَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُونَ الشَّيْطَانَ وَمَنْ أَمَرَهُمْ بِعِبَادَتِه »

(Everyone who likes to worship something other than Allah will be with the one whom he worshipped, for indeed they are worshipping the Shaytan and whomever told them to worship that person.)'' Then Allah revealed the words:

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتۡ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَنۡہَا مُبۡعَدُونَ

(Verily, those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell)) (21:101), meaning that `Isa, `Uzayr and rabbis and monks who were also worshipped, who spent their lives in devotion towards Allah. The misguided people who came after them took them as lords instead of Allah. Concerning the notion of worshipping the angels as daughters of Allah, the following words were revealed:

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ

(And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten a son (or children).'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (21:26) Concerning `Isa bin Maryam, the fact that he is worshipped instead of Allah, and to the amazement of Al-Walid and the others who were present at the argument, the following was revealed:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) meaning, they take this argument as a basis for rejecting your message. Then Allah mentions `Isa bin Maryam and says:

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth. And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for the Hour.) meaning, the miracles and signs that happened at his hands, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, are sufficient as signs of the approach of the Hour.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path).'' Ibn Jarir mentioned that Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) commented on the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) "This means the Quraysh, when it was said to them:

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) The Quraysh said to him: `What about `Isa bin Maryam' He said:

« ذَاكَ عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُه »

(He is the servant and Messenger of Allah.) They said, `By Allah, he means that we should take him as a lord just as the Christians took `Isa son of Maryam as a lord.' Then Allah said:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).''

﴿ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ

(And say: "Are our gods better or is he''). Qatadah said, "They were saying, `our gods are better than him'.'' Qatadah said; "Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it (أَآلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هذَا) (Are our gods better or is this (person))'' they mean Muhammad.

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument.) means, for the sake of stubborn argument, for they knew that he (`Isa ) was not included in the Ayah (21:98), because that would not make sense. The words,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell!) (21:98) are addressed to the Quraysh, for they used to worship idols and false gods -- they did not worship the Messiah so why should he be included in what the Ayah says What they said was only for the sake of argument; they did not really believe in it. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« مَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ، إِلَّا أُوْرِثُوا الْجَدَل »

(No people go astray after having been guided, but they resort to (futile) argument.) Then the Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).'' It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Jarir. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih, we do not know it except from the Hadith of Hajjaj bin Dinar...''

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ

(He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him,) means, `Isa, peace be upon him; he was no more than one of the servants of Allah whom Allah blessed with prophethood and messengership.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ

(and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) means, `a sign, proof and evidence of Our power to do whatever We will.'

﴿ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ

(And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) As-Suddi said, "They would have taken your place on (the earth). '' Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and Qatadah said, "They would have succeeded one another just as you succeed one another.'' This view is implied by the former view. Mujahid said, "They would have populated the earth instead of you.'' Allah's saying:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) The correct view concerning this phrase is that it refers to his descent before the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says:

﴿ وَإِن مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤۡمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ مَوۡتِهِۦ‌ۖ

(And there is none of the People of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death) (4:159). -- meaning before the death of `Isa, peace be upon him --

﴿ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ شَہِيدً۬ا

And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them (4:159). This meaning has the support from an alternate recitation of the Ayat (وَإِنَّهُ لَعَلَمٌ لِلسَّاعَةِ) (And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, evidence that the Hour will surely come. Mujahid said:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, sign and "One of the signs of the Hour will be the appearance of `Isa son of Maryam before the Day of Resurrection. '' Something similar was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Abbas, `Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. Many Mutawatir Hadiths report that the Messenger of Allah said that `Isa will descend before the Day of Resurrection as a just ruler and fair judge.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it.) means, do not doubt that it will surely come to pass.

﴿ وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ

(And follow Me.) means, `in what I tell you about it.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ

(This is the straight path. And let not Shaytan hinder you.) means, from following the truth.

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ

(Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy. And when `Isa came with (Our) clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah...''), meaning prophethood:

﴿ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ

(and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ.) Ibn Jarir said, "This means religious matters, not worldly matters.'' What he said is good.

﴿ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ

(Therefore have Taqwa of Allah) means, `with regard to what I command you to do.'

﴿ وَأَطِيعُونِ

(and obey me.) means, `in what I bring to you.'

﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.) means, `you and I are enslaved to Him, in need of Him and we commonly share in the worship of Him Alone, associating none with Him.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(This is the straight path) means, `what I have brought to you is the straight path, which is the worship of the Lord, may He exalted, Alone.'

﴿ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ

(But the sects from among themselves differed.) means, they differed and became parties and factions, some who stated that he (`Isa) was the servant and Messenger of Allah -- which is true - while others claimed that he was the son of Allah or that he himself was Allah -- glorified be Allah far above what they say. Allah says:

﴿ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day)!

﴿ هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(66. Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not) (67. Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwa.) (68. My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,) (69. (You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) (70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.) (71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that their souls desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.) (72. This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) (73. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).)

70
ٱدۡخُلُواْٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَ
Enter Paradise, you and your kinds, delighted."
ٱدۡخُلُواْEnter
ٱلۡجَنَّةَParadise,
أَنتُمۡyou
وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡand your spouses
تُحۡبَرُونَdelighted.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Contempt of the Quraysh for the son of Maryam, and His true Status with Allah

Allah tells us how the Quraysh persisted in their disbelief and stubborn arguments:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) Several others narrated that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Ad-Dahhak said, "They laughed, i.e., they were astounded by that.'' Qatadah said, "They were repelled by that and they laughed.'' Ibrahim An-Nakha`i said, "They turned away.'' The reason for this was mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq in As-Sirah. He said, "According to what I have heard, the Messenger of Allah sat down one day with Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah in the Masjid, and An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came and sat down with them. There were also other men from the Quraysh in the gathering. The Messenger of Allah spoke, then An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came up to him and the Messenger of Allah spoke to him until he defeated him in argument. Then he recited to him and to them,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) Then the Messenger of Allah got up and went to sit with `Abdullah bin Al-Zab`ari At-Tamimi. Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah said to him, `By Allah, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith could not match the son of `Abd Al-Muttalib in argument. Muhammad claims that we and these gods that we worship are fuel for Hell.' `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, `By Allah, if I meet with him I will defeat him in argument. Ask Muhammad whether everyone that is worshipped instead of Allah will be in Hell with those who worshipped him, for we worship the angels, and the Jews worship `Uzayr, and the Christians worship the Messiah `Isa bin Maryam.' Al-Walid and those who were sitting with him were amazed at what `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, and they thought that he had come up with a good point. He said this to the Messenger of Allah , who said:

« كُلُّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَهُوَ مَعَ مَنْ عَبَدَهُ، فَإِنَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُونَ الشَّيْطَانَ وَمَنْ أَمَرَهُمْ بِعِبَادَتِه »

(Everyone who likes to worship something other than Allah will be with the one whom he worshipped, for indeed they are worshipping the Shaytan and whomever told them to worship that person.)'' Then Allah revealed the words:

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتۡ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَنۡہَا مُبۡعَدُونَ

(Verily, those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell)) (21:101), meaning that `Isa, `Uzayr and rabbis and monks who were also worshipped, who spent their lives in devotion towards Allah. The misguided people who came after them took them as lords instead of Allah. Concerning the notion of worshipping the angels as daughters of Allah, the following words were revealed:

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ

(And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten a son (or children).'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (21:26) Concerning `Isa bin Maryam, the fact that he is worshipped instead of Allah, and to the amazement of Al-Walid and the others who were present at the argument, the following was revealed:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) meaning, they take this argument as a basis for rejecting your message. Then Allah mentions `Isa bin Maryam and says:

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth. And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for the Hour.) meaning, the miracles and signs that happened at his hands, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, are sufficient as signs of the approach of the Hour.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path).'' Ibn Jarir mentioned that Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) commented on the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) "This means the Quraysh, when it was said to them:

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) The Quraysh said to him: `What about `Isa bin Maryam' He said:

« ذَاكَ عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُه »

(He is the servant and Messenger of Allah.) They said, `By Allah, he means that we should take him as a lord just as the Christians took `Isa son of Maryam as a lord.' Then Allah said:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).''

﴿ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ

(And say: "Are our gods better or is he''). Qatadah said, "They were saying, `our gods are better than him'.'' Qatadah said; "Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it (أَآلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هذَا) (Are our gods better or is this (person))'' they mean Muhammad.

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument.) means, for the sake of stubborn argument, for they knew that he (`Isa ) was not included in the Ayah (21:98), because that would not make sense. The words,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell!) (21:98) are addressed to the Quraysh, for they used to worship idols and false gods -- they did not worship the Messiah so why should he be included in what the Ayah says What they said was only for the sake of argument; they did not really believe in it. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« مَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ، إِلَّا أُوْرِثُوا الْجَدَل »

(No people go astray after having been guided, but they resort to (futile) argument.) Then the Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).'' It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Jarir. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih, we do not know it except from the Hadith of Hajjaj bin Dinar...''

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ

(He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him,) means, `Isa, peace be upon him; he was no more than one of the servants of Allah whom Allah blessed with prophethood and messengership.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ

(and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) means, `a sign, proof and evidence of Our power to do whatever We will.'

﴿ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ

(And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) As-Suddi said, "They would have taken your place on (the earth). '' Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and Qatadah said, "They would have succeeded one another just as you succeed one another.'' This view is implied by the former view. Mujahid said, "They would have populated the earth instead of you.'' Allah's saying:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) The correct view concerning this phrase is that it refers to his descent before the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says:

﴿ وَإِن مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤۡمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ مَوۡتِهِۦ‌ۖ

(And there is none of the People of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death) (4:159). -- meaning before the death of `Isa, peace be upon him --

﴿ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ شَہِيدً۬ا

And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them (4:159). This meaning has the support from an alternate recitation of the Ayat (وَإِنَّهُ لَعَلَمٌ لِلسَّاعَةِ) (And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, evidence that the Hour will surely come. Mujahid said:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, sign and "One of the signs of the Hour will be the appearance of `Isa son of Maryam before the Day of Resurrection. '' Something similar was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Abbas, `Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. Many Mutawatir Hadiths report that the Messenger of Allah said that `Isa will descend before the Day of Resurrection as a just ruler and fair judge.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it.) means, do not doubt that it will surely come to pass.

﴿ وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ

(And follow Me.) means, `in what I tell you about it.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ

(This is the straight path. And let not Shaytan hinder you.) means, from following the truth.

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ

(Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy. And when `Isa came with (Our) clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah...''), meaning prophethood:

﴿ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ

(and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ.) Ibn Jarir said, "This means religious matters, not worldly matters.'' What he said is good.

﴿ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ

(Therefore have Taqwa of Allah) means, `with regard to what I command you to do.'

﴿ وَأَطِيعُونِ

(and obey me.) means, `in what I bring to you.'

﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.) means, `you and I are enslaved to Him, in need of Him and we commonly share in the worship of Him Alone, associating none with Him.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(This is the straight path) means, `what I have brought to you is the straight path, which is the worship of the Lord, may He exalted, Alone.'

﴿ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ

(But the sects from among themselves differed.) means, they differed and became parties and factions, some who stated that he (`Isa) was the servant and Messenger of Allah -- which is true - while others claimed that he was the son of Allah or that he himself was Allah -- glorified be Allah far above what they say. Allah says:

﴿ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day)!

﴿ هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(66. Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not) (67. Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwa.) (68. My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,) (69. (You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) (70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.) (71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that their souls desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.) (72. This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) (73. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).)

71
يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
Circulated among them will be plates and vessels of gold. And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.
يُطَافُWill be circulated
عَلَيۡہِمfor them
بِصِحَافٍ۬plates
مِّنof
ذَهَبٍ۬gold
وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖand cups.
وَفِيهَاAnd therein
مَا(is) what
تَشۡتَهِيهِdesires
ٱلۡأَنفُسُthe souls
وَتَلَذُّand delights
ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖthe eyes,
وَأَنتُمۡand you
فِيهَاtherein
خَـٰلِدُونَwill abide forever.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Contempt of the Quraysh for the son of Maryam, and His true Status with Allah

Allah tells us how the Quraysh persisted in their disbelief and stubborn arguments:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) Several others narrated that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Ad-Dahhak said, "They laughed, i.e., they were astounded by that.'' Qatadah said, "They were repelled by that and they laughed.'' Ibrahim An-Nakha`i said, "They turned away.'' The reason for this was mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq in As-Sirah. He said, "According to what I have heard, the Messenger of Allah sat down one day with Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah in the Masjid, and An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came and sat down with them. There were also other men from the Quraysh in the gathering. The Messenger of Allah spoke, then An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came up to him and the Messenger of Allah spoke to him until he defeated him in argument. Then he recited to him and to them,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) Then the Messenger of Allah got up and went to sit with `Abdullah bin Al-Zab`ari At-Tamimi. Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah said to him, `By Allah, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith could not match the son of `Abd Al-Muttalib in argument. Muhammad claims that we and these gods that we worship are fuel for Hell.' `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, `By Allah, if I meet with him I will defeat him in argument. Ask Muhammad whether everyone that is worshipped instead of Allah will be in Hell with those who worshipped him, for we worship the angels, and the Jews worship `Uzayr, and the Christians worship the Messiah `Isa bin Maryam.' Al-Walid and those who were sitting with him were amazed at what `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, and they thought that he had come up with a good point. He said this to the Messenger of Allah , who said:

« كُلُّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَهُوَ مَعَ مَنْ عَبَدَهُ، فَإِنَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُونَ الشَّيْطَانَ وَمَنْ أَمَرَهُمْ بِعِبَادَتِه »

(Everyone who likes to worship something other than Allah will be with the one whom he worshipped, for indeed they are worshipping the Shaytan and whomever told them to worship that person.)'' Then Allah revealed the words:

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتۡ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَنۡہَا مُبۡعَدُونَ

(Verily, those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell)) (21:101), meaning that `Isa, `Uzayr and rabbis and monks who were also worshipped, who spent their lives in devotion towards Allah. The misguided people who came after them took them as lords instead of Allah. Concerning the notion of worshipping the angels as daughters of Allah, the following words were revealed:

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ

(And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten a son (or children).'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (21:26) Concerning `Isa bin Maryam, the fact that he is worshipped instead of Allah, and to the amazement of Al-Walid and the others who were present at the argument, the following was revealed:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) meaning, they take this argument as a basis for rejecting your message. Then Allah mentions `Isa bin Maryam and says:

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth. And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for the Hour.) meaning, the miracles and signs that happened at his hands, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, are sufficient as signs of the approach of the Hour.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path).'' Ibn Jarir mentioned that Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) commented on the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) "This means the Quraysh, when it was said to them:

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) The Quraysh said to him: `What about `Isa bin Maryam' He said:

« ذَاكَ عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُه »

(He is the servant and Messenger of Allah.) They said, `By Allah, he means that we should take him as a lord just as the Christians took `Isa son of Maryam as a lord.' Then Allah said:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).''

﴿ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ

(And say: "Are our gods better or is he''). Qatadah said, "They were saying, `our gods are better than him'.'' Qatadah said; "Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it (أَآلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هذَا) (Are our gods better or is this (person))'' they mean Muhammad.

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument.) means, for the sake of stubborn argument, for they knew that he (`Isa ) was not included in the Ayah (21:98), because that would not make sense. The words,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell!) (21:98) are addressed to the Quraysh, for they used to worship idols and false gods -- they did not worship the Messiah so why should he be included in what the Ayah says What they said was only for the sake of argument; they did not really believe in it. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« مَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ، إِلَّا أُوْرِثُوا الْجَدَل »

(No people go astray after having been guided, but they resort to (futile) argument.) Then the Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).'' It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Jarir. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih, we do not know it except from the Hadith of Hajjaj bin Dinar...''

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ

(He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him,) means, `Isa, peace be upon him; he was no more than one of the servants of Allah whom Allah blessed with prophethood and messengership.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ

(and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) means, `a sign, proof and evidence of Our power to do whatever We will.'

﴿ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ

(And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) As-Suddi said, "They would have taken your place on (the earth). '' Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and Qatadah said, "They would have succeeded one another just as you succeed one another.'' This view is implied by the former view. Mujahid said, "They would have populated the earth instead of you.'' Allah's saying:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) The correct view concerning this phrase is that it refers to his descent before the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says:

﴿ وَإِن مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤۡمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ مَوۡتِهِۦ‌ۖ

(And there is none of the People of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death) (4:159). -- meaning before the death of `Isa, peace be upon him --

﴿ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ شَہِيدً۬ا

And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them (4:159). This meaning has the support from an alternate recitation of the Ayat (وَإِنَّهُ لَعَلَمٌ لِلسَّاعَةِ) (And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, evidence that the Hour will surely come. Mujahid said:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, sign and "One of the signs of the Hour will be the appearance of `Isa son of Maryam before the Day of Resurrection. '' Something similar was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Abbas, `Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. Many Mutawatir Hadiths report that the Messenger of Allah said that `Isa will descend before the Day of Resurrection as a just ruler and fair judge.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it.) means, do not doubt that it will surely come to pass.

﴿ وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ

(And follow Me.) means, `in what I tell you about it.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ

(This is the straight path. And let not Shaytan hinder you.) means, from following the truth.

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ

(Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy. And when `Isa came with (Our) clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah...''), meaning prophethood:

﴿ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ

(and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ.) Ibn Jarir said, "This means religious matters, not worldly matters.'' What he said is good.

﴿ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ

(Therefore have Taqwa of Allah) means, `with regard to what I command you to do.'

﴿ وَأَطِيعُونِ

(and obey me.) means, `in what I bring to you.'

﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.) means, `you and I are enslaved to Him, in need of Him and we commonly share in the worship of Him Alone, associating none with Him.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(This is the straight path) means, `what I have brought to you is the straight path, which is the worship of the Lord, may He exalted, Alone.'

﴿ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ

(But the sects from among themselves differed.) means, they differed and became parties and factions, some who stated that he (`Isa) was the servant and Messenger of Allah -- which is true - while others claimed that he was the son of Allah or that he himself was Allah -- glorified be Allah far above what they say. Allah says:

﴿ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day)!

﴿ هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(66. Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not) (67. Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwa.) (68. My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,) (69. (You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) (70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.) (71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that their souls desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.) (72. This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) (73. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).)

72
وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ
And that is Paradise which you are made to inherit for what you used to do.
وَتِلۡكَAnd this
ٱلۡجَنَّةُ(is) the Paradise
ٱلَّتِىٓwhich
أُورِثۡتُمُوهَاyou are made to inherit
بِمَاfor what
كُنتُمۡyou used (to)
تَعۡمَلُونَdo.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Contempt of the Quraysh for the son of Maryam, and His true Status with Allah

Allah tells us how the Quraysh persisted in their disbelief and stubborn arguments:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) Several others narrated that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Ad-Dahhak said, "They laughed, i.e., they were astounded by that.'' Qatadah said, "They were repelled by that and they laughed.'' Ibrahim An-Nakha`i said, "They turned away.'' The reason for this was mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq in As-Sirah. He said, "According to what I have heard, the Messenger of Allah sat down one day with Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah in the Masjid, and An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came and sat down with them. There were also other men from the Quraysh in the gathering. The Messenger of Allah spoke, then An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came up to him and the Messenger of Allah spoke to him until he defeated him in argument. Then he recited to him and to them,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) Then the Messenger of Allah got up and went to sit with `Abdullah bin Al-Zab`ari At-Tamimi. Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah said to him, `By Allah, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith could not match the son of `Abd Al-Muttalib in argument. Muhammad claims that we and these gods that we worship are fuel for Hell.' `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, `By Allah, if I meet with him I will defeat him in argument. Ask Muhammad whether everyone that is worshipped instead of Allah will be in Hell with those who worshipped him, for we worship the angels, and the Jews worship `Uzayr, and the Christians worship the Messiah `Isa bin Maryam.' Al-Walid and those who were sitting with him were amazed at what `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, and they thought that he had come up with a good point. He said this to the Messenger of Allah , who said:

« كُلُّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَهُوَ مَعَ مَنْ عَبَدَهُ، فَإِنَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُونَ الشَّيْطَانَ وَمَنْ أَمَرَهُمْ بِعِبَادَتِه »

(Everyone who likes to worship something other than Allah will be with the one whom he worshipped, for indeed they are worshipping the Shaytan and whomever told them to worship that person.)'' Then Allah revealed the words:

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتۡ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَنۡہَا مُبۡعَدُونَ

(Verily, those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell)) (21:101), meaning that `Isa, `Uzayr and rabbis and monks who were also worshipped, who spent their lives in devotion towards Allah. The misguided people who came after them took them as lords instead of Allah. Concerning the notion of worshipping the angels as daughters of Allah, the following words were revealed:

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ

(And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten a son (or children).'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (21:26) Concerning `Isa bin Maryam, the fact that he is worshipped instead of Allah, and to the amazement of Al-Walid and the others who were present at the argument, the following was revealed:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) meaning, they take this argument as a basis for rejecting your message. Then Allah mentions `Isa bin Maryam and says:

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth. And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for the Hour.) meaning, the miracles and signs that happened at his hands, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, are sufficient as signs of the approach of the Hour.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path).'' Ibn Jarir mentioned that Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) commented on the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) "This means the Quraysh, when it was said to them:

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) The Quraysh said to him: `What about `Isa bin Maryam' He said:

« ذَاكَ عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُه »

(He is the servant and Messenger of Allah.) They said, `By Allah, he means that we should take him as a lord just as the Christians took `Isa son of Maryam as a lord.' Then Allah said:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).''

﴿ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ

(And say: "Are our gods better or is he''). Qatadah said, "They were saying, `our gods are better than him'.'' Qatadah said; "Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it (أَآلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هذَا) (Are our gods better or is this (person))'' they mean Muhammad.

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument.) means, for the sake of stubborn argument, for they knew that he (`Isa ) was not included in the Ayah (21:98), because that would not make sense. The words,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell!) (21:98) are addressed to the Quraysh, for they used to worship idols and false gods -- they did not worship the Messiah so why should he be included in what the Ayah says What they said was only for the sake of argument; they did not really believe in it. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« مَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ، إِلَّا أُوْرِثُوا الْجَدَل »

(No people go astray after having been guided, but they resort to (futile) argument.) Then the Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).'' It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Jarir. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih, we do not know it except from the Hadith of Hajjaj bin Dinar...''

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ

(He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him,) means, `Isa, peace be upon him; he was no more than one of the servants of Allah whom Allah blessed with prophethood and messengership.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ

(and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) means, `a sign, proof and evidence of Our power to do whatever We will.'

﴿ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ

(And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) As-Suddi said, "They would have taken your place on (the earth). '' Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and Qatadah said, "They would have succeeded one another just as you succeed one another.'' This view is implied by the former view. Mujahid said, "They would have populated the earth instead of you.'' Allah's saying:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) The correct view concerning this phrase is that it refers to his descent before the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says:

﴿ وَإِن مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤۡمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ مَوۡتِهِۦ‌ۖ

(And there is none of the People of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death) (4:159). -- meaning before the death of `Isa, peace be upon him --

﴿ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ شَہِيدً۬ا

And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them (4:159). This meaning has the support from an alternate recitation of the Ayat (وَإِنَّهُ لَعَلَمٌ لِلسَّاعَةِ) (And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, evidence that the Hour will surely come. Mujahid said:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, sign and "One of the signs of the Hour will be the appearance of `Isa son of Maryam before the Day of Resurrection. '' Something similar was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Abbas, `Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. Many Mutawatir Hadiths report that the Messenger of Allah said that `Isa will descend before the Day of Resurrection as a just ruler and fair judge.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it.) means, do not doubt that it will surely come to pass.

﴿ وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ

(And follow Me.) means, `in what I tell you about it.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ

(This is the straight path. And let not Shaytan hinder you.) means, from following the truth.

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ

(Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy. And when `Isa came with (Our) clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah...''), meaning prophethood:

﴿ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ

(and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ.) Ibn Jarir said, "This means religious matters, not worldly matters.'' What he said is good.

﴿ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ

(Therefore have Taqwa of Allah) means, `with regard to what I command you to do.'

﴿ وَأَطِيعُونِ

(and obey me.) means, `in what I bring to you.'

﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.) means, `you and I are enslaved to Him, in need of Him and we commonly share in the worship of Him Alone, associating none with Him.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(This is the straight path) means, `what I have brought to you is the straight path, which is the worship of the Lord, may He exalted, Alone.'

﴿ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ

(But the sects from among themselves differed.) means, they differed and became parties and factions, some who stated that he (`Isa) was the servant and Messenger of Allah -- which is true - while others claimed that he was the son of Allah or that he himself was Allah -- glorified be Allah far above what they say. Allah says:

﴿ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day)!

﴿ هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(66. Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not) (67. Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwa.) (68. My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,) (69. (You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) (70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.) (71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that their souls desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.) (72. This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) (73. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).)

73
لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ
For you therein is much fruit from which you will eat.
لَكُمۡFor you
فِيہَاtherein
فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬(are) fruits
كَثِيرَةٌ۬abundant,
مِّنۡهَاfrom it
تَأۡكُلُونَyou will eat.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Contempt of the Quraysh for the son of Maryam, and His true Status with Allah

Allah tells us how the Quraysh persisted in their disbelief and stubborn arguments:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) Several others narrated that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Ad-Dahhak said, "They laughed, i.e., they were astounded by that.'' Qatadah said, "They were repelled by that and they laughed.'' Ibrahim An-Nakha`i said, "They turned away.'' The reason for this was mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq in As-Sirah. He said, "According to what I have heard, the Messenger of Allah sat down one day with Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah in the Masjid, and An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came and sat down with them. There were also other men from the Quraysh in the gathering. The Messenger of Allah spoke, then An-Nadr bin Al-Harith came up to him and the Messenger of Allah spoke to him until he defeated him in argument. Then he recited to him and to them,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) Then the Messenger of Allah got up and went to sit with `Abdullah bin Al-Zab`ari At-Tamimi. Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah said to him, `By Allah, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith could not match the son of `Abd Al-Muttalib in argument. Muhammad claims that we and these gods that we worship are fuel for Hell.' `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, `By Allah, if I meet with him I will defeat him in argument. Ask Muhammad whether everyone that is worshipped instead of Allah will be in Hell with those who worshipped him, for we worship the angels, and the Jews worship `Uzayr, and the Christians worship the Messiah `Isa bin Maryam.' Al-Walid and those who were sitting with him were amazed at what `Abdullah bin Az-Zab`ari said, and they thought that he had come up with a good point. He said this to the Messenger of Allah , who said:

« كُلُّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَهُوَ مَعَ مَنْ عَبَدَهُ، فَإِنَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُونَ الشَّيْطَانَ وَمَنْ أَمَرَهُمْ بِعِبَادَتِه »

(Everyone who likes to worship something other than Allah will be with the one whom he worshipped, for indeed they are worshipping the Shaytan and whomever told them to worship that person.)'' Then Allah revealed the words:

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتۡ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَنۡہَا مُبۡعَدُونَ

(Verily, those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell)) (21:101), meaning that `Isa, `Uzayr and rabbis and monks who were also worshipped, who spent their lives in devotion towards Allah. The misguided people who came after them took them as lords instead of Allah. Concerning the notion of worshipping the angels as daughters of Allah, the following words were revealed:

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ

(And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten a son (or children).'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (21:26) Concerning `Isa bin Maryam, the fact that he is worshipped instead of Allah, and to the amazement of Al-Walid and the others who were present at the argument, the following was revealed:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) meaning, they take this argument as a basis for rejecting your message. Then Allah mentions `Isa bin Maryam and says:

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth. And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for the Hour.) meaning, the miracles and signs that happened at his hands, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, are sufficient as signs of the approach of the Hour.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me! This is the straight path).'' Ibn Jarir mentioned that Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) commented on the Ayah:

﴿ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلاً إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَ

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud thereat.) "This means the Quraysh, when it was said to them:

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا وَٲرِدُونَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you will enter it.) (21:98) The Quraysh said to him: `What about `Isa bin Maryam' He said:

« ذَاكَ عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُه »

(He is the servant and Messenger of Allah.) They said, `By Allah, he means that we should take him as a lord just as the Christians took `Isa son of Maryam as a lord.' Then Allah said:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).''

﴿ وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٲلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَ‌ۚ

(And say: "Are our gods better or is he''). Qatadah said, "They were saying, `our gods are better than him'.'' Qatadah said; "Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it (أَآلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هذَا) (Are our gods better or is this (person))'' they mean Muhammad.

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument.) means, for the sake of stubborn argument, for they knew that he (`Isa ) was not included in the Ayah (21:98), because that would not make sense. The words,

﴿ إِنَّڪُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ

(Certainly you and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell!) (21:98) are addressed to the Quraysh, for they used to worship idols and false gods -- they did not worship the Messiah so why should he be included in what the Ayah says What they said was only for the sake of argument; they did not really believe in it. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« مَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ، إِلَّا أُوْرِثُوا الْجَدَل »

(No people go astray after having been guided, but they resort to (futile) argument.) Then the Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah:

﴿ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

(They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people).'' It was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Jarir. At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih, we do not know it except from the Hadith of Hajjaj bin Dinar...''

﴿ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ

(He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him,) means, `Isa, peace be upon him; he was no more than one of the servants of Allah whom Allah blessed with prophethood and messengership.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ مَثَلاً۬ لِّبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ

(and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) means, `a sign, proof and evidence of Our power to do whatever We will.'

﴿ وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ

(And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) As-Suddi said, "They would have taken your place on (the earth). '' Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and Qatadah said, "They would have succeeded one another just as you succeed one another.'' This view is implied by the former view. Mujahid said, "They would have populated the earth instead of you.'' Allah's saying:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) The correct view concerning this phrase is that it refers to his descent before the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says:

﴿ وَإِن مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤۡمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ مَوۡتِهِۦ‌ۖ

(And there is none of the People of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death) (4:159). -- meaning before the death of `Isa, peace be upon him --

﴿ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ شَہِيدً۬ا

And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them (4:159). This meaning has the support from an alternate recitation of the Ayat (وَإِنَّهُ لَعَلَمٌ لِلسَّاعَةِ) (And he shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, evidence that the Hour will surely come. Mujahid said:

﴿ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَعِلۡمٌ۬ لِّلسَّاعَةِ

(And he shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, sign and "One of the signs of the Hour will be the appearance of `Isa son of Maryam before the Day of Resurrection. '' Something similar was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Abbas, `Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. Many Mutawatir Hadiths report that the Messenger of Allah said that `Isa will descend before the Day of Resurrection as a just ruler and fair judge.

﴿ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِہَا

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it.) means, do not doubt that it will surely come to pass.

﴿ وَٱتَّبِعُونِ‌ۚ

(And follow Me.) means, `in what I tell you about it.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ‌ۖ

(This is the straight path. And let not Shaytan hinder you.) means, from following the truth.

﴿ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ

(Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy. And when `Isa came with (Our) clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah...''), meaning prophethood:

﴿ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ‌ۖ

(and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ.) Ibn Jarir said, "This means religious matters, not worldly matters.'' What he said is good.

﴿ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ

(Therefore have Taqwa of Allah) means, `with regard to what I command you to do.'

﴿ وَأَطِيعُونِ

(and obey me.) means, `in what I bring to you.'

﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.) means, `you and I are enslaved to Him, in need of Him and we commonly share in the worship of Him Alone, associating none with Him.'

﴿ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬

(This is the straight path) means, `what I have brought to you is the straight path, which is the worship of the Lord, may He exalted, Alone.'

﴿ فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ

(But the sects from among themselves differed.) means, they differed and became parties and factions, some who stated that he (`Isa) was the servant and Messenger of Allah -- which is true - while others claimed that he was the son of Allah or that he himself was Allah -- glorified be Allah far above what they say. Allah says:

﴿ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍ

(So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day)!

﴿ هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(66. Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not) (67. Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwa.) (68. My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,) (69. (You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) (70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.) (71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that their souls desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.) (72. This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) (73. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).)

74
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ
Indeed, the criminals will be in the punishment of Hell, abiding eternally.
إِنَّIndeed,
ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَthe criminals
فِى(will be) in
عَذَابِ(the) punishment
جَهَنَّمَ(of) Hell
خَـٰلِدُونَabiding forever.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Good News for Those with Taqwa on the Day of Resurrection, and Their entry into Paradise

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) Then He will give them the glad tidings:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) means, their hearts believed and they submitted inwardly and outwardly to the Laws of Allah. Al-Mu`tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said: "When the Day of Resurrection comes and the people are resurrected, there will be no one left who will not be filled with terror. Then a caller will cry out:

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) So all the people will be filled with hope, but this will be followed by the words:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) Then all of mankind will be filled with despair apart from the believers.''

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ

(Enter Paradise,) means, they will be told to enter Paradise.

﴿ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ

(you and your wives,) means, your counterparts

﴿ تُحۡبَرُونَ

(in happiness (Tuhbarun).) means, in delight and joy.

﴿ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ

(Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them;) means, fine vessels of gold containing food and drink, without spouts or handles. (وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي الْأَنْفُسُ) ﴿(there will be) therein all that their souls could desire). Some of them recited:

﴿ مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ

(that their souls desire,)

﴿ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ

(and all that eyes could delight in) means, of good food, delightful fragrances and beautiful scenes.

﴿ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا

(and you will therein) means, in Paradise

﴿ خَـٰلِدُونَ

(abide forever) means, you will never leave it or want to exchange it. Then it will be said to them, as a reminder of the blessing and favor of Allah:

﴿ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

(This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) means, the righteous deeds which were the cause of your being included in the mercy of Allah. For no one will be admitted to Paradise by virtue of their deeds alone; that will be by the mercy and grace of Allah. But the varying ranks and degrees of Paradise will be attained according to one's righteous deeds.

﴿ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬

(Therein for you will be fruits in plenty,) means, of all kinds.

﴿ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(of which you will eat.) means, whatever you choose and desire. When food and drink are mentioned, fruit is also mentioned to complete the picture of blessing and joy. And Allah knows best.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(74. Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.) (75. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.) (76. We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) (77. And they will cry: "O Malik (keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.'' He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever.'') (78. Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) (79. Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) (80. Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.)

75
لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ
It will not be allowed to subside for them, and they, therein, are in despair.
لَاNot
يُفَتَّرُwill it subside
عَنۡهُمۡfor them,
وَهُمۡand they
فِيهِin it
مُبۡلِسُونَ(will) despair.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Good News for Those with Taqwa on the Day of Resurrection, and Their entry into Paradise

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) Then He will give them the glad tidings:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) means, their hearts believed and they submitted inwardly and outwardly to the Laws of Allah. Al-Mu`tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said: "When the Day of Resurrection comes and the people are resurrected, there will be no one left who will not be filled with terror. Then a caller will cry out:

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) So all the people will be filled with hope, but this will be followed by the words:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) Then all of mankind will be filled with despair apart from the believers.''

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ

(Enter Paradise,) means, they will be told to enter Paradise.

﴿ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ

(you and your wives,) means, your counterparts

﴿ تُحۡبَرُونَ

(in happiness (Tuhbarun).) means, in delight and joy.

﴿ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ

(Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them;) means, fine vessels of gold containing food and drink, without spouts or handles. (وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي الْأَنْفُسُ) ﴿(there will be) therein all that their souls could desire). Some of them recited:

﴿ مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ

(that their souls desire,)

﴿ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ

(and all that eyes could delight in) means, of good food, delightful fragrances and beautiful scenes.

﴿ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا

(and you will therein) means, in Paradise

﴿ خَـٰلِدُونَ

(abide forever) means, you will never leave it or want to exchange it. Then it will be said to them, as a reminder of the blessing and favor of Allah:

﴿ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

(This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) means, the righteous deeds which were the cause of your being included in the mercy of Allah. For no one will be admitted to Paradise by virtue of their deeds alone; that will be by the mercy and grace of Allah. But the varying ranks and degrees of Paradise will be attained according to one's righteous deeds.

﴿ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬

(Therein for you will be fruits in plenty,) means, of all kinds.

﴿ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(of which you will eat.) means, whatever you choose and desire. When food and drink are mentioned, fruit is also mentioned to complete the picture of blessing and joy. And Allah knows best.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(74. Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.) (75. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.) (76. We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) (77. And they will cry: "O Malik (keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.'' He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever.'') (78. Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) (79. Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) (80. Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.)

76
وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers.
وَمَاAnd not
ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡWe wronged them
وَلَـٰكِنbut
كَانُواْthey were
هُمُthemselves
ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَwrongdoers.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Good News for Those with Taqwa on the Day of Resurrection, and Their entry into Paradise

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) Then He will give them the glad tidings:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) means, their hearts believed and they submitted inwardly and outwardly to the Laws of Allah. Al-Mu`tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said: "When the Day of Resurrection comes and the people are resurrected, there will be no one left who will not be filled with terror. Then a caller will cry out:

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) So all the people will be filled with hope, but this will be followed by the words:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) Then all of mankind will be filled with despair apart from the believers.''

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ

(Enter Paradise,) means, they will be told to enter Paradise.

﴿ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ

(you and your wives,) means, your counterparts

﴿ تُحۡبَرُونَ

(in happiness (Tuhbarun).) means, in delight and joy.

﴿ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ

(Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them;) means, fine vessels of gold containing food and drink, without spouts or handles. (وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي الْأَنْفُسُ) ﴿(there will be) therein all that their souls could desire). Some of them recited:

﴿ مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ

(that their souls desire,)

﴿ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ

(and all that eyes could delight in) means, of good food, delightful fragrances and beautiful scenes.

﴿ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا

(and you will therein) means, in Paradise

﴿ خَـٰلِدُونَ

(abide forever) means, you will never leave it or want to exchange it. Then it will be said to them, as a reminder of the blessing and favor of Allah:

﴿ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

(This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) means, the righteous deeds which were the cause of your being included in the mercy of Allah. For no one will be admitted to Paradise by virtue of their deeds alone; that will be by the mercy and grace of Allah. But the varying ranks and degrees of Paradise will be attained according to one's righteous deeds.

﴿ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬

(Therein for you will be fruits in plenty,) means, of all kinds.

﴿ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(of which you will eat.) means, whatever you choose and desire. When food and drink are mentioned, fruit is also mentioned to complete the picture of blessing and joy. And Allah knows best.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(74. Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.) (75. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.) (76. We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) (77. And they will cry: "O Malik (keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.'' He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever.'') (78. Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) (79. Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) (80. Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.)

77
وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ
And they will call, "O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Indeed, you will remain."
وَنَادَوۡاْAnd they will call,
يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ`O Malik!
لِيَقۡضِLet put an end
عَلَيۡنَاto us
رَبُّكَ‌ۖyour Lord.`
قَالَHe (will) say,
إِنَّكُم`Indeed, you
مَّـٰكِثُونَ(will) remain.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Good News for Those with Taqwa on the Day of Resurrection, and Their entry into Paradise

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) Then He will give them the glad tidings:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) means, their hearts believed and they submitted inwardly and outwardly to the Laws of Allah. Al-Mu`tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said: "When the Day of Resurrection comes and the people are resurrected, there will be no one left who will not be filled with terror. Then a caller will cry out:

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) So all the people will be filled with hope, but this will be followed by the words:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) Then all of mankind will be filled with despair apart from the believers.''

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ

(Enter Paradise,) means, they will be told to enter Paradise.

﴿ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ

(you and your wives,) means, your counterparts

﴿ تُحۡبَرُونَ

(in happiness (Tuhbarun).) means, in delight and joy.

﴿ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ

(Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them;) means, fine vessels of gold containing food and drink, without spouts or handles. (وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي الْأَنْفُسُ) ﴿(there will be) therein all that their souls could desire). Some of them recited:

﴿ مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ

(that their souls desire,)

﴿ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ

(and all that eyes could delight in) means, of good food, delightful fragrances and beautiful scenes.

﴿ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا

(and you will therein) means, in Paradise

﴿ خَـٰلِدُونَ

(abide forever) means, you will never leave it or want to exchange it. Then it will be said to them, as a reminder of the blessing and favor of Allah:

﴿ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

(This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) means, the righteous deeds which were the cause of your being included in the mercy of Allah. For no one will be admitted to Paradise by virtue of their deeds alone; that will be by the mercy and grace of Allah. But the varying ranks and degrees of Paradise will be attained according to one's righteous deeds.

﴿ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬

(Therein for you will be fruits in plenty,) means, of all kinds.

﴿ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(of which you will eat.) means, whatever you choose and desire. When food and drink are mentioned, fruit is also mentioned to complete the picture of blessing and joy. And Allah knows best.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(74. Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.) (75. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.) (76. We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) (77. And they will cry: "O Malik (keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.'' He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever.'') (78. Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) (79. Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) (80. Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.)

78
لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ
We had certainly brought you the truth, but most of you, to the truth, were averse.
لَقَدۡCertainly,
جِئۡنَـٰكُمWe have brought you
بِٱلۡحَقِّthe truth,
وَلَـٰكِنَّbut
أَكۡثَرَكُمۡmost of you,
لِلۡحَقِّto the truth
كَـٰرِهُونَ(are) averse.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Good News for Those with Taqwa on the Day of Resurrection, and Their entry into Paradise

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) Then He will give them the glad tidings:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) means, their hearts believed and they submitted inwardly and outwardly to the Laws of Allah. Al-Mu`tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said: "When the Day of Resurrection comes and the people are resurrected, there will be no one left who will not be filled with terror. Then a caller will cry out:

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) So all the people will be filled with hope, but this will be followed by the words:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) Then all of mankind will be filled with despair apart from the believers.''

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ

(Enter Paradise,) means, they will be told to enter Paradise.

﴿ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ

(you and your wives,) means, your counterparts

﴿ تُحۡبَرُونَ

(in happiness (Tuhbarun).) means, in delight and joy.

﴿ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ

(Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them;) means, fine vessels of gold containing food and drink, without spouts or handles. (وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي الْأَنْفُسُ) ﴿(there will be) therein all that their souls could desire). Some of them recited:

﴿ مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ

(that their souls desire,)

﴿ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ

(and all that eyes could delight in) means, of good food, delightful fragrances and beautiful scenes.

﴿ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا

(and you will therein) means, in Paradise

﴿ خَـٰلِدُونَ

(abide forever) means, you will never leave it or want to exchange it. Then it will be said to them, as a reminder of the blessing and favor of Allah:

﴿ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

(This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) means, the righteous deeds which were the cause of your being included in the mercy of Allah. For no one will be admitted to Paradise by virtue of their deeds alone; that will be by the mercy and grace of Allah. But the varying ranks and degrees of Paradise will be attained according to one's righteous deeds.

﴿ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬

(Therein for you will be fruits in plenty,) means, of all kinds.

﴿ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(of which you will eat.) means, whatever you choose and desire. When food and drink are mentioned, fruit is also mentioned to complete the picture of blessing and joy. And Allah knows best.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(74. Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.) (75. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.) (76. We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) (77. And they will cry: "O Malik (keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.'' He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever.'') (78. Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) (79. Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) (80. Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.)

79
أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ
Or have they devised [some] affair? But indeed, We are devising [a plan].
أَمۡOr
أَبۡرَمُوٓاْhave they determined
أَمۡرً۬اan affair?
فَإِنَّاThen indeed, We
مُبۡرِمُونَ(are) determined.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Good News for Those with Taqwa on the Day of Resurrection, and Their entry into Paradise

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) Then He will give them the glad tidings:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) means, their hearts believed and they submitted inwardly and outwardly to the Laws of Allah. Al-Mu`tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said: "When the Day of Resurrection comes and the people are resurrected, there will be no one left who will not be filled with terror. Then a caller will cry out:

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) So all the people will be filled with hope, but this will be followed by the words:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) Then all of mankind will be filled with despair apart from the believers.''

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ

(Enter Paradise,) means, they will be told to enter Paradise.

﴿ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ

(you and your wives,) means, your counterparts

﴿ تُحۡبَرُونَ

(in happiness (Tuhbarun).) means, in delight and joy.

﴿ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ

(Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them;) means, fine vessels of gold containing food and drink, without spouts or handles. (وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي الْأَنْفُسُ) ﴿(there will be) therein all that their souls could desire). Some of them recited:

﴿ مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ

(that their souls desire,)

﴿ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ

(and all that eyes could delight in) means, of good food, delightful fragrances and beautiful scenes.

﴿ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا

(and you will therein) means, in Paradise

﴿ خَـٰلِدُونَ

(abide forever) means, you will never leave it or want to exchange it. Then it will be said to them, as a reminder of the blessing and favor of Allah:

﴿ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

(This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) means, the righteous deeds which were the cause of your being included in the mercy of Allah. For no one will be admitted to Paradise by virtue of their deeds alone; that will be by the mercy and grace of Allah. But the varying ranks and degrees of Paradise will be attained according to one's righteous deeds.

﴿ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬

(Therein for you will be fruits in plenty,) means, of all kinds.

﴿ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(of which you will eat.) means, whatever you choose and desire. When food and drink are mentioned, fruit is also mentioned to complete the picture of blessing and joy. And Allah knows best.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(74. Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.) (75. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.) (76. We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) (77. And they will cry: "O Malik (keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.'' He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever.'') (78. Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) (79. Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) (80. Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.)

80
أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ
Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private conversations? Yes, [We do], and Our messengers are with them recording.
أَمۡOr
يَحۡسَبُونَ(do) they think
أَنَّاthat We
لَا(can) not
نَسۡمَعُhear
سِرَّهُمۡtheir secret(s)
وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚand their private counsel(s)?
بَلَىٰNay,
وَرُسُلُنَاand Our Messengers
لَدَيۡہِمۡwith them,
يَكۡتُبُونَare recording.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Good News for Those with Taqwa on the Day of Resurrection, and Their entry into Paradise

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) Then He will give them the glad tidings:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) means, their hearts believed and they submitted inwardly and outwardly to the Laws of Allah. Al-Mu`tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said: "When the Day of Resurrection comes and the people are resurrected, there will be no one left who will not be filled with terror. Then a caller will cry out:

﴿ يَـٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) So all the people will be filled with hope, but this will be followed by the words:

﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَڪَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) Then all of mankind will be filled with despair apart from the believers.''

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ

(Enter Paradise,) means, they will be told to enter Paradise.

﴿ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجُكُمۡ

(you and your wives,) means, your counterparts

﴿ تُحۡبَرُونَ

(in happiness (Tuhbarun).) means, in delight and joy.

﴿ يُطَافُ عَلَيۡہِم بِصِحَافٍ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ۬ وَأَكۡوَابٍ۬‌ۖ

(Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them;) means, fine vessels of gold containing food and drink, without spouts or handles. (وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي الْأَنْفُسُ) ﴿(there will be) therein all that their souls could desire). Some of them recited:

﴿ مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ

(that their souls desire,)

﴿ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُ‌ۖ

(and all that eyes could delight in) means, of good food, delightful fragrances and beautiful scenes.

﴿ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا

(and you will therein) means, in Paradise

﴿ خَـٰلِدُونَ

(abide forever) means, you will never leave it or want to exchange it. Then it will be said to them, as a reminder of the blessing and favor of Allah:

﴿ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

(This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) means, the righteous deeds which were the cause of your being included in the mercy of Allah. For no one will be admitted to Paradise by virtue of their deeds alone; that will be by the mercy and grace of Allah. But the varying ranks and degrees of Paradise will be attained according to one's righteous deeds.

﴿ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ۬ كَثِيرَةٌ۬

(Therein for you will be fruits in plenty,) means, of all kinds.

﴿ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ

(of which you will eat.) means, whatever you choose and desire. When food and drink are mentioned, fruit is also mentioned to complete the picture of blessing and joy. And Allah knows best.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(74. Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.) (75. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.) (76. We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) (77. And they will cry: "O Malik (keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.'' He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever.'') (78. Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) (79. Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) (80. Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.)

81
قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ
Say, [O Muhammad], "If the Most Merciful had a son, then I would be the first of [his] worshippers."
قُلۡSay,
إِن`If
كَانَhad
لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِthe Most Gracious
وَلَدٌ۬a son.
فَأَنَا۟Then, I
أَوَّلُ(would be the) first
ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ(of) the worshippers.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Punishment of the Doomed

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ

(Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,) meaning, not even for one moment.

﴿ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ

(and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,) means, they will despair of any goodness.

﴿ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

(We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ

(And they will cry: "O Malik...'') who is the keeper of Hell. Al-Bukhari said, "Hajjaj bin Minhal told us, Sufyan bin `Uyaynah told us, from `Amr bin `Ata, ' from Safwan bin Ya`la that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) said, `I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting on the Minbar:

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ

(And they will cry: "O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us.'') meaning, `let Him destroy our souls and give us some respite from our predicament.' But it will be as Allah says:

﴿ لَا يُقۡضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ فَيَمُوتُواْ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُم مِّنۡ عَذَابِهَاۚ

(Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them) (35:36).

﴿ وَيَتَجَنَّبُہَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ٱلَّذِى يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيہَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ

(But it will be avoided by the wretched, who will enter the great Fire. There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).) (87:11-13). When they ask to be allowed to die, Malik will answer them:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ

He will say: Verily, you shall abide forever. meaning, you will have no way out from it and no refuge. Then the reason why they are doomed will be given, which is their stubborn resistance to the truth. Allah says:

﴿ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ

(Indeed We have brought the truth to you,) meaning, `We have explained it to you clearly and in detail.'

﴿ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ

(but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) means, `but your nature could not accept it and did not seek it; on the contrary, you followed and venerated falsehood, and you stood in the way of truth and refused it, and despised its followers.' So they will blame themselves and will feel regret at the time when regret will not be of any benefit to them. Then Allah says:

﴿ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ

(Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) Mujahid said, "They wanted to plot some evil, but We are also planning.'' What Mujahid said is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَمَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرً۬ا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَڪۡرً۬ا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

(So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.) (27:50). The idolaters were trying their utmost to find ways of refuting the truth with falsehood, but Allah planned it so that the consequences of that would backfire on them. He said in refutation:

﴿ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ

(Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel) meaning, what they say secretly and openly.

﴿ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.) means, `We know what they are doing, and the angels are also recording their deeds, major and minor.'

﴿ قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ
﴿ سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
﴿ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ ۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَہِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ

(81. Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers.'') (82. Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).) (83. So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.) (84. It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.) (85. And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.) (86. And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession -- except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.) (87. And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah.'' How then are they turned away) (88. And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!'') (89. So turn away from them, and say: Salam (peace!) But they will come to know.)

82
سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
Exalted is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.
سُبۡحَـٰنَGlory be
رَبِّ(to the) Lord,
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ(of) the heavens
وَٱلۡأَرۡضِand the earth,
رَبِّ(the) Lord
ٱلۡعَرۡشِ(of) the Throne,
عَمَّاabove what
يَصِفُونَthey ascribe.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Punishment of the Doomed

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ

(Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,) meaning, not even for one moment.

﴿ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ

(and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,) means, they will despair of any goodness.

﴿ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

(We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ

(And they will cry: "O Malik...'') who is the keeper of Hell. Al-Bukhari said, "Hajjaj bin Minhal told us, Sufyan bin `Uyaynah told us, from `Amr bin `Ata, ' from Safwan bin Ya`la that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) said, `I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting on the Minbar:

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ

(And they will cry: "O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us.'') meaning, `let Him destroy our souls and give us some respite from our predicament.' But it will be as Allah says:

﴿ لَا يُقۡضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ فَيَمُوتُواْ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُم مِّنۡ عَذَابِهَاۚ

(Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them) (35:36).

﴿ وَيَتَجَنَّبُہَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ٱلَّذِى يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيہَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ

(But it will be avoided by the wretched, who will enter the great Fire. There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).) (87:11-13). When they ask to be allowed to die, Malik will answer them:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ

He will say: Verily, you shall abide forever. meaning, you will have no way out from it and no refuge. Then the reason why they are doomed will be given, which is their stubborn resistance to the truth. Allah says:

﴿ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ

(Indeed We have brought the truth to you,) meaning, `We have explained it to you clearly and in detail.'

﴿ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ

(but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) means, `but your nature could not accept it and did not seek it; on the contrary, you followed and venerated falsehood, and you stood in the way of truth and refused it, and despised its followers.' So they will blame themselves and will feel regret at the time when regret will not be of any benefit to them. Then Allah says:

﴿ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ

(Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) Mujahid said, "They wanted to plot some evil, but We are also planning.'' What Mujahid said is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَمَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرً۬ا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَڪۡرً۬ا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

(So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.) (27:50). The idolaters were trying their utmost to find ways of refuting the truth with falsehood, but Allah planned it so that the consequences of that would backfire on them. He said in refutation:

﴿ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ

(Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel) meaning, what they say secretly and openly.

﴿ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.) means, `We know what they are doing, and the angels are also recording their deeds, major and minor.'

﴿ قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ
﴿ سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
﴿ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ ۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَہِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ

(81. Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers.'') (82. Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).) (83. So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.) (84. It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.) (85. And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.) (86. And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession -- except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.) (87. And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah.'' How then are they turned away) (88. And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!'') (89. So turn away from them, and say: Salam (peace!) But they will come to know.)

83
فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ
So leave them to converse vainly and amuse themselves until they meet their Day which they are promised.
فَذَرۡهُمۡSo leave them
يَخُوضُواْ(to) converse vainly
وَيَلۡعَبُواْand play
حَتَّىٰuntil
يُلَـٰقُواْthey meet
يَوۡمَهُمُtheir Day
ٱلَّذِىwhich
يُوعَدُونَthey are promised
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Punishment of the Doomed

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ

(Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,) meaning, not even for one moment.

﴿ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ

(and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,) means, they will despair of any goodness.

﴿ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

(We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ

(And they will cry: "O Malik...'') who is the keeper of Hell. Al-Bukhari said, "Hajjaj bin Minhal told us, Sufyan bin `Uyaynah told us, from `Amr bin `Ata, ' from Safwan bin Ya`la that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) said, `I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting on the Minbar:

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ

(And they will cry: "O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us.'') meaning, `let Him destroy our souls and give us some respite from our predicament.' But it will be as Allah says:

﴿ لَا يُقۡضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ فَيَمُوتُواْ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُم مِّنۡ عَذَابِهَاۚ

(Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them) (35:36).

﴿ وَيَتَجَنَّبُہَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ٱلَّذِى يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيہَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ

(But it will be avoided by the wretched, who will enter the great Fire. There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).) (87:11-13). When they ask to be allowed to die, Malik will answer them:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ

He will say: Verily, you shall abide forever. meaning, you will have no way out from it and no refuge. Then the reason why they are doomed will be given, which is their stubborn resistance to the truth. Allah says:

﴿ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ

(Indeed We have brought the truth to you,) meaning, `We have explained it to you clearly and in detail.'

﴿ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ

(but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) means, `but your nature could not accept it and did not seek it; on the contrary, you followed and venerated falsehood, and you stood in the way of truth and refused it, and despised its followers.' So they will blame themselves and will feel regret at the time when regret will not be of any benefit to them. Then Allah says:

﴿ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ

(Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) Mujahid said, "They wanted to plot some evil, but We are also planning.'' What Mujahid said is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَمَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرً۬ا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَڪۡرً۬ا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

(So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.) (27:50). The idolaters were trying their utmost to find ways of refuting the truth with falsehood, but Allah planned it so that the consequences of that would backfire on them. He said in refutation:

﴿ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ

(Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel) meaning, what they say secretly and openly.

﴿ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.) means, `We know what they are doing, and the angels are also recording their deeds, major and minor.'

﴿ قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ
﴿ سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
﴿ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ ۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَہِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ

(81. Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers.'') (82. Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).) (83. So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.) (84. It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.) (85. And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.) (86. And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession -- except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.) (87. And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah.'' How then are they turned away) (88. And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!'') (89. So turn away from them, and say: Salam (peace!) But they will come to know.)

84
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
And it is Allah who is [the only] deity in the heaven, and on the earth [the only] deity. And He is the Wise, the Knowing.
وَهُوَAnd He
ٱلَّذِى(is) the One Who
فِى(is) in
ٱلسَّمَآءِthe heaven -
إِلَـٰهٌ۬God,
وَفِىand in
ٱلۡأَرۡضِthe earth -
إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚGod.
وَهُوَAnd He
ٱلۡحَكِيمُ(is) the All-Wise,
ٱلۡعَلِيمُthe All-Knower.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Punishment of the Doomed

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ

(Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,) meaning, not even for one moment.

﴿ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ

(and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,) means, they will despair of any goodness.

﴿ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

(We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ

(And they will cry: "O Malik...'') who is the keeper of Hell. Al-Bukhari said, "Hajjaj bin Minhal told us, Sufyan bin `Uyaynah told us, from `Amr bin `Ata, ' from Safwan bin Ya`la that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) said, `I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting on the Minbar:

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ

(And they will cry: "O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us.'') meaning, `let Him destroy our souls and give us some respite from our predicament.' But it will be as Allah says:

﴿ لَا يُقۡضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ فَيَمُوتُواْ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُم مِّنۡ عَذَابِهَاۚ

(Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them) (35:36).

﴿ وَيَتَجَنَّبُہَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ٱلَّذِى يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيہَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ

(But it will be avoided by the wretched, who will enter the great Fire. There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).) (87:11-13). When they ask to be allowed to die, Malik will answer them:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ

He will say: Verily, you shall abide forever. meaning, you will have no way out from it and no refuge. Then the reason why they are doomed will be given, which is their stubborn resistance to the truth. Allah says:

﴿ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ

(Indeed We have brought the truth to you,) meaning, `We have explained it to you clearly and in detail.'

﴿ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ

(but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) means, `but your nature could not accept it and did not seek it; on the contrary, you followed and venerated falsehood, and you stood in the way of truth and refused it, and despised its followers.' So they will blame themselves and will feel regret at the time when regret will not be of any benefit to them. Then Allah says:

﴿ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ

(Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) Mujahid said, "They wanted to plot some evil, but We are also planning.'' What Mujahid said is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَمَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرً۬ا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَڪۡرً۬ا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

(So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.) (27:50). The idolaters were trying their utmost to find ways of refuting the truth with falsehood, but Allah planned it so that the consequences of that would backfire on them. He said in refutation:

﴿ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ

(Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel) meaning, what they say secretly and openly.

﴿ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.) means, `We know what they are doing, and the angels are also recording their deeds, major and minor.'

﴿ قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ
﴿ سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
﴿ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ ۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَہِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ

(81. Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers.'') (82. Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).) (83. So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.) (84. It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.) (85. And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.) (86. And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession -- except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.) (87. And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah.'' How then are they turned away) (88. And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!'') (89. So turn away from them, and say: Salam (peace!) But they will come to know.)

85
وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ ۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ
And blessed is He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them and with whom is knowledge of the Hour and to whom you will be returned.
وَتَبَارَكَAnd blessed is
ٱلَّذِىthe One Who -
لَهُ ۥto Whom
مُلۡكُ(belongs the) dominion
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ(of) the heavens
وَٱلۡأَرۡضِand the earth
وَمَاand whatever
بَيۡنَهُمَا(is) between both of them
وَعِندَهُ ۥand with Him
عِلۡمُ(is the) knowledge
ٱلسَّاعَةِ(of) the Hour,
وَإِلَيۡهِand to Him
تُرۡجَعُونَyou will be returned.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Punishment of the Doomed

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ

(Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,) meaning, not even for one moment.

﴿ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ

(and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,) means, they will despair of any goodness.

﴿ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

(We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ

(And they will cry: "O Malik...'') who is the keeper of Hell. Al-Bukhari said, "Hajjaj bin Minhal told us, Sufyan bin `Uyaynah told us, from `Amr bin `Ata, ' from Safwan bin Ya`la that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) said, `I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting on the Minbar:

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ

(And they will cry: "O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us.'') meaning, `let Him destroy our souls and give us some respite from our predicament.' But it will be as Allah says:

﴿ لَا يُقۡضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ فَيَمُوتُواْ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُم مِّنۡ عَذَابِهَاۚ

(Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them) (35:36).

﴿ وَيَتَجَنَّبُہَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ٱلَّذِى يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيہَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ

(But it will be avoided by the wretched, who will enter the great Fire. There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).) (87:11-13). When they ask to be allowed to die, Malik will answer them:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ

He will say: Verily, you shall abide forever. meaning, you will have no way out from it and no refuge. Then the reason why they are doomed will be given, which is their stubborn resistance to the truth. Allah says:

﴿ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ

(Indeed We have brought the truth to you,) meaning, `We have explained it to you clearly and in detail.'

﴿ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ

(but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) means, `but your nature could not accept it and did not seek it; on the contrary, you followed and venerated falsehood, and you stood in the way of truth and refused it, and despised its followers.' So they will blame themselves and will feel regret at the time when regret will not be of any benefit to them. Then Allah says:

﴿ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ

(Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) Mujahid said, "They wanted to plot some evil, but We are also planning.'' What Mujahid said is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَمَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرً۬ا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَڪۡرً۬ا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

(So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.) (27:50). The idolaters were trying their utmost to find ways of refuting the truth with falsehood, but Allah planned it so that the consequences of that would backfire on them. He said in refutation:

﴿ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ

(Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel) meaning, what they say secretly and openly.

﴿ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.) means, `We know what they are doing, and the angels are also recording their deeds, major and minor.'

﴿ قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ
﴿ سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
﴿ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ ۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَہِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ

(81. Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers.'') (82. Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).) (83. So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.) (84. It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.) (85. And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.) (86. And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession -- except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.) (87. And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah.'' How then are they turned away) (88. And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!'') (89. So turn away from them, and say: Salam (peace!) But they will come to know.)

86
وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَہِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ
And those they invoke besides Him do not possess [power of] intercession; but only those who testify to the truth [can benefit], and they know.
وَلَاAnd not
يَمۡلِكُhave power
ٱلَّذِينَthose whom
يَدۡعُونَthey invoke
مِن دُونِهِbesides Him
ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ(for) the intercession;
إِلَّاexcept
مَنwho
شَہِدَtestifies
بِٱلۡحَقِّto the truth,
وَهُمۡand they
يَعۡلَمُونَknow.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Punishment of the Doomed

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ

(Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,) meaning, not even for one moment.

﴿ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ

(and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,) means, they will despair of any goodness.

﴿ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

(We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ

(And they will cry: "O Malik...'') who is the keeper of Hell. Al-Bukhari said, "Hajjaj bin Minhal told us, Sufyan bin `Uyaynah told us, from `Amr bin `Ata, ' from Safwan bin Ya`la that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) said, `I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting on the Minbar:

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ

(And they will cry: "O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us.'') meaning, `let Him destroy our souls and give us some respite from our predicament.' But it will be as Allah says:

﴿ لَا يُقۡضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ فَيَمُوتُواْ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُم مِّنۡ عَذَابِهَاۚ

(Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them) (35:36).

﴿ وَيَتَجَنَّبُہَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ٱلَّذِى يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيہَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ

(But it will be avoided by the wretched, who will enter the great Fire. There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).) (87:11-13). When they ask to be allowed to die, Malik will answer them:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ

He will say: Verily, you shall abide forever. meaning, you will have no way out from it and no refuge. Then the reason why they are doomed will be given, which is their stubborn resistance to the truth. Allah says:

﴿ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ

(Indeed We have brought the truth to you,) meaning, `We have explained it to you clearly and in detail.'

﴿ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ

(but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) means, `but your nature could not accept it and did not seek it; on the contrary, you followed and venerated falsehood, and you stood in the way of truth and refused it, and despised its followers.' So they will blame themselves and will feel regret at the time when regret will not be of any benefit to them. Then Allah says:

﴿ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ

(Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) Mujahid said, "They wanted to plot some evil, but We are also planning.'' What Mujahid said is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَمَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرً۬ا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَڪۡرً۬ا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

(So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.) (27:50). The idolaters were trying their utmost to find ways of refuting the truth with falsehood, but Allah planned it so that the consequences of that would backfire on them. He said in refutation:

﴿ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ

(Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel) meaning, what they say secretly and openly.

﴿ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.) means, `We know what they are doing, and the angels are also recording their deeds, major and minor.'

﴿ قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ
﴿ سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
﴿ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ ۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَہِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ

(81. Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers.'') (82. Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).) (83. So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.) (84. It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.) (85. And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.) (86. And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession -- except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.) (87. And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah.'' How then are they turned away) (88. And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!'') (89. So turn away from them, and say: Salam (peace!) But they will come to know.)

87
وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ
And if you asked them who created them, they would surely say, "Allah." So how are they deluded?
وَلَٮِٕنAnd if
سَأَلۡتَهُمyou ask them
مَّنۡwho
خَلَقَهُمۡcreated them,
لَيَقُولُنَّthey will certainly say,
ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ`Allah.`
فَأَنَّىٰThen how
يُؤۡفَكُونَare they deluded?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Punishment of the Doomed

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ

(Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,) meaning, not even for one moment.

﴿ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ

(and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,) means, they will despair of any goodness.

﴿ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

(We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ

(And they will cry: "O Malik...'') who is the keeper of Hell. Al-Bukhari said, "Hajjaj bin Minhal told us, Sufyan bin `Uyaynah told us, from `Amr bin `Ata, ' from Safwan bin Ya`la that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) said, `I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting on the Minbar:

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ

(And they will cry: "O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us.'') meaning, `let Him destroy our souls and give us some respite from our predicament.' But it will be as Allah says:

﴿ لَا يُقۡضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ فَيَمُوتُواْ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُم مِّنۡ عَذَابِهَاۚ

(Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them) (35:36).

﴿ وَيَتَجَنَّبُہَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ٱلَّذِى يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيہَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ

(But it will be avoided by the wretched, who will enter the great Fire. There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).) (87:11-13). When they ask to be allowed to die, Malik will answer them:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ

He will say: Verily, you shall abide forever. meaning, you will have no way out from it and no refuge. Then the reason why they are doomed will be given, which is their stubborn resistance to the truth. Allah says:

﴿ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ

(Indeed We have brought the truth to you,) meaning, `We have explained it to you clearly and in detail.'

﴿ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ

(but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) means, `but your nature could not accept it and did not seek it; on the contrary, you followed and venerated falsehood, and you stood in the way of truth and refused it, and despised its followers.' So they will blame themselves and will feel regret at the time when regret will not be of any benefit to them. Then Allah says:

﴿ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ

(Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) Mujahid said, "They wanted to plot some evil, but We are also planning.'' What Mujahid said is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَمَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرً۬ا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَڪۡرً۬ا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

(So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.) (27:50). The idolaters were trying their utmost to find ways of refuting the truth with falsehood, but Allah planned it so that the consequences of that would backfire on them. He said in refutation:

﴿ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ

(Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel) meaning, what they say secretly and openly.

﴿ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.) means, `We know what they are doing, and the angels are also recording their deeds, major and minor.'

﴿ قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ
﴿ سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
﴿ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ ۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَہِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ

(81. Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers.'') (82. Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).) (83. So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.) (84. It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.) (85. And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.) (86. And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession -- except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.) (87. And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah.'' How then are they turned away) (88. And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!'') (89. So turn away from them, and say: Salam (peace!) But they will come to know.)

88
وَقِيلِهِۦ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ
And [Allah acknowledges] his saying, "O my Lord, indeed these are a people who do not believe."
وَقِيلِهِۦAnd his saying,
يَـٰرَبِّ`O my Lord!
إِنَّIndeed,
هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِthese
قَوۡمٌ۬(are) a people
لَّا(who do) not
يُؤۡمِنُونَbelieve.`
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Punishment of the Doomed

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ

(Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,) meaning, not even for one moment.

﴿ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ

(and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,) means, they will despair of any goodness.

﴿ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

(We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ

(And they will cry: "O Malik...'') who is the keeper of Hell. Al-Bukhari said, "Hajjaj bin Minhal told us, Sufyan bin `Uyaynah told us, from `Amr bin `Ata, ' from Safwan bin Ya`la that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) said, `I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting on the Minbar:

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ

(And they will cry: "O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us.'') meaning, `let Him destroy our souls and give us some respite from our predicament.' But it will be as Allah says:

﴿ لَا يُقۡضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ فَيَمُوتُواْ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُم مِّنۡ عَذَابِهَاۚ

(Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them) (35:36).

﴿ وَيَتَجَنَّبُہَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ٱلَّذِى يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيہَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ

(But it will be avoided by the wretched, who will enter the great Fire. There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).) (87:11-13). When they ask to be allowed to die, Malik will answer them:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ

He will say: Verily, you shall abide forever. meaning, you will have no way out from it and no refuge. Then the reason why they are doomed will be given, which is their stubborn resistance to the truth. Allah says:

﴿ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ

(Indeed We have brought the truth to you,) meaning, `We have explained it to you clearly and in detail.'

﴿ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ

(but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) means, `but your nature could not accept it and did not seek it; on the contrary, you followed and venerated falsehood, and you stood in the way of truth and refused it, and despised its followers.' So they will blame themselves and will feel regret at the time when regret will not be of any benefit to them. Then Allah says:

﴿ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ

(Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) Mujahid said, "They wanted to plot some evil, but We are also planning.'' What Mujahid said is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَمَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرً۬ا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَڪۡرً۬ا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

(So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.) (27:50). The idolaters were trying their utmost to find ways of refuting the truth with falsehood, but Allah planned it so that the consequences of that would backfire on them. He said in refutation:

﴿ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ

(Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel) meaning, what they say secretly and openly.

﴿ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.) means, `We know what they are doing, and the angels are also recording their deeds, major and minor.'

﴿ قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ
﴿ سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
﴿ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ ۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَہِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ

(81. Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers.'') (82. Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).) (83. So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.) (84. It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.) (85. And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.) (86. And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession -- except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.) (87. And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah.'' How then are they turned away) (88. And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!'') (89. So turn away from them, and say: Salam (peace!) But they will come to know.)

89
فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ
So turn aside from them and say, "Peace." But they are going to know.
فَٱصۡفَحۡSo turn away
عَنۡہُمۡfrom them
وَقُلۡand say,
سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ`Peace.`
فَسَوۡفَBut soon
يَعۡلَمُونَthey will know.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Punishment of the Doomed

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِى عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ

(Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,) meaning, not even for one moment.

﴿ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ

(and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,) means, they will despair of any goodness.

﴿ وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

(We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ

(And they will cry: "O Malik...'') who is the keeper of Hell. Al-Bukhari said, "Hajjaj bin Minhal told us, Sufyan bin `Uyaynah told us, from `Amr bin `Ata, ' from Safwan bin Ya`la that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) said, `I heard the Messenger of Allah reciting on the Minbar:

﴿ وَنَادَوۡاْ يَـٰمَـٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَ‌ۖ

(And they will cry: "O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us.'') meaning, `let Him destroy our souls and give us some respite from our predicament.' But it will be as Allah says:

﴿ لَا يُقۡضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ فَيَمُوتُواْ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُم مِّنۡ عَذَابِهَاۚ

(Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them) (35:36).

﴿ وَيَتَجَنَّبُہَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ٱلَّذِى يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيہَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ

(But it will be avoided by the wretched, who will enter the great Fire. There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).) (87:11-13). When they ask to be allowed to die, Malik will answer them:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَ

He will say: Verily, you shall abide forever. meaning, you will have no way out from it and no refuge. Then the reason why they are doomed will be given, which is their stubborn resistance to the truth. Allah says:

﴿ لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَـٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ

(Indeed We have brought the truth to you,) meaning, `We have explained it to you clearly and in detail.'

﴿ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَـٰرِهُونَ

(but most of you have a hatred for the truth.) means, `but your nature could not accept it and did not seek it; on the contrary, you followed and venerated falsehood, and you stood in the way of truth and refused it, and despised its followers.' So they will blame themselves and will feel regret at the time when regret will not be of any benefit to them. Then Allah says:

﴿ أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَ

(Or have they plotted some plan Then We too are planning.) Mujahid said, "They wanted to plot some evil, but We are also planning.'' What Mujahid said is like the Ayah:

﴿ وَمَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرً۬ا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَڪۡرً۬ا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

(So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.) (27:50). The idolaters were trying their utmost to find ways of refuting the truth with falsehood, but Allah planned it so that the consequences of that would backfire on them. He said in refutation:

﴿ أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُم‌ۚ

(Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel) meaning, what they say secretly and openly.

﴿ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَ

(Yes (We do) and Our messengers are by them, to record.) means, `We know what they are doing, and the angels are also recording their deeds, major and minor.'

﴿ قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ
﴿ سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَـٰهٌ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
﴿ وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ ۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَہِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ وَقِيلِهِۦ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ۬‌ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ

(81. Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of the worshippers.'') (82. Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).) (83. So leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs which they have been promised.) (84. It is He Who is the only God in the heaven and the only God on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.) (85. And Blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.) (86. And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession -- except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly, and they know.) (87. And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah.'' How then are they turned away) (88. And his saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!'') (89. So turn away from them, and say: Salam (peace!) But they will come to know.)