All praise is due to Allaah, we praise Him, and seek His help and
forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah, Most High, from the evils of our own selves and
from our wicked deeds. Whoever Allaah guides, there is none who can musguide him, whoever
Allaah allows to be misguided cannot be guided. I testify that there is no true God worthy
of being worshipped except Allaah, alone, without partner or associate. I further testify
that Muhammad is His true slave and Messenger (SAAS)(1).
May Allaah's Salaah and Salaam be also granted to the Prophet's pure
family, and to all of his noble companions.
"O you believe! Fear Allaah [by doing all that He ordered and
abstaining from all that He forbade] as He should feared [Obey Him, be thankful to Him,
and remember Him always] and die not except in a state of Islaam (as Muslims with complete
submission to Allaah)." [Surah Al-i'Imraan (3) Ayat 102]
"O mankind! Be dutiful to you Rabb (Allaah) (2), Who created
you from a single person (Aadam) and from him (Aadam) He created his wife (Eve), and from
them both He created many men and women and fear Allaah through Whom you demand your
mutual (rights) and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allaah is
ever an All-Watcher over you." [Surah an-Nisa' (4) Ayat 1]
"O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him, and
speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive
you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger has indeed achieved a great
success." [Surah al-Ahzaab (33) Ayat 70-71]
It proceeds then: That the most truthful speech is that of Allaah's
Book (the Qur'aan) and that the best of guidance is that of Muhammad (SAAS). The worst of
evils are innovation (foreign to the true teachings of Islaam). Every innovated matter (in
religion) is a Bid'ah; every Bid'ah is a Dalaalah (misguidance), and every Dalaalah is in
the Fire of Hell. The Qur'aan is the Word of Allaah. The Tafseer (Exegesis) of the meaning
of the Noble Ayat (verses) of the Qur'aan is critical to the understanding of Islaam as a
whole. The Qur'aan is explained by the Qur'aan itself (3) and by the Sunnah (4) of the
Prophet (SAAS). The Salaf (5) not only transmitted the explanation of the Qur'aan, but
laid down the foundations for Ijitihaad (6) and thus their way is the best and most
reliable way of Tafseer. Philosophical and scholastic opinions dealing with the Word of
Allaah produce confusion, alterations in the meaning of the texts and thus lead astray.
The Muslim is called to follow the path of those who gained Allaah's Pleasure. They are
the Salaf, may Allaah make us follow their path in all matters of Islaam.
Considering the above, I have decided to bring closer the Salaf's
Tafseer in separate publications starting with the Tafseer of Part Thirty of the Noble
Qur'aan. This is the second issue and it deals with the Tafseer of Surah an-Naazi'aat. I
hope that this approach will be simple enough so that it will, Inshaa' Allaah, benefit a
board sector of the Muslim Ummah (Nation). I ask Allaah to accept this effort and make it
beneficial for all those who read it and (or) distribute it.
The Tafseer of Surah an-Naba' (7)
1 - "What are they asking (one another)?"
2 - "About the Great News."
The disbelievers question the occurence of the Day of Reckoning.
Allaah (SWT (8)) describes this Day as the one that brings Great News. Ibin Katheer (The
eminent scholar of Tafseer) said that most likely this News refers to the Resurrection
after death, based upon the fact that Allaah (SWT) says about it in the next ayah (verse):
3 - "About which they are in disagreement."
Mankind are divided to believers and disbelievers regarding the
occurence of this Day. Allaah (SWT) warns those who deny it, saying:
4 - "Nay, they will come to know!"
5 - "Nay, again, they will come to know!"
An emphasised and a confirmed warning for those who deny this Day
that they will certainly come to know that the Day of Resurrection is true. Allaah shows
His abilities to produce the Signs of this Day and He tells about its magnitude in the
following verses so that the people contemplate and realise that Allaah, Who is able to
bring about these Signs, is All-Able to bring life to the Dead as well as Resurrection.
Allaah (SWT) tells mankind about many aspects of His Ability and Power to create what He
wishes. For those who under-estimate Allaah and His Greatness, there is a reminder, and
for those who believe, there is an affirmation:
6 - "Have We (9) not made the earth as a bed?"
7 - "And the mountains as pegs?"
To provide cohesiveness and stability to the earth. Modern
scientific discoveries found that these pegs are driven into the ground like pegs used to
anchor a tent.
8 - "And We have created you in pairs."
Males and females, tall and short, good and bad etc. Males and
females lawfully enjoy each other (through marriage) and have children. This enjoyment is
physical as well as emotional. it provides mercy and morally abiding friendship. Allaah
(SWT) says in other Ayah in the Qur'aan:
"And among His signs is this, that He created for you wives
from among yourselves that you may find repose in them and He has put between them
affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed Signs for a people who reflect."
[Surah ar-Room (30) Ayat 21]
9 - "And have made your sleep as a thing for rest."
Sleep discontinues the motion at the end of the day. A resting time
for human efforts seekins sustenance. This is just one other Mercy of Allaah,
10 - "And have made the night as a covering (through its
darkness)."
The darkness covers you just as your garment covers your body. The
"covering" night produces a quiet environment to reside in and to become still.
11 - "And have made the day for livelihood."
Allaah produced shining light in it (from the Sun) so that people
can manage their affairs and function to produce their livelihood which He (SWT) has
already ordained for each individual in appropiate measures. In another Ayah, Allaah says:
"It is out of His Mercy that He has put for you night and day,
that you may rest therein (i.e. during the night) and that you may seek of His Bounty
(i.e. during the day), and in order that you may be grateful." [Surah
al-Qasas (28) Ayat 73]
Who, other than the Creator of Day and Night can balance their
respective course of time?
"Say (O Muhammad (SAAS)): Tell me! If Allaah made night
continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is a god besides Allaah who bring you
light? Will you not then hear?" [Surah al-Qasas (28) Ayat 71]
"Say (O Muhammad (SAAS)): Tell me! If Allaah made day
continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection who is a god besides Allaah who could
bring you night wherein you rest? Will you then not see?" [Surah al-Qasas
(28) Ayat 72]
12 - "And We have built above you seven strong (heavens)."
Seven, wide, high, firmly constructed, beautifully constructed,
beautifully built without supporting columns. Beautified with stars, planets, the sun and
the moon. The sun as a shining lamp:
13 - "And have made (therein) a Shining Lamp."
The "Lamp" illuminates the whole universe to provide light
as well as heat allowing growth, energy, etc.
14 - "And We have sent down from the rainy clouds abudant
water."
Allaah beautifully explains in another Ayah:
"Allaah is He Who sends the winds, so they raise clouds and
spread them along the sky as He wills, and then breaks them into fragments until you see
rain drops come forth from their midst! Then when He has made them fall on whom of His
slaves as He wills, lo! They rejoice!" [Surah ar-Room (30) Ayat 48]
The benefits of water are remarkable:
15 - "That We may produce therewith corn and vegetations."
Eaten by man and animals and used in various useful means.
16 - "And gardens of thick growth."
With different fruits, fragrance, tastes, smells produced in one
single piece of land! This is similar to another Ayah where Allaah (SWT) says:
"And in the earth are neighbouring tracts and gardens of vines,
and fields sown with corn, and palm trees, growing out two or three from a single stem
root, or otherwise (one stem root for every palm), watered with the same water, yet some
of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Verily in these things are Ayat (signs,
proofs, evidences, lessons) for the people who understand." [Surah ar-Ra'd
(13) Ayat 4]
All of the above Favours of Allaah are so vivid. How could the
disbelievers make use of all of these bounties and yet deny the Resurrection? Then comes
the realities: O! man don't forget that there is an appointed term for everything:
17 - "Verily the Day of Decision is a fixed time"
This time does not increase nor decrease nor it is to be postponed,
and no one knows its specific occurrence except Allaah (SWT). He says about it:
18 - "The Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and you shall
come forth in crowds (groups)."
Each Ummah (nation) will come with its respective Imams, as Allaah
(SWT) says in another Ayah in the Qur'aan:
"(And remember) the Day when We shall call together all human
beings with their (respective) Imams (their prophets, or their Holy Books like the
Qur'aan, the Torah, the Gospel, or their Records of good and bad deeds, etc.)" [Surah
al-Isra' (17) Ayat 71]
Imam Bukhari relates that Abu Hurayrah (RA) said that the Prophet
(SAAS) said: "Between the two sounds of the trumpet there will be Forty."
Somebody asked Abu Hurayrah, "Forty days?" But he refused to reply. Then he
asked, "Forty Months?" He refused to reply. Abu Hurayrah added "Then (after
this period) Allaah will send water from the sky and then the dead bodies will grow like
vegetation grows, there is nothing of the human body that does not decay except one bone;
that is the little bone at the end of the coccyx of which the human body will be recreated
on the Day of Resurrection." (10)
19 - "And the heaven shall be opened, and it will become as
gates."
Allowing the passage of descending angels.
20 - "And the mountains shall be moved away from their places
and they will be as if they were a mirage."
This is similar to the saying of Allaah (SWT) in another Ayah of the
Qur'aan:
"And you will see the mountains and think them solid, but they
shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds. The Work of Allaah, Who Perfected all
things, verily! He is All-Acquainted with what you do." [Surah an-Naml (27)
Ayat 88]
"And they ask you concerning the mountains, say: My Rabb will
blast them and scatter them as particles of dust..." [Surah Ta-Ha (20) Ayat
105]
"And the day We shall cause the mountains to pass away (like
clouds of dust)! and you will see the earth as a leveled plain, and we shall gather them
all together so as to leave not one of them behind." [Surah al-Kahf (18) Ayat
47]
People think when they see the mountains that it mounts to
something, yet it is nothing, and it will completely vanish without any remains.
21 - "Truly Hell is a place of ambush,"
22 - "A dwelling place for at-Tagh'een:"
At-Tagheen: Those who transgress the boundary limits set by Allaah
like the Kuffar (disbelievers), Mushriks (worshipping other than Allaah), hypocrites,
sinners, criminals, etc.
23 - "They will abide therein Ahqaba."
Ahqaba (pl. Huqq'b) (i.e. for ages): One after the other forever as
related by Qutadah, Al-Hassan al-Basri and other prominent scholars of the Salaf. Most of
them mentioned that each Huqq'b is eighty (80) years.
24 - "Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any
drink."
No cooling their hearts shall they find in Hell, nor a good drink to
quit their thirst. That is why Allaah (SWT) says:
25 - "Except boiling water, and dirty wound discharges (i.e.
pus, etc.)"
The dark fluid is a festering water from the sweat, tears and wounds
of the people of Hell.
26 - "An exact recompense (according to their evil
crimes)."
Allaah is All-Just. His punishment is All-Just. They will be
punished because:
27 - "For verily, they used not to look for a reckoning."
They did not believe that everything will return to Allaah and,
therefore, they did not prepare for this Day.
28 - "But they belied our Ayaat completely."
The proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations together
with the guidance shown to them by Allaah's Messengers, were faced with rejection and
denial.
29 - "And all things We have recorded in a BOOK."
Allaah (SWT) had known all the deeds of His slaves and had written
them all in a BOOK long before mankind was created. He decreed reward and punishment.
There is no sin more grave than Shirk (setting up rivals with Allaah in worship). Those
who commit Shirk have an ill opinion about Allaah. Justly, they shall receive an eternal
punishment and that is Hell.
30 - "So taste you (the results of your evil actions): No
increase shall We give you except in Torment."
It will be said to the people of Hell: taste what you are suffering.
We shall not grant you an increase except similar torment and so it shall progressively
multiply. It is related that Abdullaah Ibin Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, said:
"Allaah did not bring down on the people of fire an Ayah more severe than this
Ayah." He said they will be forever in a state of progressive increase in torment,
and Allaah is All-Just.
What about those who fear Allaah and accept the Message of Tawheed?
Allaah (SWT) describes in the following Ayat some of their
conditions:
31 - "Verily for the Mut'taqeen there will be success
(Paradise)."
The Mut'taqeen are those pious and rigtheous persons who fear
Allaah, worship none except Him (SWT) and do righteous deeds. They will end up in:
32 - "Gardens and grapeyards."
33 - "And young full-breasted (mature) maidens of equal
age."
There are young virgin women whose breasts are firm (steady on their
chests) and not loose as the breasts of women of this life.
34 - "And a full cup (of wine)."
Akrama (a great scholar of Tafseer) said that the wine of Paradise
is clear. The resemblance to the wine is only in name. It does not cause any loss of
conscious nor stomach pai and its taste and smell are good, unlike the wine of this life.
In another ayah in the Qur'aan, Allaah (SWT) says:
"Round them will be passed a cup of pure wine; White, delicious
to the drinkers, Neither they will have Ghoul (any kind of hurt, abdominal pain, headache,
a sin, etc.) form that, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom." [Surah
as-Saffaat (37) Ayat 45]
There are rivers of this kind of wine in Paradise:
"Rivers of wine delicious to those who drink."
[Surah Muhammad (47) Ayat 15]
The wine of this world is prohibited because of its known evil
effects on the individuals as well as the society. The Prophet (SAAS) said: "He
who drinks wine in this world would be deprived of it in the Hereafter, unless he
repents." (11)
35 - "No Falsehood shall they hear therein, nor lying."
It is the place of peace, nothing in it is deficient. As Allaah
(SWT) says in the another Ayah:
"No vain speaking will they hear therein, nor any sinful speech
(like backbiting, etc.), but only the saying of Salaam! Salaam! (Greeting with
peace)." [Surah al-Waaqi'ah (56) Ayat 25-26]
All of these Favours are from Allaah:
36 - "A Reward from your Rabb, a Sufficient Gift."
37 - "(From) the Rabb of the Heavens and the Earth, and
whatsoever is in between them, the Most Beneficient. None can dare to speak with Him (on
the Day of Resurrection, except with His leave)."
Allaah (SWT) tells us about His Greatness and Majesty and that He is
the Rabb of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is between them. That He is the Most
Beneficient whose Mercy encompasses everything. No one has the right or power to argue
with Alaah about anything. He is above all creation. He may permit those who plead in
truth and righteousness but only after His permission is granted as He (SWT) says:
"Who is He that can intercede with Him except with His
permission?" [Surah al-Baqarah (2) Ayat 255]
38 -"The Day that the Ruh and the angels will stand forth in
rows none shall speak except him whom the Beneficient (Allaah) allows and he will speak
what is right."
Ibin Katheer, May Allaah's Mercy be upon him, mentioned sevens
sayings about the meaning of the Ruh (Spirit): a) Jibreel, b) Speacial servants of Allaah
other than the angels, c) The souls of the children of Aadam standing forth in ranks, d)
Special creation of Allaah having the form of the children of Aadam yet they are not
angels nor humans but they eat and drink, e) A special great angel, f) The Children of
Aadam and g) The Qur'aan.
Ibin Katheer, supports the opinion that the Spririt may be the
children of Aadam. Shaykh Muhammad Ameen ash-Shanqiti (may Allaah's Mercy be upon him) in
his famous book of Tafseer, known as Adwaa' ul Bayaan (12) said that the evidence from the
Qur'aan indicates that "the Spirit is the Special Angel Jibreel." He cites as
reference, the ayah about the descension of the angels in the Night of al-Qadar in the
month of Ramadaan. Allaah (SWT) says:
"Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Jibreel) by Allaah's
Permission with all decrees." [Surah al-Qadr (97) Ayat 4]
The Ruh is Ma'toufah i.e. grammatically in conjuction with "the
angels" in the above ayah, thus indicating that the Ruh is the Speacial Angel
Jibreel, and Allaah knows best. May other Mufassir'roon (people of Tafseer) support the
conclusion that the Ruh in the above ayah is Jibreel. Others limit the Ruh to a Great
Special Angel (13). Ibin Jareer at-Tabari, in his Tafseer known as Tafseer at-Tabari (14)
said that, "...the meanings mentioned (see above), yet Allaah knows best which one it
is. There is no information that specifies that any particular one of these things
(mentioned above) is the one which is meant in the ayah (#38, above), and that there is no
supportive evidence (i.e. for any particular meaning). Ignorance about this matter is not,
therefore, harmful." Allaah knows best.
On the Day of Resurrection, only those whom Allaah permits to speak
or intercede will do so. They will speak the truth which is the witnessing of the Tawheed
of Allaah (SWT): There is no true God who deserves to be worshipped except Allaah (SWT).
39 -"That is the True Day (they denied): so whoever wills, let
him take a return to his Rabb."
A straight return to Allaah (SWT) by obeying Him in this worldly
life.
40 - "Verily! We have warned you of near Tormet, the Day when
man will see that (the deeds) which his hands have sent forth and the disbeliever will
say: 'Woe to me! Would that I were dust!"
Allaah (SWT) says in other ayah:
"And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and
your Rabb treats no one with injustice." [Surah al-Kahf (18) Ayat 49]
"On that Day man will be informed what he sent forward (of his
evil or good deeds), and what he left behind (of his good or evil traditions)."
[Surah al-Qiyaamah (75) Ayat 13]
On that Day, the disbeliever wishes that he was mere dust in this
worldly life and that he was not even created. This is when he sees the torment that
Allaah had prepared for him and when he examines his deeds written and recorded by the
angels. It is explained also that he wishes to be a mere dust when Allaah (SWT) judges
between the animal creation. There when Allaah (SWT) will make judgement for the hornless
sheep against the horned sheep. After which He (SWT) will order the animals to be dust and
it changes to dust. When this happens, the disbeliever wishes he was dust (i.e. he was an
animal)!
The meaning of this latter explanation was related in a Hadeeth by
the Prophet (SAAS): "The claimants would get their claims on the Day of
Resurrection so much so that the hornless sheep would get its claim from the horned
sheep." (15)
Summary
This Surah, the Great News, affirms the Day of Reckoning and
provides a beautiful as well as a terrifying illustration for what happens on that Day.
These are facts and ayah from Allaah for those who contemplate. May Allaah guide us to
re-examine our stand in this life in relation to His decrees and aim to comply with
command. Ameen.
Advice: Read the surah with family members, a friend, give a copy of
it to someone around you and if you remember the person who compiled the Tafseer of this
Surah...don't forget to ask Allaah to forgive him.
The One in need of the Mercy of Allaah....Saleh As-Saleh
Footnotes:
1. Salla Allaahu Aleihi Wasallam: The Salaah and Salaam of Allaah be
upon His Prophet Muhammad (SAAS). The Salaah of Allaah upon Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) is His
praise of the Prophet to the angels who are close to (but below) Allaah, the Most High,
who arose above His 'Arsh (Throne) which is above the seven skies. The angels also praise
him (SAAS). The Salaam is Allaah's safeguarding of the Prophet (SAAS) from defeciencies
and any kind of evil. When the Muslims says Salla Allaahu Aleihi Wasallam, he invokes
Allaah to grant Praise and Security to the Prophet Muhammad (SAAS). See Ibnul Qayyim's
Jallaa'ul Afhaam Fee Fadlis-Salaati-wa-Salaam 'Alaa Muhammadin Kairil 'Anaam, p.128.
Published by Daar ibn Katheer, Damascus, and Maktabat Daar At-Turaath, Al-Madeenah,
1408HJ/1988.
2. Rabb: Allaah is ar-Rabb: He is the One Who gave all things the
power to grow, to move and to change, to Whom belongs the Creation and the Commandment,
The Master Who has no equal in His Sovereignty, Predominance, and Highness, The One Who
Provides and Sustains all that exists.
3. Some Ayat in some Surahs (Chapters) are clearly understood in
light of other ayat in other parts of the Qur'aan.
4. Sunnah: includes the sayings, explanations, rulings,
recommendations, advice, approvals, actions and teachings by the Prophet Muhammad (SAAS)
pertaining to all matters of Islaam. The Sunnah is an Inspiration from Allaah as stated in
the Qur'aan:
"Nor does he (Muhammad) speak of (his own) desire. It is only
an Inspiration that is inspired." Surah an-Najm (53) Ayat 3-4
5. Comprises the companions of the Prophet (SAAS) and those who
follow their path in understanding Islaam up to the Day of Resurrection.
6. Ijitihaad: Deducing the meaning of certain texts (or rulings)
where there is no clear proof from the Qur'aan and (or) the Sunnah. The essentials of this
Islaamic science is still based, however, on relevant texts of the Qur'aan and (or)
Sunnah.
7. Say it is the Qur'aan that Allaah (SWT) sent down to Muhammad
(SAAS) which calls mankind to the believe in the Oneness of Allaah (Tawheed) and informs
about Death and Resurrection. The disbelievers disputed about Muhammad (SAAS) and the
Message that was Revealed to Him. They questioned: What is he reciting? where did he bring
this Qur'aan. Some said it is magic, others said it is poetry and some considered it
stories from the past! They asked each other many questions, including questions about the
Day of Reckoning! Allaah Revealed: "What are they asking (one another)!" - THE
GREAT NEWS.
8. SWT: Subhanahu Wata'la, Most Glorified & Most High, He is.
9. One may notice that sometimes Allaah Who is One refers to Himself
by We or Us. This is not an indication of different "personalities" or
"forms" of Allaah as it is the case in the Trinity concept of the Catholic
Church. Allaah (God) is One. The use of We and Us is always associated with verses
referring to Allaah's Greatness in His Lordship e.g. Creation, Power, Might, etc... This
is very common in the Arabic Language. a king issues orders or statements by saying
"We" or "Us". The Power and might of any king is imperfect. Allaah
Glorification of Himself is Perfect because He is Perfect. In His address to mankind by
calling them to direct their worship to Him, Allaah always refers to Himself by I, Me and
Myself. All of this is well understood in Arabic and also in other Semetic languages. Even
in English, there is the "Royal We and Us" as we hear it from statements by
members of the Royal Family in England and elsewhere. To Allaah, however, belongs the Best
Examples, Names, Attributes, and Actions.
10. Saheeh al-Bukhari (English-Arabic) V.6, Hadeeth #457, P.429,
Published by Dar al-Arabia, Beirut, Lebanon.
11. Collected by Imam Muslim in his book known as Saheeh Muslim
(English Translation by A.H.Siddiqui), V.3, Hadeeth #4969. See also # 4967.
12. Adwaa' ul Bayaan (Arabic Text), V.9, P.16 Published by Maktabat
Ibin Taymeeyah - Cairo.
13. This has been related to the great Sahabi (companion of the
Prophet (SAAS)) Ibin Ab'bass as in the Tafseer of al-Baghawi (Arabic), V.8, P.317,
Published by Daar Tayybah-Riyadh, KSA.
14. Tafseer at-Tabari, 30/23.
15. Saheeh Muslim, V.4, Hadeeth # 6252, P.1366
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