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Saba'

Surah 34 · 54 verses
1-10 · 11-20 · 21-30 · 31-40 · 41-50 · 51-54
31

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِى بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ مَوۡقُوفُونَ عِندَ رَبِّہِمۡ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ

And those who disbelieve say, "We will never believe in this Qur’an nor in that before it." But if you could see when the wrongdoers are made to stand before their Lord, refuting each other's words… Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, "If not for you, we would have been believers."

Tafsir

How the Disbelievers asked about when the Resurrection would happen, and the Response to Them Allah tells us how the disbelievers believed it unlikely that the Hour would ever come to pass:

﴿ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡوَعۡدُ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ ﴾

(And they say: "When is this promise if you are truthful'') This is like the Ayah:

﴿ يَسۡتَعۡجِلُ بِہَا ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِہَا‌ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مُشۡفِقُونَ مِنۡہَا وَيَعۡلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا ٱلۡحَقُّ‌ۗ ﴾

(Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth...) (42:18) Then Allah says:

﴿ قُل لَّكُم مِّيعَادُ يَوۡمٍ۬ لَّا تَسۡتَـٔۡخِرُونَ عَنۡهُ سَاعَةً۬ وَلَا تَسۡتَقۡدِمُونَ ﴾

(Say: "The appointment to you is for a Day, which you cannot for an hour move back nor forward.'') meaning, `you have an appointed time which is fixed and cannot be changed or altered. When it comes, you will not be able to put it back or bring it forward,' as Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ أَجَلَ ٱللَّهِ إِذَا جَآءَ لَا يُؤَخَّرُ‌ۖ ﴾

(Verily, the term of Allah when it comes, cannot be delayed) (71:4).

﴿ وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا لِأَجَلٍ۬ مَّعۡدُودٍ۬ • يَوۡمَ يَأۡتِ لَا تَڪَلَّمُ نَفۡسٌ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦ‌ۚ فَمِنۡهُمۡ شَقِىٌّ۬ وَسَعِيدٌ۬ ﴾

(And We delay it only for a term (already) fixed. On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.) (11:104-105).

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِى بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ مَوۡقُوفُونَ عِندَ رَبِّہِمۡ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ • قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُوٓاْ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ • وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬اۚ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(31. And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it.'' But if you could see when the wrongdoers are made to stand before their Lord, how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!'') (32. And those who were arrogant will say to those who were deemed weak: "Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you Nay, but you were criminals.'') (33. Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day, when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!'' And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment. And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they requited aught except what they used to do)

32

قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُوٓاْ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ

Those who were arrogant will say to those who were oppressed, "Did we avert you from guidance after it had come to you? Rather, you were criminals."

Tafsir

How the Disbelievers asked about when the Resurrection would happen, and the Response to Them Allah tells us how the disbelievers believed it unlikely that the Hour would ever come to pass:

﴿ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡوَعۡدُ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ ﴾

(And they say: "When is this promise if you are truthful'') This is like the Ayah:

﴿ يَسۡتَعۡجِلُ بِہَا ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِہَا‌ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مُشۡفِقُونَ مِنۡہَا وَيَعۡلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا ٱلۡحَقُّ‌ۗ ﴾

(Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth...) (42:18) Then Allah says:

﴿ قُل لَّكُم مِّيعَادُ يَوۡمٍ۬ لَّا تَسۡتَـٔۡخِرُونَ عَنۡهُ سَاعَةً۬ وَلَا تَسۡتَقۡدِمُونَ ﴾

(Say: "The appointment to you is for a Day, which you cannot for an hour move back nor forward.'') meaning, `you have an appointed time which is fixed and cannot be changed or altered. When it comes, you will not be able to put it back or bring it forward,' as Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ أَجَلَ ٱللَّهِ إِذَا جَآءَ لَا يُؤَخَّرُ‌ۖ ﴾

(Verily, the term of Allah when it comes, cannot be delayed) (71:4).

﴿ وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا لِأَجَلٍ۬ مَّعۡدُودٍ۬ • يَوۡمَ يَأۡتِ لَا تَڪَلَّمُ نَفۡسٌ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦ‌ۚ فَمِنۡهُمۡ شَقِىٌّ۬ وَسَعِيدٌ۬ ﴾

(And We delay it only for a term (already) fixed. On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.) (11:104-105).

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِى بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ مَوۡقُوفُونَ عِندَ رَبِّہِمۡ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ • قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُوٓاْ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ • وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬اۚ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(31. And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it.'' But if you could see when the wrongdoers are made to stand before their Lord, how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!'') (32. And those who were arrogant will say to those who were deemed weak: "Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you Nay, but you were criminals.'') (33. Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day, when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!'' And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment. And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they requited aught except what they used to do)

33

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬اۚ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, "Rather, [it was your] conspiracy of night and day when you were ordering us to disbelieve in Allah and attribute to Him equals." But they will [all] confide regret when they see the punishment; and We will put shackles on the necks of those who disbelieved. Will they be recompensed except for what they used to do?

Tafsir

How the Disbelievers asked about when the Resurrection would happen, and the Response to Them Allah tells us how the disbelievers believed it unlikely that the Hour would ever come to pass:

﴿ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡوَعۡدُ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ ﴾

(And they say: "When is this promise if you are truthful'') This is like the Ayah:

﴿ يَسۡتَعۡجِلُ بِہَا ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِہَا‌ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مُشۡفِقُونَ مِنۡہَا وَيَعۡلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا ٱلۡحَقُّ‌ۗ ﴾

(Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth...) (42:18) Then Allah says:

﴿ قُل لَّكُم مِّيعَادُ يَوۡمٍ۬ لَّا تَسۡتَـٔۡخِرُونَ عَنۡهُ سَاعَةً۬ وَلَا تَسۡتَقۡدِمُونَ ﴾

(Say: "The appointment to you is for a Day, which you cannot for an hour move back nor forward.'') meaning, `you have an appointed time which is fixed and cannot be changed or altered. When it comes, you will not be able to put it back or bring it forward,' as Allah says:

﴿ إِنَّ أَجَلَ ٱللَّهِ إِذَا جَآءَ لَا يُؤَخَّرُ‌ۖ ﴾

(Verily, the term of Allah when it comes, cannot be delayed) (71:4).

﴿ وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا لِأَجَلٍ۬ مَّعۡدُودٍ۬ • يَوۡمَ يَأۡتِ لَا تَڪَلَّمُ نَفۡسٌ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦ‌ۚ فَمِنۡهُمۡ شَقِىٌّ۬ وَسَعِيدٌ۬ ﴾

(And We delay it only for a term (already) fixed. On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.) (11:104-105).

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِى بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ مَوۡقُوفُونَ عِندَ رَبِّہِمۡ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ • قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُوٓاْ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ • وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬اۚ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(31. And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it.'' But if you could see when the wrongdoers are made to stand before their Lord, how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!'') (32. And those who were arrogant will say to those who were deemed weak: "Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you Nay, but you were criminals.'') (33. Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day, when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!'' And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment. And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they requited aught except what they used to do)

34

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ

And We did not send into a city any warner except that its affluent said, "Indeed we, in that with which you were sent, are disbelievers."

Tafsir

How the Disbelievers have agreed in this World to deny the Truth, and how They will dispute with One Another on the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us about the excessive wrongdoing and stubbornness of the disbelievers, and their insistence on not believing in the Holy Qur'an and what it tells them about the Resurrection. Allah says:

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِى بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ ﴾

(And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it.'') Allah threatens them and warns them of the humiliating position they will be in before Him, arguing and disputing with one another:

﴿ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ ﴾

(how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak) this refers to the followers --

﴿ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ ﴾

to those who were arrogant -- this refers to the leaders and masters --

﴿ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!) meaning, `if you had not stopped us, we would have followed the Messengers and believed in what they brought.' Their leaders and masters, those who were arrogant, will say to them:

﴿ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ ﴾

(Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you) meaning, `we did nothing more to you than to call you, and you followed us without any evidence or proof, and you went against the evidence and proof which the Messengers brought because of your own desires; it was your own choice.' They will say:

﴿ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ • وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

("...Nay, but you were criminals.'' Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day...'') meaning, `you used to plot against us night and day, tempting us with promises and false hopes, and telling us that we were truly guided and that we were following something, but all of that was falsehood and manifest lies.' Qatadah and Ibn Zayd said:

﴿ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

(Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day,) means, "You plotted by night and day.'' Malik narrated something similar from Zayd bin Aslam.

﴿ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬اۚ ﴾

(when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!) means, `to set up gods as equal to Him, and you created doubts and confusion in our minds, and you fabricated far-fetched ideas with which to lead us astray.'

﴿ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ﴾

(And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment.) means, both the leaders and the followers will feel regret for what they did previously.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ ﴾

(And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved.) This is a chain which will tie their hands to their necks.

﴿ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(Are they requited aught except what they used to do) means, they will be punished according to their deeds: the leaders will be punished according to what they did, and the followers will be punished according to what they did.

﴿ قَالَ لِكُلٍّ۬ ضِعۡفٌ۬ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(He will say: "For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.'') (7:38). Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَّا سِيقَ إِلَيْهَا أَهْلُهَا تَلَقَّاهُمْ لَهَبُهَا، ثُمَّ لَفَحَتْهُمْ لَفْحَةً فَلَمْ يَبْقَ لَحْمٌ إِلَّا سَقَطَ عَلَى الْعُرْقُوب »

(When the people of Hell are driven towards it, it will meet them with its flames, then the Fire will burn their faces and the flesh will all fall to their hamstrings.)''

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ • وَقَالُواْ نَحۡنُ أَڪۡثَرُ أَمۡوَٲلاً۬ وَأَوۡلَـٰدً۬ا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ • وَمَآ أَمۡوَٲلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡغُرُفَـٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ • وَٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡعَوۡنَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا مُعَـٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُ ۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۖ ۥ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(34. And We did not send a warner to a township but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: "We believe not in what you have been sent with.'') (35. And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.'') (36. Say: "Verily, my Lord expands the provision to whom He wills and restricts, but most men know not.'') (37. And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he who believes, and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be multiple rewards for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.) (38. And those who strive against Our Ayat, to frustrate them, they will be brought to the torment.) (39. Say: "Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.")

35

وَقَالُواْ نَحۡنُ أَڪۡثَرُ أَمۡوَٲلاً۬ وَأَوۡلَـٰدً۬ا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ

And they said, "We are more [than the believers] in wealth and children, and we are not to be punished."

Tafsir

How the Disbelievers have agreed in this World to deny the Truth, and how They will dispute with One Another on the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us about the excessive wrongdoing and stubbornness of the disbelievers, and their insistence on not believing in the Holy Qur'an and what it tells them about the Resurrection. Allah says:

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِى بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ ﴾

(And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it.'') Allah threatens them and warns them of the humiliating position they will be in before Him, arguing and disputing with one another:

﴿ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ ﴾

(how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak) this refers to the followers --

﴿ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ ﴾

to those who were arrogant -- this refers to the leaders and masters --

﴿ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!) meaning, `if you had not stopped us, we would have followed the Messengers and believed in what they brought.' Their leaders and masters, those who were arrogant, will say to them:

﴿ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ ﴾

(Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you) meaning, `we did nothing more to you than to call you, and you followed us without any evidence or proof, and you went against the evidence and proof which the Messengers brought because of your own desires; it was your own choice.' They will say:

﴿ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ • وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

("...Nay, but you were criminals.'' Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day...'') meaning, `you used to plot against us night and day, tempting us with promises and false hopes, and telling us that we were truly guided and that we were following something, but all of that was falsehood and manifest lies.' Qatadah and Ibn Zayd said:

﴿ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

(Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day,) means, "You plotted by night and day.'' Malik narrated something similar from Zayd bin Aslam.

﴿ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬اۚ ﴾

(when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!) means, `to set up gods as equal to Him, and you created doubts and confusion in our minds, and you fabricated far-fetched ideas with which to lead us astray.'

﴿ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ﴾

(And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment.) means, both the leaders and the followers will feel regret for what they did previously.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ ﴾

(And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved.) This is a chain which will tie their hands to their necks.

﴿ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(Are they requited aught except what they used to do) means, they will be punished according to their deeds: the leaders will be punished according to what they did, and the followers will be punished according to what they did.

﴿ قَالَ لِكُلٍّ۬ ضِعۡفٌ۬ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(He will say: "For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.'') (7:38). Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَّا سِيقَ إِلَيْهَا أَهْلُهَا تَلَقَّاهُمْ لَهَبُهَا، ثُمَّ لَفَحَتْهُمْ لَفْحَةً فَلَمْ يَبْقَ لَحْمٌ إِلَّا سَقَطَ عَلَى الْعُرْقُوب »

(When the people of Hell are driven towards it, it will meet them with its flames, then the Fire will burn their faces and the flesh will all fall to their hamstrings.)''

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ • وَقَالُواْ نَحۡنُ أَڪۡثَرُ أَمۡوَٲلاً۬ وَأَوۡلَـٰدً۬ا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ • وَمَآ أَمۡوَٲلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡغُرُفَـٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ • وَٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡعَوۡنَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا مُعَـٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُ ۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۖ ۥ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(34. And We did not send a warner to a township but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: "We believe not in what you have been sent with.'') (35. And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.'') (36. Say: "Verily, my Lord expands the provision to whom He wills and restricts, but most men know not.'') (37. And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he who believes, and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be multiple rewards for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.) (38. And those who strive against Our Ayat, to frustrate them, they will be brought to the torment.) (39. Say: "Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.")

36

قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

Say, “Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it], but most of the people do not know."

Tafsir

How the Disbelievers have agreed in this World to deny the Truth, and how They will dispute with One Another on the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us about the excessive wrongdoing and stubbornness of the disbelievers, and their insistence on not believing in the Holy Qur'an and what it tells them about the Resurrection. Allah says:

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِى بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ ﴾

(And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it.'') Allah threatens them and warns them of the humiliating position they will be in before Him, arguing and disputing with one another:

﴿ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ ﴾

(how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak) this refers to the followers --

﴿ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ ﴾

to those who were arrogant -- this refers to the leaders and masters --

﴿ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!) meaning, `if you had not stopped us, we would have followed the Messengers and believed in what they brought.' Their leaders and masters, those who were arrogant, will say to them:

﴿ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ ﴾

(Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you) meaning, `we did nothing more to you than to call you, and you followed us without any evidence or proof, and you went against the evidence and proof which the Messengers brought because of your own desires; it was your own choice.' They will say:

﴿ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ • وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

("...Nay, but you were criminals.'' Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day...'') meaning, `you used to plot against us night and day, tempting us with promises and false hopes, and telling us that we were truly guided and that we were following something, but all of that was falsehood and manifest lies.' Qatadah and Ibn Zayd said:

﴿ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

(Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day,) means, "You plotted by night and day.'' Malik narrated something similar from Zayd bin Aslam.

﴿ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬اۚ ﴾

(when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!) means, `to set up gods as equal to Him, and you created doubts and confusion in our minds, and you fabricated far-fetched ideas with which to lead us astray.'

﴿ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ﴾

(And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment.) means, both the leaders and the followers will feel regret for what they did previously.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ ﴾

(And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved.) This is a chain which will tie their hands to their necks.

﴿ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(Are they requited aught except what they used to do) means, they will be punished according to their deeds: the leaders will be punished according to what they did, and the followers will be punished according to what they did.

﴿ قَالَ لِكُلٍّ۬ ضِعۡفٌ۬ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(He will say: "For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.'') (7:38). Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَّا سِيقَ إِلَيْهَا أَهْلُهَا تَلَقَّاهُمْ لَهَبُهَا، ثُمَّ لَفَحَتْهُمْ لَفْحَةً فَلَمْ يَبْقَ لَحْمٌ إِلَّا سَقَطَ عَلَى الْعُرْقُوب »

(When the people of Hell are driven towards it, it will meet them with its flames, then the Fire will burn their faces and the flesh will all fall to their hamstrings.)''

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ • وَقَالُواْ نَحۡنُ أَڪۡثَرُ أَمۡوَٲلاً۬ وَأَوۡلَـٰدً۬ا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ • وَمَآ أَمۡوَٲلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡغُرُفَـٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ • وَٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡعَوۡنَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا مُعَـٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُ ۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۖ ۥ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(34. And We did not send a warner to a township but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: "We believe not in what you have been sent with.'') (35. And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.'') (36. Say: "Verily, my Lord expands the provision to whom He wills and restricts, but most men know not.'') (37. And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he who believes, and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be multiple rewards for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.) (38. And those who strive against Our Ayat, to frustrate them, they will be brought to the torment.) (39. Say: "Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.")

37

وَمَآ أَمۡوَٲلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡغُرُفَـٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ

And it is not your wealth or your children that bring you nearer to Us in position, but it is [by being] one who has believed and done righteousness. For them there will be the double reward for what they did, and they will be in the upper chambers [of Paradise], safe [and secure].

Tafsir

How the Disbelievers have agreed in this World to deny the Truth, and how They will dispute with One Another on the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us about the excessive wrongdoing and stubbornness of the disbelievers, and their insistence on not believing in the Holy Qur'an and what it tells them about the Resurrection. Allah says:

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِى بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ ﴾

(And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it.'') Allah threatens them and warns them of the humiliating position they will be in before Him, arguing and disputing with one another:

﴿ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ ﴾

(how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak) this refers to the followers --

﴿ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ ﴾

to those who were arrogant -- this refers to the leaders and masters --

﴿ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!) meaning, `if you had not stopped us, we would have followed the Messengers and believed in what they brought.' Their leaders and masters, those who were arrogant, will say to them:

﴿ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ ﴾

(Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you) meaning, `we did nothing more to you than to call you, and you followed us without any evidence or proof, and you went against the evidence and proof which the Messengers brought because of your own desires; it was your own choice.' They will say:

﴿ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ • وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

("...Nay, but you were criminals.'' Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day...'') meaning, `you used to plot against us night and day, tempting us with promises and false hopes, and telling us that we were truly guided and that we were following something, but all of that was falsehood and manifest lies.' Qatadah and Ibn Zayd said:

﴿ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

(Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day,) means, "You plotted by night and day.'' Malik narrated something similar from Zayd bin Aslam.

﴿ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬اۚ ﴾

(when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!) means, `to set up gods as equal to Him, and you created doubts and confusion in our minds, and you fabricated far-fetched ideas with which to lead us astray.'

﴿ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ﴾

(And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment.) means, both the leaders and the followers will feel regret for what they did previously.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ ﴾

(And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved.) This is a chain which will tie their hands to their necks.

﴿ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(Are they requited aught except what they used to do) means, they will be punished according to their deeds: the leaders will be punished according to what they did, and the followers will be punished according to what they did.

﴿ قَالَ لِكُلٍّ۬ ضِعۡفٌ۬ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(He will say: "For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.'') (7:38). Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَّا سِيقَ إِلَيْهَا أَهْلُهَا تَلَقَّاهُمْ لَهَبُهَا، ثُمَّ لَفَحَتْهُمْ لَفْحَةً فَلَمْ يَبْقَ لَحْمٌ إِلَّا سَقَطَ عَلَى الْعُرْقُوب »

(When the people of Hell are driven towards it, it will meet them with its flames, then the Fire will burn their faces and the flesh will all fall to their hamstrings.)''

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ • وَقَالُواْ نَحۡنُ أَڪۡثَرُ أَمۡوَٲلاً۬ وَأَوۡلَـٰدً۬ا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ • وَمَآ أَمۡوَٲلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡغُرُفَـٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ • وَٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡعَوۡنَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا مُعَـٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُ ۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۖ ۥ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(34. And We did not send a warner to a township but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: "We believe not in what you have been sent with.'') (35. And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.'') (36. Say: "Verily, my Lord expands the provision to whom He wills and restricts, but most men know not.'') (37. And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he who believes, and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be multiple rewards for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.) (38. And those who strive against Our Ayat, to frustrate them, they will be brought to the torment.) (39. Say: "Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.")

38

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡعَوۡنَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا مُعَـٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ

And the ones who strive against Our verses to cause [them] failure – those will be brought into the punishment [to remain].

Tafsir

How the Disbelievers have agreed in this World to deny the Truth, and how They will dispute with One Another on the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us about the excessive wrongdoing and stubbornness of the disbelievers, and their insistence on not believing in the Holy Qur'an and what it tells them about the Resurrection. Allah says:

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِى بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ ﴾

(And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it.'') Allah threatens them and warns them of the humiliating position they will be in before Him, arguing and disputing with one another:

﴿ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ ﴾

(how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak) this refers to the followers --

﴿ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ ﴾

to those who were arrogant -- this refers to the leaders and masters --

﴿ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!) meaning, `if you had not stopped us, we would have followed the Messengers and believed in what they brought.' Their leaders and masters, those who were arrogant, will say to them:

﴿ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ ﴾

(Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you) meaning, `we did nothing more to you than to call you, and you followed us without any evidence or proof, and you went against the evidence and proof which the Messengers brought because of your own desires; it was your own choice.' They will say:

﴿ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ • وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

("...Nay, but you were criminals.'' Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day...'') meaning, `you used to plot against us night and day, tempting us with promises and false hopes, and telling us that we were truly guided and that we were following something, but all of that was falsehood and manifest lies.' Qatadah and Ibn Zayd said:

﴿ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

(Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day,) means, "You plotted by night and day.'' Malik narrated something similar from Zayd bin Aslam.

﴿ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬اۚ ﴾

(when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!) means, `to set up gods as equal to Him, and you created doubts and confusion in our minds, and you fabricated far-fetched ideas with which to lead us astray.'

﴿ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ﴾

(And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment.) means, both the leaders and the followers will feel regret for what they did previously.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ ﴾

(And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved.) This is a chain which will tie their hands to their necks.

﴿ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(Are they requited aught except what they used to do) means, they will be punished according to their deeds: the leaders will be punished according to what they did, and the followers will be punished according to what they did.

﴿ قَالَ لِكُلٍّ۬ ضِعۡفٌ۬ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(He will say: "For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.'') (7:38). Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَّا سِيقَ إِلَيْهَا أَهْلُهَا تَلَقَّاهُمْ لَهَبُهَا، ثُمَّ لَفَحَتْهُمْ لَفْحَةً فَلَمْ يَبْقَ لَحْمٌ إِلَّا سَقَطَ عَلَى الْعُرْقُوب »

(When the people of Hell are driven towards it, it will meet them with its flames, then the Fire will burn their faces and the flesh will all fall to their hamstrings.)''

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ • وَقَالُواْ نَحۡنُ أَڪۡثَرُ أَمۡوَٲلاً۬ وَأَوۡلَـٰدً۬ا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ • وَمَآ أَمۡوَٲلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡغُرُفَـٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ • وَٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡعَوۡنَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا مُعَـٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُ ۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۖ ۥ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(34. And We did not send a warner to a township but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: "We believe not in what you have been sent with.'') (35. And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.'') (36. Say: "Verily, my Lord expands the provision to whom He wills and restricts, but most men know not.'') (37. And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he who believes, and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be multiple rewards for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.) (38. And those who strive against Our Ayat, to frustrate them, they will be brought to the torment.) (39. Say: "Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.")

39

قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُ ۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۖ ۥ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲزِقِينَ

Say, "Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers."

Tafsir

How the Disbelievers have agreed in this World to deny the Truth, and how They will dispute with One Another on the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us about the excessive wrongdoing and stubbornness of the disbelievers, and their insistence on not believing in the Holy Qur'an and what it tells them about the Resurrection. Allah says:

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِى بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ ﴾

(And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it.'') Allah threatens them and warns them of the humiliating position they will be in before Him, arguing and disputing with one another:

﴿ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ ﴾

(how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak) this refers to the followers --

﴿ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ ﴾

to those who were arrogant -- this refers to the leaders and masters --

﴿ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!) meaning, `if you had not stopped us, we would have followed the Messengers and believed in what they brought.' Their leaders and masters, those who were arrogant, will say to them:

﴿ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ ﴾

(Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you) meaning, `we did nothing more to you than to call you, and you followed us without any evidence or proof, and you went against the evidence and proof which the Messengers brought because of your own desires; it was your own choice.' They will say:

﴿ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ • وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

("...Nay, but you were criminals.'' Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day...'') meaning, `you used to plot against us night and day, tempting us with promises and false hopes, and telling us that we were truly guided and that we were following something, but all of that was falsehood and manifest lies.' Qatadah and Ibn Zayd said:

﴿ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ﴾

(Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day,) means, "You plotted by night and day.'' Malik narrated something similar from Zayd bin Aslam.

﴿ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬اۚ ﴾

(when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!) means, `to set up gods as equal to Him, and you created doubts and confusion in our minds, and you fabricated far-fetched ideas with which to lead us astray.'

﴿ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ﴾

(And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment.) means, both the leaders and the followers will feel regret for what they did previously.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ فِىٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ ﴾

(And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved.) This is a chain which will tie their hands to their necks.

﴿ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(Are they requited aught except what they used to do) means, they will be punished according to their deeds: the leaders will be punished according to what they did, and the followers will be punished according to what they did.

﴿ قَالَ لِكُلٍّ۬ ضِعۡفٌ۬ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(He will say: "For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.'') (7:38). Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), said, "The Messenger of Allah said:

« إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَّا سِيقَ إِلَيْهَا أَهْلُهَا تَلَقَّاهُمْ لَهَبُهَا، ثُمَّ لَفَحَتْهُمْ لَفْحَةً فَلَمْ يَبْقَ لَحْمٌ إِلَّا سَقَطَ عَلَى الْعُرْقُوب »

(When the people of Hell are driven towards it, it will meet them with its flames, then the Fire will burn their faces and the flesh will all fall to their hamstrings.)''

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ • وَقَالُواْ نَحۡنُ أَڪۡثَرُ أَمۡوَٲلاً۬ وَأَوۡلَـٰدً۬ا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ • وَمَآ أَمۡوَٲلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡغُرُفَـٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ • وَٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡعَوۡنَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا مُعَـٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ • قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُ ۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۖ ۥ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(34. And We did not send a warner to a township but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: "We believe not in what you have been sent with.'') (35. And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.'') (36. Say: "Verily, my Lord expands the provision to whom He wills and restricts, but most men know not.'') (37. And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he who believes, and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be multiple rewards for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.) (38. And those who strive against Our Ayat, to frustrate them, they will be brought to the torment.) (39. Say: "Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.")

40

وَيَوۡمَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ جَمِيعً۬ا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ أَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِيَّاكُمۡ ڪَانُواْ يَعۡبُدُونَ

And [mention] the Day when He will gather them all and then say to the angels, "Did these [people] used to worship you?"

Tafsir

How Those Who lived a Life of Luxury disbelieved in the Messengers and were misled by Their pursuit of Wealth and Children

Allah is consoling His Prophet and commanding him to follow the example of the Messengers that came before him. He tells him that no Prophet was ever sent to a township but those among its people who lived a life of luxury disbelieved in him, and the weaker people of the town followed him. The people of Nuh (peace be upon him) said to him:

﴿ أَنُؤۡمِنُ لَكَ وَٱتَّبَعَكَ ٱلۡأَرۡذَلُونَ ﴾

(Shall we believe in you, when the weakest (of the people) follow you) (26:110)

﴿ وَمَا نَرَٮٰكَ ٱتَّبَعَكَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِىَ ٱلرَّأۡىِ ﴾

(nor do we see any follow you but the meanest among us and they (too) followed you without thinking) (11:27). The leaders among the people of Salih said:

﴿ قَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَڪۡبَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِمَنۡ ءَامَنَ مِنۡہُمۡ أَتَعۡلَمُونَ أَنَّ صَـٰلِحً۬ا مُّرۡسَلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ‌ۚ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلَ بِهِۦ مُؤۡمِنُونَ • قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَڪۡبَرُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِٱلَّذِىٓ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ ﴾

(to those who were counted weak -- to such of them as believed: "Know you that Salih is one sent from his Lord.'' They said: "We indeed believe in that with which he has been sent.'' Those who were arrogant said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that which you believe in.'') (7:75-76). And Allah said:

﴿ وَڪَذَٲلِكَ فَتَنَّا بَعۡضَہُم بِبَعۡضٍ۬ لِّيَقُولُوٓاْ أَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡهِم مِّنۢ بَيۡنِنَآ‌ۗ أَلَيۡسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعۡلَمَ بِٱلشَّـٰڪِرِينَ ﴾

(Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: "Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored from among us'' Does not Allah know best those who are grateful) (6:53),

﴿ وَكَذَٲلِكَ جَعَلۡنَا فِى كُلِّ قَرۡيَةٍ أَڪَـٰبِرَ مُجۡرِمِيهَا لِيَمۡڪُرُواْ فِيهَا‌ۖ ﴾

(And thus We have set up in every town great ones of its wicked people to plot therein) (6:123), and

﴿ وَإِذَآ أَرَدۡنَآ أَن نُّہۡلِكَ قَرۡيَةً أَمَرۡنَا مُتۡرَفِيہَا فَفَسَقُواْ فِيہَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيۡہَا ٱلۡقَوۡلُ فَدَمَّرۡنَـٰهَا تَدۡمِيرً۬ا ﴾

(And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order to those among them who lead a life of luxury. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the Word (of torment) is justified against it (them). Then We destroy it with complete destruction) (17:16). And Allah says here:

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ ﴾

And We did not send a warner to a township meaning a Prophet or a Messenger,

﴿ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ ﴾

(but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them) means, those who enjoyed a life of riches and luxury, and positions of leadership. Qatadah said, "They are their tyrants, chiefs and leaders in evil.''

﴿ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ ﴾

(We believe not in the (Message) with which you have been sent.) means, `we do not believe in it and we will not follow it.' Allah tells us that those who enjoyed a life of luxury and who disbelieved the Messengers said:

﴿ وَقَالُواْ نَحۡنُ أَڪۡثَرُ أَمۡوَٲلاً۬ وَأَوۡلَـٰدً۬ا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ ﴾

(And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.'') meaning, they were proud of their great wealth and great numbers of children, and they believed that this was a sign that Allah loved them and cared for them, and that if He gave them this in this world, He would not punish them in the Hereafter. This was too far-fetched. Allah says:

﴿ أَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّمَا نُمِدُّهُم بِهِۦ مِن مَّالٍ۬ وَبَنِينَ • نُسَارِعُ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ‌ۚ بَل لَّا يَشۡعُرُونَ ﴾

(Do they think that in wealth and children with which We enlarge them We hasten unto them with good things. Nay, but they perceive not.) (23:55-56)

﴿ فَلَا تُعۡجِبۡكَ أَمۡوَٲلُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَہُم بِہَا فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَتَزۡهَقَ أَنفُسُہُمۡ وَهُمۡ كَـٰفِرُونَ ﴾

(So, let not their wealth nor their children amaze you; in reality Allah's plan is to punish them with these things in the life of this world, and that their souls shall depart while they are disbelievers.) (9:55), and

﴿ ذَرۡنِى وَمَنۡ خَلَقۡتُ وَحِيدً۬ا • وَجَعَلۡتُ لَهُ ۥ مَالاً۬ مَّمۡدُودً۬ا • وَبَنِينَ شُہُودً۬ا • وَمَهَّدتُّ لَهُ ۥ تَمۡهِيدً۬ا • ثُمَّ يَطۡمَعُ أَنۡ أَزِيدَ • كَلَّآ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ لِأَيَـٰتِنَا عَنِيدً۬ا • سَأُرۡهِقُهُ ۥ صَعُودًا ﴾

(Leave Me Alone (to deal) with whom I created lonely. And then granted him resources in abundance. And children to be by his side. And made life smooth and comfortable for him. After all that he desires that I should give more. Nay! Verily, he has been opposing Our Ayat. I shall oblige him to face a severe torment!) (74:11-17) And Allah has told us about the story of the owner of those two gardens, that he had wealth and crops and children, but that could not help him at all when all of that was taken from him in this world, before he reached the Hereafter. Allah says here:

﴿ قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ ﴾

(Say: "Verily, my Lord expands the provision to whom He wills and restricts...'') meaning, He gives wealth to those whom He loves and those whom He does not love, and He makes poor whom He wills and makes rich whom He wills. He has complete wisdom and clear proof,

﴿ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(but most men know not.) Then Allah says:

﴿ وَمَآ أَمۡوَٲلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ ﴾

(And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us,) meaning, `these things are not a sign that We love you or care for you.' Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَأَمْوَالِكُمْ، وَلَكِنْ إِنَّمَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُم »

(Allah does not look at your outward appearance or your wealth, rather He looks at your hearts and your deeds.) Muslim and Ibn Majah also recorded this. Allah says:

﴿ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا ﴾

(but only he who believes, and does righteous deeds;) meaning, `only faith and righteous deeds will bring you closer to Us.'

﴿ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ ﴾

(as for such, there will be multiple rewards for what they did,) means, the reward will be multiplied for them between ten and seven hundred times.

﴿ وَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡغُرُفَـٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ ﴾

(and they will reside in the high dwellings in peace and security.) means, in the lofty dwellings of Paradise, safe from all misery, fear and harm, and from any evil they could fear. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), said that the Messenger of Allah said:

« إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ لَغُرَفًا تُرَى ظُهُورُهَا مِنْ بُطُونِهَا، وَبُطُونُهَا مِنْ ظُهُورِهَا »

(In Paradise there are lofty rooms whose outside can be seen from the inside and whose inside can be seen from the outside.) A Bedouin asked, "Who are they for'' He said:

« لِمَنْ طَيَّبَ الْكَلَامَ، وَأَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ، وَأَدَامَ الصِّيَامَ، وَصَلَّى بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَام »

(For those who speak well, feed the hungry, persist in fasting and pray at night while people are asleep.)

﴿ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡعَوۡنَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا مُعَـٰجِزِينَ ﴾

(And those who strive against Our Ayat, to frustrate them,) means, those who try to block people from the path of Allah and from following His Messengers and believing in His signs,

﴿ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ ﴾

they will be brought to the torment. means, they will all be punished for their deeds, each one accordingly.

﴿ قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُ ۥۚ ﴾

(Say: "Truly, my Lord expands the provision for whom He wills of His servants, and (also) restricts (it) for him...'') means, according to His wisdom, He gives a lot of provision to one, and gives very little to another. He has great wisdom in doing so, which cannot be comprehended by anyone but Him. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ ٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ فَضَّلۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ وَلَلۡأَخِرَةُ أَكۡبَرُ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ وَأَكۡبَرُ تَفۡضِيلاً۬ ﴾

(See how We favor one above another, and verily, the Hereafter will be greater in degrees and greater in favor.) (17:21). This means that just as there are differences between them in this world -- where one may be poor and in straitened circumstances while another is rich and enjoys a life of plenty -- so they will be in the Hereafter. There one will reside in apartments in the highest levels of Paradise, whilst another will be in the lowest levels of Hell. As the Prophet said, describing the best of people in this world:

« قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَرُزِقَ كَفَافًا وَقَنَّعَهُ اللهُ بِمَا آتَاه »

(He truly succeeds who becomes Muslim and is given just enough provision and Allah makes him content with what He has given.)'' It was recorded by Muslim.

﴿ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۖ ۥ ﴾

(and whatsoever you spend of anything, He will replace it.) means, `whatever you spend in the ways that He has commanded you and permitted you, He will compensate you for it in this world by giving you something else instead, and in the Hereafter by giving you reward.' It was reported that the Prophet said:

« يَقُولُ اللهُ تَعَالَى: أَنْفِقْ، أُنْفِقْ عَلَيْك »

(Allah says: "Spend, I will spend on you.'') In another Hadith it is reported that every morning, two angels come, and one says, "O Allah, bring destruction upon the one who withholds (does not spend).'' The other one says, "O Allah, give compensation to the one who spends.'' And the Messenger of Allah said:

« أَنْفِقْ بِلَالُ، وَلَا تَخْشَ مِنْ ذِي الْعَرْشِ إِقْلَالًا »

(Spend, O Bilal, and do not fear that the One Who is on the Throne will withhold from you.)

﴿ وَيَوۡمَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ جَمِيعً۬ا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ أَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِيَّاكُمۡ ڪَانُواْ يَعۡبُدُونَ • قَالُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِن دُونِهِمۖ بَلۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡبُدُونَ ٱلۡجِنَّۖ أَڪۡثَرُهُم بِہِم مُّؤۡمِنُونَ • فَٱلۡيَوۡمَ لَا يَمۡلِكُ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ۬ نَّفۡعً۬ا وَلَا ضَرًّ۬ا وَنَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ ذُوقُواْ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُم بِہَا تُكَذِّبُونَ ﴾

(40. And (remember) the Day when He will gather them all together, then He will say to the angels: "Was it you that these people used to worship'') (41. They (the angels) will say: "Glorified be You! You are our Protector instead of them. Nay, but they used to worship the Jinn; most of them were believers in them.'') (42. So Today, none of you can profit or harm one another. And We shall say to those who did wrong: "Taste the torment of the Fire which you used to deny.'')