65. SURAH AL-JATHIYAH [ONE WHO KNEELS] – Presentation of Islam and Quran

INTRODUCTION

It is accepted that this surah, which takes its name from the word “جاثيةcasiye [kneeling]” mentioned in verse 28, was revealed in Mecca as the 65th in order of revelation. The surah is also called “Surah Sharia” because of the word “شريعةshariat” in verse 18, and “Surah Dehr” because of the word “الدّهرdehr” in verse 24. There are reports indicating that verse 14 is Medinan. Considering the harmony of the verse in question with its siyak and sibak, this seems quite reasonable. In the surah, attention is drawn to Allah’s verses in the universe; the polytheists are warned of the bad fate that awaits them, and the believers are consoled. The surah also briefly mentions the Israelites, who were given the Book, judgment, and prophethood.

The meaning of the verses:

¹Ha/8, Mim/40.

²Revelation of this Book is from Allah Who is the most exalted, the most powerful, the most honorable, the invincible/the subduer, the best law maker, the One Who precludes corruption best/makes incorruptible.

^3-5Surely, there are evidences/signs in the heavens/universe and on the earth for the believers. And there are evidences/signs for a people who believe with certain knowledge in the formation of yourselves and in what He disperses of all creatures, small and large. And there are evidences/signs for a people who reason in the alternation of the night and the day one after another and in that which Allah sent down from the sky of provision with which He gives life to earth after its lifelessness and in His directing of the winds.

⁶These are the Ayat of Allah which we recite to you in truth. We recite them to you in truth. Then, in what word/fact will they believe after Allah and His Ayat?

⁷O woe to all those liars, those who waste their time/who delay the good/who are reluctant for the good/who harm!

⁸He hears the Ayat of Allah that is recited to him, then persists in what he does out of his arrogance as if he had not heard them. Then, give him the good tidings of a painful punishment!

^9,10And when he learns something from Our Ayat, he ridicules it. For them will be a humiliating punishment; and then Jahannah [Hell]. That which they earned and the familiars who protect, guide which they have taken from among those that are inferior to Allah will not avail them at all. And a great punishment will be for them.

¹¹These warnings are a guidance. As for those who consciously deny the Ayat of their Rabb, there will be a painful punishment of the filthiest kind for them.

¹²Allah is the One Who gave the sea to your service/created it in such structure and characteristics so you may benefit, so that ships may sail on it and you may seek provision from His bounties and repay for the blessings you are given. ¹³And He gave to your service all that is in the heavens/universe and on the earth, from Himself. Indeed, there are evidences/signs in this for a people who reason.

^14,15Say to those who have believed: “Let them forgive those who do not expect the days when Allah will seriously punish; those who do not believe in Akhirat [Afterlife] so Allah may recompense every people with what they earned, and let them not recompense them by themselves, let them leave it to Allah. Whoever does a righteous deed, it is for himself. And whoever does an evil deed, it is against himself. Then you will be returned to your Rabb”.

¹⁶And indeed, We gave Israelites the book, judgment; law and prophethood. And We provided them with what is pure, pleasant. And We favored them above the people of the time.

¹⁷And We gave them explicit proofs of own affairs of Allah Himself. Then they differed only out of the envy between themselves after the knowledge had come to them. Surely, on the day of Qiyamat [Resurrection], your Rabb will judge between them for that over which they differed.

¹⁸Then We have made you possess an explicit roadmap/a compilation of principles of life from own affairs of Allah Himself. Then you, follow it, do not follow vain, transitory desires of those who do not know.

¹⁹Surely, they will not avail you against Allah at all. And indeed, some of those who do wrong; act against their own good by associating others with Allah are familiars who help, guide, protect of some others. However, Allah is the familiar Who helps, guides, protects of the people who have entered under the guardianship of Himself.

²⁰The Qur’an is enlightment for mankind and a guide and mercy for a people who believe in certainty.

²¹Or do those who commit evils think that We will make them, in their life and in their death, like those who have believe and do amendatory deeds? How evil they judge!

²²And Allah formed the heavens/universe and the earth in truth and to recompense everyone with what he has earned. And they will not be treated unjustly.

²³Have you ever thought/seen the one who has taken his own vain, transitory desire as his deity and whom Allah led astray upon a knowledge, sealed his ear and heart and set a curtain upon his eye? Who will guide him to the righteous path after Allah? Will you still not remember and reason?

²⁴And they said: “There is not but our this worldly life. We live and we die. Only long time manipulates/destroys us”. Yet they have no knowledge of this. They only assume.

²⁵And when they were recited Our Ayat explicitly, they did not have any proof but saying: “If you are truthful, bring our ancestors”.

^26,27Say: “Allah gives you life. And it is He Who takes your life, and He will gather you on the day of Qiyamat [Resurrection] of which there is no doubt. But most of the people do not know. And the dominion of the heavens/universe and the earth belongs only to Allah. On the day when the moment of Qiyamat [Resurrection] will come; on that day, those who have gone astray into falsehood will lose”.

^28,29And you will see every community with a leader kneeling. Every community with a leader will be called to their own book: “Today you will be recompensed for the deeds you did. This is Our book that speaks the truth to your face. Surely, We have been having what you did recorded”.

³⁰As for those who believe and do amendatory deeds, their Rabb will admit them into His mercy. This is what is an explicit salvation.

^31,32And as for those infidels; those who consciously denied the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb, when it was said, “Were My Ayat not recited to you so you acted arrogantly and became a people who commit sin?” And ‘promise of Allah is definitely the truth; and as for the moment of Qiyamat [Resurrection], there is no doubt about it’, you said: ‘We do not know what is the moment of Qiyamat [Resurrection]; we are only assuming, we have not obtained a certain knowledge.’

³³And the evil of what they did will appear to them and that which they ridiculed will surround them.

^34,35And it will be said: “Today We forget/abandon/recompense you as you forgot that you would meet this day of yours. And your abode is the fire. There will be no one from the helpers for you. These are because you ridiculed the Ayat of Allah and simple worldly life deluded you”. So this day, they will not be taken out from the fire and their excuses will not be accepted/they will not be asked to please Allah.

³⁶Then, all praise is to Allah, Rabb of the heavens/universe, Rabb of the earth and Rabb of all universes; no one else may be praised.

³⁷And only to Him belong the grandeur and dominion in the heavens/universe and on the earth. And He is the One Who is the most exalted, the most powerful, the most honorable, the invincible/the subduer, the best law maker, the One Who precludes corruption best/makes incorruptible.

ANALYSIS

Verse 1:

¹Ha/8, Mim/40.

Like Surah Duhan, revealed before it, this surah also begins with the disjointed letters “ح Ha” and “م Mim”. We have previously stated that various speculations have been made regarding the disjointed letters “Ha Mim”; therefore, please see that section for details.

Verse 2:

Like other surahs that begin with the muqattaʿ [disjointed] letters, this surah also opens by drawing attention to the Qur’an. In the verse, it is emphasized that the power behind the Qur’an is Allah—absolutely victorious, invincible, the supreme lawgiver, who makes all that He does sound—and that the Prophet did not fabricate the Qur’an. Therefore, there is no course but to submit to Allah and follow the principles He has set.

⁴¹Indeed, warners came to the family of Pharaoh as well. ⁴²They denied all Our Ayat. And We seized them with a seizure of the one exalted in might and ability.

(Qamar/41,42)

Verses 3 – 5:

^3-5Surely, there are evidences/signs in the heavens/universe and on the earth for the believers. And there are evidences/signs for a people who believe with certain knowledge in the formation of yourselves and in what He disperses of all creatures, small and large. And there are evidences/signs for a people who reason in the alternation of the night and the day one after another and in that which Allah sent down from the sky of provision with which He gives life the earth after its lifelessness and in His directing of the winds.

In this group of verses, the signs in the universe are mentioned, and believers are directed to examine the universe more deeply and reflect on the findings. If people study these signs in the universe and think thoroughly, they will find that the will and power that created them is Allah.

Our Lord’s commands regarding the study of the universe are included in many verses:

¹⁶⁴Indeed, there are evidences/signs for a people who reason in the formation of the heavens/universe and the earth, the alternation of the night and the day,

the ships that sail through the sea with that which benefits the people,

that Allah sends down a water from the sky and gives life to the earth after its lifelessness with it,

dispersing of every moving creatures on the earth,

directing of the winds,

the cloud that is ready for the command between the sky and the earth.

(Baqara/164)

^190-194There are many evidences/signs in the formation of the heavens/universe and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the day surely for those who remember Allah while standing, sitting and lying on their sides; those who are able to comprehend, who give thought to the formation of the heavens/universe and the earth: “O our Rabb! You did not form this without a purpose; purified are You from all deficiencies. Protect us from the punishment of the Fire! O our Rabb! Indeed, whomever you admit into that fire, You have surely disgraced him. And there will be none from helpers either for those who do wrong; act against their own good by associating others with Allah. O our Rabb! Surely, we have heard a caller inviting, “Believe in your Rabb!” and immediately believed. O our Rabb! Forgive our sins and remove our evil deeds and remind us that which we did in the past and that which we failed to do while being obliged to/take our lives with “the righteous people”. O our Rabb! Bestow us that which You have promised upon the messengers, do not disgrace us on the day of Qiyamat [Resurrection]. Indeed, You do not break Your promise”.

(Al-i Imran/190-194)

¹⁰Allah formed the heavens/universe without pillars, you see that. And He built mountains on the earth so that it might prepare a table for you/it may be suitable for agriculture and dispersed all kinds of creatures, small and large, therein. And We sent down water from the sky, thus We made grow there plant from every precious pair.

¹¹This is the formation of Allah. Now show me! What have the ones from among those that are inferior to Allah formed? Indeed, those who do wrong; act against their own good by associating others with Allah are in an explicit astray.

(Luqman/10-11)

And En’am/1, A’raf/185, Yunus/3-6.

While at the beginning of verse 3 it says, “… there are signs for the believers,” at the end it says, “… there are signs for a people who use their reason [i.e., everyone].” As is known, there are in fact signs for every intelligent person. Indeed, one verse states:

¹⁸⁵The month of Ramadan; the Qur’an was sent down in it to the people as a guide and clear explanations of the criterion and guidance. Therefore, whoever from among you witnesses this month, he should refrain from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and speaking in this month. And whoever has such a job as farmer, business, military, education/training, etc. which requires making journeys should be refraining from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and speaking for the number of the days that he was not ill and he did not make journeys or physical effort in the month of Ramadan. Allah intends ease of conduct for you, does not intend hardship. This ease of conduct; that there is no ransom, that there is a permit for those who make physical effort and who are ill is because you may enter under the guardianship of Allah and complete the count; how many days you left refraining from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and speaking to fulfill this task in the highest value, glorify Allah for He guides you and repay for the blessings Allah bestows upon you.

(Baqara/185)

The reason it says “… there are signs for the believers” at the beginning of the verse is that it is the believers—rather than the unbelievers—who benefit from these signs. We see something similar in the introduction of Surah Al-Baqara:

^2-4This book; about which there is no doubt is a guidance for those who believe in the unseen, the unheard, the unknown places, who establish Salah [establish and maintain the institutions that support financially and spiritually; enlighten the community], who spend from what We have provided for them for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance first for their relatives and then others, who believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you, who has entered under the guardianship of Allah –and they definitely believe in Akhirat [Afterlife]-.

(Baqara/2-4)

As can be seen, it is stated in Baqara/2-4 that “… is a guide for the pious” because only the pious can benefit from the Qur’an.

Verse 6:

⁶These are the Ayat of Allah which we recite to you in truth. We recite them to you in truth. Then, in what word/fact will they believe after Allah and His Ayat?

In this verse, attention is drawn to the signs emphasized in verses 3–5, and since they deny these despite all such signs and pay them no heed, it is said to these polytheists: “After Allah and His signs, which word—which fact—will they believe in now?” In effect, the message is: “Whoever does not benefit from these signs will benefit from nothing from now on, and no one can guide them to the right path.”

A similar statement appears in the last verse of Surah al-Mursalat.

⁵⁰And what statement will they believe after the Qur’an?

(Marsalat/50)

Unbelievers, who were repeatedly threatened with various punishments to make them abandon disbelief, were presented with proof, invited to reflect, and urged to hold fast to the true religion. Both verses employ an expression of amazement, highlighting the wonder at the state of those who still persist in disbelief despite all these warnings and exhortations: “After this [the Qur’an], which word will they believe?”

²¹If We had sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain/a massive creature, you would certainly have seen it sincerely respectful, humbled and coming apart out of fear in awe with respect, love and knowledge for Allah. And We present to the people these examples so they may give thought.

(Hashr/21)

Anyone who does not believe in the Qur’an—which makes sheer cliffs tremble and sets mountain ranges quaking as if by an earthquake—will not believe any word at all. The revelation of the Qur’an, which shows people the difference between truth and falsehood, is truly the greatest event. What else could guide someone who knows the Qur’an yet does not believe?

⁴⁷Thus We sent down to you the Book so those whom We had given the Book believe in the Qur’an. And among those who are other than the People of the Book/among Arabs who believe in it. And only the infidels; those who consciously conceal the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb reject Our Ayat while they know.

⁴⁸And you did not recite from any book before this; and you are not writing the Qur’an by yourself. If it had been so, those who believe in falsehood would have had doubt.

⁴⁹Rather, the Qur’an is explicit Ayat within the hearts of those who have been given knowledge. And only those who do wrong; act against their own good consciously reject Our Ayat.

⁵⁰And they said: “Why have not evidences/signs been sent down to him from his Rabb?”. Say: “Evidences/signs are only with Allah. I am only an explicit warner”.

⁵¹And is it not sufficient for them that We have revealed to you the Book that is recited to them? There is absolutely a mercy and a reminder in this for a people who believe.

(Ankabut/47-51)

Verses 7 – 10:

⁷O woe to all those liars, those who waste their time/who delay the good/who are reluctant for the good/who harm!

⁸He hears the Ayat of Allah that is recited to him, then persists in what he does out of his arrogance as if he had not heard them. Then, give him the good tidings of a painful punishment!

After condemning the foolish behavior of the polytheists—their deafness to revelation and their mockery of what they learned from the verses—this group of verses expresses their blindness and insensitivity in a threatening tone: “So give him tidings of a painful punishment. For them is a humiliating torment; beyond them lies Hell. What they have earned, and the protectors they have taken besides Allah, will not benefit them in any way. And for them is a great torment.”

Verse 11:

¹¹These warnings are a guidance. As for those who consciously deny the Ayat of their Rabb, there will be a painful punishment of the filthiest kind for them.

This verse explains that all the warnings given to prompt them to reason are, in fact, guidance for them, and that they can find the right path if they choose to take these warnings into account. Then another warning is given to those who act foolishly: “Those who disbelieve in the verses of their Lord—for them is a painful punishment of the worst kind.” What “the most painful punishment” is can be seen in the following verse.

^15-17Messengers requested victory. And every obstinate tyrant lost and suffered. And after that is Jahannah [Hell]. And he will be given a drink of purulent water. He will gulp the purulent water, he will not swallow. Death will come to him from every direction but he will never die. And a harsh punishment will come after that.

(Ibrahim/15-17)

Verse 12:

In these verses, our Lord introduces Himself by drawing attention to the fact that ships sail on the sea (for trade, travel, hunting, etc.), that all living and non-living beings have been placed at the service of humans, and that humans have been endowed with faculties such as reason and understanding so that they may make use of created things; and He thereby conveys that only societies that reflect can properly evaluate these universal signs [laws]. There are many verses in the Qur’an about the honorable status accorded to human beings:

⁷⁰And surely, We have made mankind owner of the honor and glory and carried them on vehicles on the land and at the sea and provided for them of clean-pleasant food. And We have favored them quite more than many of what We formed.

(Isra/ 70)

^71,72When your Rabb once said to the forces in the universe, ”Indeed, I am going to form a human from clay. Submit to him right away when I have proportioned him and given him knowledge”.

^73,74“Hereupon, all the forces in the universe submitted all together except Iblis/thinking ability. Iblis acted arrogantly and he was of the ignorant.”

⁷⁵Allah said: “O Iblis! What did prevent you from submitting to what I formed with my two hands/potency? Have you been arrogant? Or have you been among the haughty?

(Sad/71-75)

²⁰Do you not see that Allah has created all that is in the heavens/universe and on the earth in such structure and system so you may benefit? And Allah has spread upon you His blessings, apparent and unapparent. But among the people are those who dispute about Allah without knowledge, guidance and an enlightening book.

(Luqman/20)

The formal perfection in his creation is another aspect of man’s generosity:

^4-6indeed, We formed human in the most appropriate period of the stages of the universe’s formation, then We turned him to the lowest of the low except for those who believe and do amendatory deeds – because there is an uninterrupted reward for them -.

(Tîn/4-6)

³Allah formed the heavens/universe and the earth with the truth and proportioned you. –And how excellent He made your forms!- And only to Him is the return.

(Taghabun/3)

^12-16And indeed, We formed human from a chosen clay/elements. Then We made him a drop of semen in a very firm lodging. Then We formed an embryo from that drop of semen. Then We formed a piece of flesh from that embryo. Then We formed bones from that piece of flesh. And at the end, We clothed those bones with flesh. Then We assembled him in another formation. How generous is Allah Who is the best of those who form! Then indeed, you will die after these. Then you will definitely be resurrected on the day of Qiyamat [Resurrection].

(Muminun/14)

Man, whose creation is so perfect and whom Allah has endowed with glory, honor, and worth, later acquired evil by following the impulses of Iblis and reduced himself to “the lowest of the low.” Regarding this issue, we recommend re-reading our explanation in Surah At-Tîn.

Verses 14, 15:

^14,15Say to those who have believed: “Let them forgive those who do not expect the days when Allah will seriously punish; those who do not believe in Akhirat [Afterlife] so Allah may recompense every people with what they earned, and let them not recompense them by themselves, let them leave it to Allah. Whoever does righteous deed, it is for himself. And whoever does evil deed, it is against himself. Then you will be returned to your Rabb”.

These verses are either part of a Medinan passage or a separate segment. Indeed, classical sources such as Muqatil, al-Baghawi, and al-Khazin report them as Medinan. The fact that the passage is not directly related to the previous verses also suggests that it is a separate segment.

As understood from verse 14, the believers must have been harmed by “those who do not expect the days of Allah,” and our Lord, through His Messenger, informs them how they should behave toward these polytheists about whom they harbor negative thoughts. The behaviors our Lord commands are to restrain their resentment toward the unbelieving polytheists who do not care about Allah’s punishment, to show forbearance toward actions arising from their thoughtlessness, and to overlook the rude behavior directed at them. In summary, the message is that treating them in this way would be better for the believers.

The expression “Whoever does righteous deed, it is for himself. And whoever does evil deed, it is against himself. Then you will be returned to your Rabb” in verse 15 emphasizes that every deed of a person will be evaluated as good or bad, thus one will deserve either reward or punishment depending on the outcome of one’s choice.

⁴⁶Whoever does righteousness, does it for himself. And whoever does an evil deed, it is against him. And your Rabb is not the One Who treats the servants unjustly at all.

(Fussilat/46)

²¹And as for those who believed and descendants of whom followed them in faith; We will join their descendants with them. We will not deprive them anything of their deeds. Everyone is retained for what he earned.

(Tur/21)

There are a number of narrations regarding the revelation of these verses. The most plausible of these is the report in Qurtubi:

According to what al-Wahidi, al-Qushayri, and some others narrated from Ibn Abbas, the verse was revealed about an incident involving ʿUmar and ʿAbdullah b. Ubayy during the Banu al-Mustaliq campaign. These people camped at a well known as al-Muraysiʿ. ʿAbdullah sent his slave to bring water. When he was a little late, he asked him, “Why did you come late?” The slave replied: “ʿUmar b. al-Khattab’s slave sat by the well and did not allow anyone to fill the waterskins of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr until he had filled them. He also filled his master’s water.”

This time ʿAbdullah said: “Our situation and their situation are just like the example in the saying ‘Feed your dog so that it may eat you’ [feed the crow and it will peck out your eye].” His words reached ʿUmar. He girded on his sword with the intention of advancing on him to kill him. Allah Almighty then sent down this verse. This is ʿAtaʾ’s narration from Ibn Abbas.

Maymun b. Mihran narrated from him that Ibn Abbas said: When the command of Allah Almighty, “Who will lend to Allah a goodly loan? (Baqara/245)” was revealed, a Jew in Medina known as Finhas said: “The Lord of Muhammad has become poor.” When ʿUmar heard this, he girded his sword and set out to search for that man. Jibril (peace be upon him) came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: “Your Lord says to you: ‘Tell the believers not to pay heed to those who do not expect the days of Allah.’ Also know that ʿUmar has girded his sword and set out to search for that Jew.” Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent someone to look for ʿUmar. When ʿUmar came, he said to him: “O ʿUmar! Put down your sword.” He said: “O Messenger of Allah! You have spoken the truth. I testify that you were sent with the truth.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “My Lord says: ‘Tell the believers not to pay heed to those who do not expect the days of Allah.’” ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I will undoubtedly do so. I swear by the One who sent you with the truth, you will never see anger on my face again.”

The phrase “ayyamu llah (Allah’s days)” in the verse means the days when Allah will punish them. With the expression “ayyamu l-ʿArab (Arab days),” the Arabs describe the important events and famous battles in their history that have been remembered for centuries; they refer to notable events in Arab history.

As a result, we can say: “Ayyamu llah (days of Allah)” means “the days when Allah will punish severely.”

Verses 16, 17:

¹⁶And indeed, We gave Israelites the book, judgment; law and prophethood. And We provided them with what is pure, pleasant. And We favored them above the people of the time.

After describing the foolish behavior of the polytheists, this verse makes a reference to the Israelites, noting that they were given blessings not granted to anyone else of that age, yet they did not appreciate these blessings and were ungrateful. With this reference, believers are asked to take a lesson from the Children of Israel. The Israelites lost the distinction and blessings given to them because they deviated from the truth.

²¹³The mankind was one community with a leader, then Allah sent prophets as harbingers of tidings and warners and He also sent down with them the book with the truth so they might judge between the people over what they differed. And those who had been given the Book differed only because of their transgression between them after that many proofs had come to them. Then, pursuant to His knowledge, Allah guided the believers to the truth over which they had differed. And Allah guides whomever He wills/whoever wills to the straight path.

(Baqara/213)

¹⁵⁹Surely, those who divided their religion and have divided into groups; you are not of them in any way and behaviour. Surely, their affair is to Allah. Then Allah will inform them about what they did.

(An’am/159)

⁹³Yet those who associate others with Allah shattered their affair among themselves. All will return only to Us.

(Anbiya/93)

⁵³Then people divided their affairs among themselves. And every group rejoices and brags about what it has.

(Mu’minun/53)

Verses 18 – 20:

¹⁸Then We have made you possess an explicit roadmap/a compilation of principles of life from the own affairs of Allah Himself. Then you, follow it, do not follow vain, transitory desires of those who do not know.

²⁰The Qur’an is enlightment for mankind and a guide and mercy for a people who believe in certainty.

In these verses, the Messenger is given a clear path; he is told to follow it alone and not to follow the ignorant. If he were to deviate by yielding to the vain desires of the polytheists and attempt to alter Allah’s religion for their sake, it is stated that the polytheists would not be able to save him—they are only allies of one another—whereas Allah is the ally of the pious. Then, pointing to the Qur’an, it is emphasized that it is a source of felicity, mercy, and guidance for people.

The only right way is the way shown by Allah. Other paths are those that lead people to ruin:

^96,97Surely, We made Moses a messenger to Pharaoh and his chiefs with Our Ayat and an explicit evidence. But they obeyed the command of Pharaoh. But, the command of Pharaoh is not what makes wise/guides to the right.

(Hud/96, 97)

¹²³Then We have revealed to you: “Follow the religion/lifestyle of Abraham who had turned away from disbelief; conscious denial of the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb, from associating others with Allah and who was not among those who associated”.

(Nahl/123)

In verse 20 it is stated: “This Qur’an is insights [heart perception] for mankind, and guidance and mercy for a people who are firm believers.” The Qur’an distinguishes between truth and falsehood. However, only those communities with firm faith can benefit from its illumination, guidance, and mercy.

⁵⁷O mankind! There has come to you from your Rabb a reminder, a cure for what is within the chests, a guidance and a mercy for the believers.

(Yunus/57)

⁸²And We send down of the Qur’an which are healing and mercy for the believers. And this increases the destruction of only those who do wrong; act against their own good by associating others with Allah.

(Isra/82)

Verse 21:

²¹Or do those who commit evils think that We will make them, in their life and in their death, like those who have believed and do amendatory deeds? How evil they judge!

Our Lord posed the above question to the stubborn polytheists and conveyed the message: “If they think this way, they are mistaken. Those who do not believe and commit evil deeds will not remain unaccounted for, unquestioned, or unpunished.”

²⁸Or, do We make those who believe and do righteous deeds like those corrupters in the world? Or, do We make those who have entered under the guardianship of Allah like those who stuck in evil by disbelieving in the religion-faith?

(Sad/28)

²⁸Those who consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb are the ones whom angels remind one by one what they did in the past and what they failed to do while being obliged to as being those who treated unjustly to themselves. They will surrender now: “We did not do any evil”. Rather, Allah is the One Who knows very well what you have been doing.

“²⁹Then enter to the gates of Jahannah [Hell] as the ones who will abide therein eternally!”, it will be said. O how evil is the abode of the arrogant!

^30-32And when it is said to those who have entered under the guardianship of Allah: “What has your Rabb sent down?”, they will say: “Good”. Good is for those who produce good in this world. Yet, the home of Akhirat [Afterlife] is certainly better. And how beautiful is the home of those who have entered under the guardianship of Allah; gardens of Eden! They will enter there. Rivers flow underneath it. For them will be therein that which they wish. Thus recompense will Allah those who have entered under the guardianship of Himself. Those who have entered under the guardianship of Allah are the ones whom angels will comfort and remind one by one what they did in the past and what they failed to do while being obliged to. And they will say: “Salam [health, peace, happiness…] be upon you! Now enter Jannah [Heaven/Paradise] as the recompense of the deeds you have done!”.

(Nahl/28-32)

^38,39That day, there will be some faces that will be bright; smiling, rejoicing.

^40,41And that day, there will be some faces that will have dust-soil on them; and a soot will cover dust-soil. ⁴²And these, yes these are the ones who disbelieve; those who consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb, who stuck in evil by disbelieving in the religion-faith.

(Abasa/38-42)

And Doomsday/22-24, Pen/35, Hashr/20.

As you may remember, this issue was also included in the Surah Fussilat.

⁵⁰And if We make him taste a mercy from Us after an adversity which has touched him, he will definitely say: “This is my right. And I do not think that the moment of Qiyamat [Resurrection] will come. And if I should be returned to my Rabb, surely there will be the best for me with Him”. This is why We will indeed inform the infidels; those who consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb about what they did and We will surely make them taste of a harsh punishment.

(Fussilat/50)

^35,36And this man entered his vineyard while he was treating himself unjustly: “I do not think that this will ever perish. And I do not think that the Hour will come. And even if I would assume that I was taken to my Rabb, I would certainly find a better consequence than this”.

(Qahf/36)

¹⁸Then, is the one who has believed like the one who goes astray from the righteous path? They are not equal.

¹⁹And as for those who have believed and done amendatory deeds; the gardens of refuge will be for them as a recompense and hospitality for what they did.

^20,21And as for those who go astray from the righteous path; their final destination will be the Fire. Every time they wish to come out, they will be returned to it and it will be said to them: “Taste the punishment of the Fire that you used to deny”. No doubt, We will make them taste a portion of the great punishment, the closest punishment so perhaps they may return; they may act in accordance with the principles of Allah.

(Sajdah/18-21)

Mümin/51, 52, Pen/35, 36.

The following incident is reported in the Asbāb al-Nuzūl accounts regarding the revelation of this verse:

“This verse was revealed concerning ʿAlī, Ḥamza, and Abū ʿUbaydah ibn al-Jarrāḥ, and three polytheists—ʿUtbah, Shaybah, and al-Walīd ibn ʿUtbah. These three polytheists said to the mentioned believers: ‘By Allah, you are upon nothing true or right. And even if what you claim were true, our status and position in this world are superior to yours, and so shall it be in the Hereafter.”.^[1]

Verse 22:

²²And Allah formed the heavens/universe and the earth in truth and to recompense everyone with what he has earned. And they will not be treated unjustly.

In this verse, our Lord once again draws attention to the reason He created the heavens and the earth. God did not create this world as a pastime or amusement; rather, the creation of the universe serves a profound purpose. For this purpose, specific means and opportunities have been provided to humankind and placed at their disposal. Consequently, those who do good will be rewarded in full for their deeds, while the wrongdoers will face punishment for their oppression. Everyone will receive the complete recompense for what they have done, and no one will be treated unjustly.

⁵He is the One Who made the sun a shining light and the moon a reflected light and determined phases for the moon so that you may know the numbers and the count of the years. Allah formed this only in truth. He explains the Ayat in detail for a people who will know.

(Yunus/5)

(Al-i Imran/190- 194)

Verse 23:

In this verse, our Lord addresses all people—especially the Messenger of Allah—and urges them to reflect on those around them who worship their own delusions, live in ignorance, and whose hearts have been sealed. Through this, He conveys the message that they should be grateful for not being among those whom Allah has deprived of guidance.

The phrase “who takes his own desires as his god” refers to a person who acts solely according to their whims—doing whatever their ego desires without considering whether it is lawful (halal) or unlawful (haram) in the sight of Allah. Such a person will abstain from an action even if God commands it, simply because their soul does not desire it. This is complete submission to one’s desires. Just as unconditional submission to another person, institution, or ideology constitutes deifying them, unconditional obedience to one’s ego amounts to deifying it—and this is, without question, a form of shirk (associating partners with Allah).

The Qur’an repeatedly condemns following desires and passions as a source of misguidance and moral corruption:

¹⁷⁶And if We had willed, We could have elevated him with those Ayat but he was stuck into the ignominy and followed his desires. Now his example is like the example of the dog that pants if you chase; and still pants if you leave him alone. This is the end of those people who deny Our Ayat. Therefore, tell them this story throughout so that they may think very well.

(A’raf/176)

²⁸Keep yourself patient with those who invoke their Rabb continuously, asking for the countenance of their Rabb. Do not turn your stare away from them, desiring adornments of the simple worldly life. And you, do not follow one, heart of whom We have made careless/apathetic from Our remembrance, who follows his vain, transitory desire and whose affair is transgression.

(Qahf/28)

And Rum/29, Qasas/50, Sad/26.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Najm, it is stated that the Messenger of Allah does not speak from his own desires—that the Qur’an is not something he composed to serve his own interests, but a revelation inspired and conveyed to him by Allah.

¹Every descending of the Ayat which have descended group by group is the evidence that, ²your companion has neither gone astray nor has he transgressed. ³And he does not speak of his vain, transitory desire. ⁴What he says to you; those groups of Ayat that have descended, are nothing but the revelations which have been revealed to him. ⁵The One Who has mighty powers, Who is supreme in intelligence, Who has established the dominion has taught to your companion what he says.

(Najm/1-5)

In the Quran, those who “follow their desires” are strongly condemned, while those who are far from their desires are praised:

^40,41And as for the one who fears the position of his Rabb and prevents himself from vain, transitory desire; indeed Jannah [Heaven/Paradise] is what the refuge will be.

(Naziat/40, 41)

Verse 24:

²⁴And they said: “There is not but our this worldly life. We live and we die. Only long time manipulates/destroys us”. Yet they have no knowledge of this. They only assume.

When threatened with the Hereafter, the obstinate deniers deliberately said to the Prophet, “If what you say and warn of is true, then bring back our dead fathers.” They justified their disbelief in the reality of the Afterlife as follows: “Life is only our life in this world; we die and we live. Only dehr [long time] destroys us.” In other words: “Living and dying are merely natural processes that occur with time. Whether we live or die is tied to time and the character of the universe. The only factor that destroys us is the succession of night and day; no power or will plays any role here.” Their aim in saying this was to deny Allah, resurrection after death, and the Last Day.

Our Lord responded to them: “Yet they have no knowledge of this; they are only conjecturing.” In other words, they have no sound basis to prove that there is no life beyond this one:

²⁷Those who disbelieve in Akhirat [Afterlife] name the angels female names. ²⁸Yet, they do not have any knowledge about this matter. They only follow assumption. And assumption does not avail against the “truth” at all.

(Najm/28)

¹⁴⁸Those who associate others with Allah will say: “Had Allah willed, we would not have associated, our ancestors would not have either and we would not have forbidden anything”. Those before them were like this until they tasted Our punishment. Say: “Is there a knowledge with you that you can produce for us? You follow only assumption and you only do nonsense”.

(An’am/148)

⁶⁶Open your eyes! Indeed, whoever is in the heavens/universe and whoever is on the earth belong to Allah. And those who invoke those that are inferior to Allah do not follow those that they take as partner. They only follow assumption and they only lie.

(Yunus/66)

³⁶And most of them follow nothing but an assumption. No doubt that assumption does not avail against the “truth” at all. Indeed, Allah knows very well what they do.

(Yunus/36)

And Baqarah / 28, Ar-Rum / 27, At-Taghabun / 9, Al-Mursalat / 12–13, Hud / 104, Al-Ma’arij / 6–7.

Verse 25:

²⁵And when they were recited Our Ayat explicitly, they did not have any proof but saying: “If you are truthful, bring our ancestors”.

In this verse, attention is drawn to the obstinate disbelieving polytheists’ reasoning, ignorance, and shallowness, and it explains how unreasonable they are and how unfounded their beliefs are.

A similar verse is mentioned in the previous surah, Dukhan:

^34-36Surely, those Meccans who associate others with Allah are saying: “There is only our first death. And we will not be resurrected again. If you are truthful and true to your words, then bring our ancestors to us”.

(Dukhan/34- 36)

Verses 26, 27:

In this verse, the Prophet is taught how to respond to these foolish, ignorant, unbelieving polytheists. With this response, a new warning is given to them.

The complement of the sentence “But most people do not know” in the verse—that is, what they do not know—is omitted and not stated explicitly. The complement can be understood as follows: “But most people do not know that the power capable of creating in the first instance is also capable of creating a second time.”

With these two verses, both those who say, “Bring our ancestors if you are truthful,” and those who say, “We die and we live; only dehr [the passage of time] destroys us,” have been answered. In other words, they were informed that this matter will not occur individually; rather, one day all people will be resurrected collectively, and a time has been appointed for this.

Verses 28, 29:

After the necessary response is given to the stubborn polytheists, a terrifying scene of the Resurrection is immediately presented. In this scene, those insolent, spoiled, arrogant deniers are helpless—miserable, kneeling. It is said to them, “Today, you will be repaid for your deeds. This is Our book that speaks the truth to your faces. Surely, We had your deeds recorded—each one, exactly as it was.”

⁶⁵Today We will seal their mouths; their hands will speak to us and their feet will testify to that which they have earned.

(Ya Sin/65)

²⁴On that day, their tongues, hands and feet will bear witness against them to what they did.

(Nur/ 24)

⁶And those who take familiars who help, guide, protect from among those that are inferior to Him; Allah records that upon which they do. And you are not the one who arranges all living-non living creatures pursuant to a schedule and implements this schedule by supporting, maintaining it, upon them.

(Shura/6)

⁶²And We do not burden any one other than what he is able to; other than what is within his capacity. And with Us is a book that speaks the truth and they will not be treated unjustly.

(Muminun/62)

⁴⁹And the Book/the book of deeds will be placed. You will see the criminals fearful of it. And they will say: “O woe to us! What kind of book is this that it has enumerated all without leaving anything, small-great”. And they will find what they did present. And your Rabb does not treat anyone unjustly.

(Qahf/49)

⁶⁹And the area on that day will shine with the light of your Rabb, the book will be placed, prophets and witnesses will be brought and it will be judged between them in truth. And they will not be treated unjustly.

(Zumar/69)

And Al-Qiyāmah / 13–19, Ar-Ra‘d / 11, Qāf / 18, Al-Infitar / 9–12.

Verses 30 – 35:

³⁰As for those who believe and do amendatory deeds, their Rabb will admit them into His mercy. This is what is an explicit salvation.

³³And the evil of what they did will appear to them and that which they ridiculed will surround them.

In this group of verses, where the representative depiction of the Resurrection continues, the final scenes of the believers and the polytheists are presented. The scene about the believers is very short and to the point: “Those who believe and do righteous deeds, their Lord will place them in His mercy. This is clear salvation itself.” There are many other verses in the Qur’an regarding the fate of the pious.

In the other scene of the passage, the polytheists are confronted. They are reminded of their situation in the world: “Were not My verses recited to you, yet you became arrogant and a sinning people?” This explains why their fate is grievous. “Today, We will forget/abandon [punish] you just as you forgot the meeting of this Day of yours. Your abode is the Fire. You will have no helper. This is because you ridiculed the verses of Allah and the simple worldly life deceived you.”

^124-126Whoever avoids My remembrance, indeed he will live a hard, depressed living/life. On the day of Qiyamat [Resurrection], We will gather him blind at the gathering area. He will say: “My Rabb! Why have you brought me to this place blind whereas I was seeing?” And Allah will say: “Thus it is, you received Our Ayat but you abandoned them; and today you are being abandoned/recompensed in the same way.

(Ta Ha/124- 126)

³⁴Indeed, for those who have entered under the guardianship of Allah, there are gardens of Jannah [Heaven/Paradise] with abundant blessings with their Rabb. ³⁵Then, will we make Muslims like sinners?

(Qalam/34,35)

⁸⁴And on the day when We will bring a witness from every community, the infidels; those who consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb will not be allowed. And they will not be asked to excuse.

(Nahl/84)

And Rum/57, Fussilat/24, Sajdah/20, 21, Fatir/37.

Verses 36, 37

³⁶Then, all praise is to Allah, Rabb of the heavens/universe, Rabb of the earth and Rabb of all universes; no one else may be praised.

The surah ends with this group of verses in which our Lord introduces Himself. In these last two verses, after all the evidence presented, the following message is indirectly given to the unbelievers:

“Do not forget! All praise belongs to Allah alone. He is the Lord of the heavens, the earth, and the worlds. Sovereignty over the heavens and the earth belongs only to Him. He is absolutely invincible and the Lawgiver.”

Allah knows the truth best.

^[1] (Razi; al-Mefatih al-Ghayb)