Surah 15 — Al-Hijr | AllahsQuran.com

1

الٓر‌ۚ تِلۡكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ وَقُرۡءَانٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the Book and a clear Qur’an.

الٓر‌ۚAlif Laam Ra.

تِلۡكَThese

ءَايَـٰتُ(are) the Verses

ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ(of) the Book

وَقُرۡءَانٍ۬and Quran

مُّبِينٍ۬clear.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ﴾

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

﴿ الٓر‌ۚ تِلۡكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ وَقُرۡءَانٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ • رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَوۡ كَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ • ذَرۡهُمۡ يَأۡڪُلُواْ وَيَتَمَتَّعُواْ وَيُلۡهِهِمُ ٱلۡأَمَلُ‌ۖ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(1. Alif-Lam-Ra. These are Ayat of the Book and a plain Qur'an.) (2. How much would those who disbelieved wish that they had been Muslims.) (3. Leave them to eat and enjoy, and let them be preoccupied with (false) hope. They will come to know!)

2

رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَوۡ كَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ

Perhaps those who disbelieve will wish that they had been Muslims.

رُّبَمَاPerhaps

يَوَدُّwill wish

ٱلَّذِينَthose who

ڪَفَرُواْdisbelieved,

لَوۡif

كَانُواْthey had been

مُسۡلِمِينَMuslims.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ﴾

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

﴿ الٓر‌ۚ تِلۡكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ وَقُرۡءَانٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ • رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَوۡ كَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ • ذَرۡهُمۡ يَأۡڪُلُواْ وَيَتَمَتَّعُواْ وَيُلۡهِهِمُ ٱلۡأَمَلُ‌ۖ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(1. Alif-Lam-Ra. These are Ayat of the Book and a plain Qur'an.) (2. How much would those who disbelieved wish that they had been Muslims.) (3. Leave them to eat and enjoy, and let them be preoccupied with (false) hope. They will come to know!)

3

ذَرۡهُمۡ يَأۡڪُلُواْ وَيَتَمَتَّعُواْ وَيُلۡهِهِمُ ٱلۡأَمَلُ‌ۖ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ

Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by [false] hope, for they are going to know.

ذَرۡهُمۡLeave them

يَأۡڪُلُواْ(to) eat

وَيَتَمَتَّعُواْand enjoy

وَيُلۡهِهِمُand diverted them

ٱلۡأَمَلُ‌ۖthe hope,

فَسَوۡفَthen soon

يَعۡلَمُونَthey will come to know.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

﴿ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ﴾

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

﴿ الٓر‌ۚ تِلۡكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ وَقُرۡءَانٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ • رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَوۡ كَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ • ذَرۡهُمۡ يَأۡڪُلُواْ وَيَتَمَتَّعُواْ وَيُلۡهِهِمُ ٱلۡأَمَلُ‌ۖ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(1. Alif-Lam-Ra. These are Ayat of the Book and a plain Qur'an.) (2. How much would those who disbelieved wish that they had been Muslims.) (3. Leave them to eat and enjoy, and let them be preoccupied with (false) hope. They will come to know!)

4

وَمَآ أَهۡلَكۡنَا مِن قَرۡيَةٍ إِلَّا وَلَهَا كِتَابٌ۬ مَّعۡلُومٌ۬

And We did not destroy any city but that for it was a known decree.

وَمَآAnd not

أَهۡلَكۡنَاWe destroyed

مِنany

قَرۡيَةٍtown

إِلَّاbut

وَلَهَا(there was) for it

كِتَابٌ۬a decree

مَّعۡلُومٌ۬known.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Disbelievers will someday wish that They had been Muslims

We have already discussed the letters which appear at the beginning of some Surahs. Allah said:

﴿ رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ ﴾

(How much would those who disbelieved wish) Here Allah tells us that they will regret having lived in disbelief, and will wish that they had been Muslims in this world. Regarding Allah's saying,

﴿ رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَوۡ كَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ﴾

(How much would those who disbelieved wish that they had been Muslims.) Sufyan Ath-Thawri reported from Salamah bin Kuhayl, who reported from Abi Az-Za`ra', from `Abdullah, who said: "This is about the Jahannamiyyun (the sinners among the believers who will stay in Hell for some time), when they (the disbelievers) see them being brought out of Hell.''

﴿ رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَوۡ كَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ﴾

(How much would those who disbelieved wish that they had been Muslims.) Ibn Jarir reported that Ibn `Abbas and Anas bin Malik explained that this Ayah refers to the Day when Allah will detain the sinful Muslims in Hell along with the idolaters. He said: "The idolaters will say to them, `What you used to worship on earth has not helped you.' Then by virtue of His mercy, Allah will be angry for their sake, and He will remove them (from it). That is when

﴿ رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَوۡ كَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ﴾

(How much would those who disbelieved wish that they had been Muslims).''

﴿ ذَرۡهُمۡ يَأۡڪُلُواْ وَيَتَمَتَّعُواْ ﴾

(Leave them to eat and enjoy) this is a stern and definitive threat for them, like His saying,

﴿ قُلۡ تَمَتَّعُواْ فَإِنَّ مَصِيرَڪُمۡ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ ﴾

(Say: "Enjoy your brief life! But certainly, your destination is the Fire!'') (14:30)

﴿ كُلُواْ وَتَمَتَّعُواْ قَلِيلاً إِنَّكُم مُّجۡرِمُونَ ﴾

((O disbelievers!) Eat and enjoy yourselves (in this worldly life) for a little while. Verily, you are the guilty.)(77:46) Allah says:

﴿ وَيُلۡهِهِمُ ٱلۡأَمَلُ‌ۖ ﴾

(let them be preoccupied with false hope.) i.e., distracted from repentance and turning to Allah, for

﴿ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(They will soon come to know!) that is, their punishment.

﴿ وَمَآ أَهۡلَكۡنَا مِن قَرۡيَةٍ إِلَّا وَلَهَا كِتَابٌ۬ مَّعۡلُومٌ۬ • مَّا تَسۡبِقُ مِنۡ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسۡتَـٔۡخِرُونَ ﴾

(4. And never did We destroy a township but there was a known decree for it.) (5. No nation can advance its term, nor delay it.)

5

مَّا تَسۡبِقُ مِنۡ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسۡتَـٔۡخِرُونَ

No nation will precede its term, nor will they remain thereafter.

مَّاNot

تَسۡبِقُ(can) advance

مِنۡany

أُمَّةٍnation

أَجَلَهَاits term

وَمَاand not

يَسۡتَـٔۡخِرُونَ(can) delay it.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Disbelievers will someday wish that They had been Muslims

We have already discussed the letters which appear at the beginning of some Surahs. Allah said:

﴿ رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ ﴾

(How much would those who disbelieved wish) Here Allah tells us that they will regret having lived in disbelief, and will wish that they had been Muslims in this world. Regarding Allah's saying,

﴿ رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَوۡ كَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ﴾

(How much would those who disbelieved wish that they had been Muslims.) Sufyan Ath-Thawri reported from Salamah bin Kuhayl, who reported from Abi Az-Za`ra', from `Abdullah, who said: "This is about the Jahannamiyyun (the sinners among the believers who will stay in Hell for some time), when they (the disbelievers) see them being brought out of Hell.''

﴿ رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَوۡ كَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ﴾

(How much would those who disbelieved wish that they had been Muslims.) Ibn Jarir reported that Ibn `Abbas and Anas bin Malik explained that this Ayah refers to the Day when Allah will detain the sinful Muslims in Hell along with the idolaters. He said: "The idolaters will say to them, `What you used to worship on earth has not helped you.' Then by virtue of His mercy, Allah will be angry for their sake, and He will remove them (from it). That is when

﴿ رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَوۡ كَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ ﴾

(How much would those who disbelieved wish that they had been Muslims).''

﴿ ذَرۡهُمۡ يَأۡڪُلُواْ وَيَتَمَتَّعُواْ ﴾

(Leave them to eat and enjoy) this is a stern and definitive threat for them, like His saying,

﴿ قُلۡ تَمَتَّعُواْ فَإِنَّ مَصِيرَڪُمۡ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ ﴾

(Say: "Enjoy your brief life! But certainly, your destination is the Fire!'') (14:30)

﴿ كُلُواْ وَتَمَتَّعُواْ قَلِيلاً إِنَّكُم مُّجۡرِمُونَ ﴾

((O disbelievers!) Eat and enjoy yourselves (in this worldly life) for a little while. Verily, you are the guilty.)(77:46) Allah says:

﴿ وَيُلۡهِهِمُ ٱلۡأَمَلُ‌ۖ ﴾

(let them be preoccupied with false hope.) i.e., distracted from repentance and turning to Allah, for

﴿ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(They will soon come to know!) that is, their punishment.

﴿ وَمَآ أَهۡلَكۡنَا مِن قَرۡيَةٍ إِلَّا وَلَهَا كِتَابٌ۬ مَّعۡلُومٌ۬ • مَّا تَسۡبِقُ مِنۡ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسۡتَـٔۡخِرُونَ ﴾

(4. And never did We destroy a township but there was a known decree for it.) (5. No nation can advance its term, nor delay it.)

6

وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلذِّكۡرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬

And they say," O you upon whom the message has been sent down, indeed you are mad.

وَقَالُواْAnd they say,

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا"O you

ٱلَّذِى(to) whom

نُزِّلَhas been sent down

عَلَيۡهِ[on him]

ٱلذِّكۡرُthe Reminder,

إِنَّكَindeed, you

لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬(are) surely mad.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Every Township has its allotted Time

Allah is informing us that He never destroys a township until He has established evidences for it and its allotted time has ended. When the time for a nation's destruction has come, He never delays it, and He never moves its appointed time forward. This was a message and a warning to the people of Makkah, telling them to give up their Shirk, their stubbornness and disbelief for which they deserved to be destroyed.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلذِّكۡرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬ • لَّوۡ مَا تَأۡتِينَا بِٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ • مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓاْ إِذً۬ا مُّنظَرِينَ • إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا ٱلذِّكۡرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ ۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ ﴾

(6. And they say: "O you (Muhammad) to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'an) has been revealed! Verily, you are a madman!) (7. "Why do you not bring angels to us if you are of the truthful'') (8. We do not send the angels down except with the truth, and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!) (9. Verily, We, it is We Who revealed the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely We will guard it (from corruption).)

7

لَّوۡ مَا تَأۡتِينَا بِٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ

Why do you not bring us the angels, if you should be among the truthful?”

لَّوۡWhy

مَاnot

تَأۡتِينَاyou bring to us

بِٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِthe Angels,

إِنif

كُنتَyou are

مِنَof

ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَthe truthful?"

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Every Township has its allotted Time

Allah is informing us that He never destroys a township until He has established evidences for it and its allotted time has ended. When the time for a nation's destruction has come, He never delays it, and He never moves its appointed time forward. This was a message and a warning to the people of Makkah, telling them to give up their Shirk, their stubbornness and disbelief for which they deserved to be destroyed.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلذِّكۡرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬ • لَّوۡ مَا تَأۡتِينَا بِٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ • مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓاْ إِذً۬ا مُّنظَرِينَ • إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا ٱلذِّكۡرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ ۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ ﴾

(6. And they say: "O you (Muhammad) to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'an) has been revealed! Verily, you are a madman!) (7. "Why do you not bring angels to us if you are of the truthful'') (8. We do not send the angels down except with the truth, and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!) (9. Verily, We, it is We Who revealed the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely We will guard it (from corruption).)

8

مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓاْ إِذً۬ا مُّنظَرِينَ

We do not send down the angels except with truth; and the disbelievers would not then be reprieved.

مَاNot

نُنَزِّلُWe send down

ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَthe Angels

إِلَّاexcept

بِٱلۡحَقِّwith the truth;

وَمَاand not

كَانُوٓاْthey would be

إِذً۬اthen

مُّنظَرِينَgiven respite.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Every Township has its allotted Time

Allah is informing us that He never destroys a township until He has established evidences for it and its allotted time has ended. When the time for a nation's destruction has come, He never delays it, and He never moves its appointed time forward. This was a message and a warning to the people of Makkah, telling them to give up their Shirk, their stubbornness and disbelief for which they deserved to be destroyed.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلذِّكۡرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬ • لَّوۡ مَا تَأۡتِينَا بِٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ • مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓاْ إِذً۬ا مُّنظَرِينَ • إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا ٱلذِّكۡرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ ۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ ﴾

(6. And they say: "O you (Muhammad) to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'an) has been revealed! Verily, you are a madman!) (7. "Why do you not bring angels to us if you are of the truthful'') (8. We do not send the angels down except with the truth, and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!) (9. Verily, We, it is We Who revealed the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely We will guard it (from corruption).)

9

إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا ٱلذِّكۡرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ ۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.

إِنَّاIndeed, We

نَحۡنُWe

نَزَّلۡنَاhave sent down

ٱلذِّكۡرَthe Reminder,

وَإِنَّاand indeed, We

لَهُ ۥof it

لَحَـٰفِظُونَ(are) surely Guardians.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Every Township has its allotted Time

Allah is informing us that He never destroys a township until He has established evidences for it and its allotted time has ended. When the time for a nation's destruction has come, He never delays it, and He never moves its appointed time forward. This was a message and a warning to the people of Makkah, telling them to give up their Shirk, their stubbornness and disbelief for which they deserved to be destroyed.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلذِّكۡرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬ • لَّوۡ مَا تَأۡتِينَا بِٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ • مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓاْ إِذً۬ا مُّنظَرِينَ • إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا ٱلذِّكۡرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ ۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ ﴾

(6. And they say: "O you (Muhammad) to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'an) has been revealed! Verily, you are a madman!) (7. "Why do you not bring angels to us if you are of the truthful'') (8. We do not send the angels down except with the truth, and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!) (9. Verily, We, it is We Who revealed the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely We will guard it (from corruption).)

10

وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى شِيَعِ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

And We had certainly sent [messengers] before you, [O Muhammad], among the sects of the former peoples.

وَلَقَدۡAnd certainly

أَرۡسَلۡنَاWe (had) sent

مِن قَبۡلِكَbefore you

فِىin

شِيَعِthe sects

ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ(of) the former (people).

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Accusation that the Prophet was a Madman and Demands for Him to bring down Angels

Allah tells us about the disbelief, arrogance and stubbornness of the disbelievers as reflected in their words:

﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلذِّكۡرُ ﴾

(O you (Muhammad) to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'an) has been revealed!) i.e., the one who claims to receive it.

﴿ إِنَّكَ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬ ﴾

(Verily, you are a mad man!) i.e., by your invitation to us to follow you and leave the way of our forefathers.

﴿ لَّوۡ مَا تَأۡتِينَا بِٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ ﴾

(Why do you not bring angels to us) i.e., to bear witness to the accuracy of what you have brought to us is true, if you are really telling the truth This is similar to what Pharaoh said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ ﴾

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him)(43:53). And Allah said:

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا لَوۡلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡنَا ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ أَوۡ نَرَىٰ رَبَّنَا‌ۗ لَقَدِ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ وَعَتَوۡ عُتُوًّ۬ا كَبِيرً۬ا • يَوۡمَ يَرَوۡنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ لَا بُشۡرَىٰ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ لِّلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ وَيَقُولُونَ حِجۡرً۬ا مَّحۡجُورً۬ا ﴾

(And those who do not expect a meeting with Us (i.e., those who deny the Day of Resurrection and the life of the Hereafter), say: "Why are not the angels sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord'' Indeed they think too highly of themselves, and are scornful with great pride. On the Day that they do see the angels - there will be no good news given on that day to the guilty. And they (angels) will say: "All kinds of glad tidings are forbidden for you.'') (25:21-22) For this reason Allah said:

﴿ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓاْ إِذً۬ا مُّنظَرِينَ ﴾

(We do not send the angels down except with the truth, and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!) Mujahid said in this Ayah:

﴿ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ ﴾

(We do not send the angels down except with the truth) "﴿i.e.,﴾ with the Message and the punishment.'' Then Allah, may He be exalted, stated that He is the One Who revealed the Dhikr to him, which is the Qur'an, and He is protecting it from being changed or altered.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى شِيَعِ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ • وَمَا يَأۡتِيہِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ • كَذَٲلِكَ نَسۡلُكُهُ ۥ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ • لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَقَدۡ خَلَتۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ﴾

(10. Indeed, We sent (Messengers) before you (O Muhammad) amongst the earlier communities.) (11. And there never came a Messenger to them but that they mocked him.) (12. Thus We allow it to enter the hearts of the guilty.) (13. They would not believe in it (the Qur'an); and already the example of the ancients has gone forth.)

11

وَمَا يَأۡتِيہِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

And no messenger would come to them except that they ridiculed him.

وَمَاAnd not

يَأۡتِيہِمcame to them

مِّنany

رَّسُولٍMessenger

إِلَّاbut

كَانُواْthey did

بِهِۦat him

يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَmock.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Accusation that the Prophet was a Madman and Demands for Him to bring down Angels

Allah tells us about the disbelief, arrogance and stubbornness of the disbelievers as reflected in their words:

﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلذِّكۡرُ ﴾

(O you (Muhammad) to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'an) has been revealed!) i.e., the one who claims to receive it.

﴿ إِنَّكَ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬ ﴾

(Verily, you are a mad man!) i.e., by your invitation to us to follow you and leave the way of our forefathers.

﴿ لَّوۡ مَا تَأۡتِينَا بِٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ ﴾

(Why do you not bring angels to us) i.e., to bear witness to the accuracy of what you have brought to us is true, if you are really telling the truth This is similar to what Pharaoh said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ ﴾

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him)(43:53). And Allah said:

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا لَوۡلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡنَا ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ أَوۡ نَرَىٰ رَبَّنَا‌ۗ لَقَدِ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ وَعَتَوۡ عُتُوًّ۬ا كَبِيرً۬ا • يَوۡمَ يَرَوۡنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ لَا بُشۡرَىٰ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ لِّلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ وَيَقُولُونَ حِجۡرً۬ا مَّحۡجُورً۬ا ﴾

(And those who do not expect a meeting with Us (i.e., those who deny the Day of Resurrection and the life of the Hereafter), say: "Why are not the angels sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord'' Indeed they think too highly of themselves, and are scornful with great pride. On the Day that they do see the angels - there will be no good news given on that day to the guilty. And they (angels) will say: "All kinds of glad tidings are forbidden for you.'') (25:21-22) For this reason Allah said:

﴿ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓاْ إِذً۬ا مُّنظَرِينَ ﴾

(We do not send the angels down except with the truth, and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!) Mujahid said in this Ayah:

﴿ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ ﴾

(We do not send the angels down except with the truth) "﴿i.e.,﴾ with the Message and the punishment.'' Then Allah, may He be exalted, stated that He is the One Who revealed the Dhikr to him, which is the Qur'an, and He is protecting it from being changed or altered.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى شِيَعِ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ • وَمَا يَأۡتِيہِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ • كَذَٲلِكَ نَسۡلُكُهُ ۥ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ • لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَقَدۡ خَلَتۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ﴾

(10. Indeed, We sent (Messengers) before you (O Muhammad) amongst the earlier communities.) (11. And there never came a Messenger to them but that they mocked him.) (12. Thus We allow it to enter the hearts of the guilty.) (13. They would not believe in it (the Qur'an); and already the example of the ancients has gone forth.)

12

كَذَٲلِكَ نَسۡلُكُهُ ۥ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ

Thus do We insert denial into the hearts of the criminals.

كَذَٲلِكَThus

نَسۡلُكُهُ ۥWe let it enter

فِىin

قُلُوبِ(the) hearts

ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ(of) the criminals.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Accusation that the Prophet was a Madman and Demands for Him to bring down Angels

Allah tells us about the disbelief, arrogance and stubbornness of the disbelievers as reflected in their words:

﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلذِّكۡرُ ﴾

(O you (Muhammad) to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'an) has been revealed!) i.e., the one who claims to receive it.

﴿ إِنَّكَ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬ ﴾

(Verily, you are a mad man!) i.e., by your invitation to us to follow you and leave the way of our forefathers.

﴿ لَّوۡ مَا تَأۡتِينَا بِٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ ﴾

(Why do you not bring angels to us) i.e., to bear witness to the accuracy of what you have brought to us is true, if you are really telling the truth This is similar to what Pharaoh said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ ﴾

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him)(43:53). And Allah said:

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا لَوۡلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡنَا ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ أَوۡ نَرَىٰ رَبَّنَا‌ۗ لَقَدِ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ وَعَتَوۡ عُتُوًّ۬ا كَبِيرً۬ا • يَوۡمَ يَرَوۡنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ لَا بُشۡرَىٰ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ لِّلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ وَيَقُولُونَ حِجۡرً۬ا مَّحۡجُورً۬ا ﴾

(And those who do not expect a meeting with Us (i.e., those who deny the Day of Resurrection and the life of the Hereafter), say: "Why are not the angels sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord'' Indeed they think too highly of themselves, and are scornful with great pride. On the Day that they do see the angels - there will be no good news given on that day to the guilty. And they (angels) will say: "All kinds of glad tidings are forbidden for you.'') (25:21-22) For this reason Allah said:

﴿ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓاْ إِذً۬ا مُّنظَرِينَ ﴾

(We do not send the angels down except with the truth, and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!) Mujahid said in this Ayah:

﴿ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ ﴾

(We do not send the angels down except with the truth) "﴿i.e.,﴾ with the Message and the punishment.'' Then Allah, may He be exalted, stated that He is the One Who revealed the Dhikr to him, which is the Qur'an, and He is protecting it from being changed or altered.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى شِيَعِ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ • وَمَا يَأۡتِيہِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ • كَذَٲلِكَ نَسۡلُكُهُ ۥ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ • لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَقَدۡ خَلَتۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ﴾

(10. Indeed, We sent (Messengers) before you (O Muhammad) amongst the earlier communities.) (11. And there never came a Messenger to them but that they mocked him.) (12. Thus We allow it to enter the hearts of the guilty.) (13. They would not believe in it (the Qur'an); and already the example of the ancients has gone forth.)

13

لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَقَدۡ خَلَتۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

They will not believe in it, while there has already occurred the precedent of the former peoples.

لَاNot

يُؤۡمِنُونَthey believe

بِهِۦ‌ۖin it,

وَقَدۡand verily

خَلَتۡhave passed

سُنَّةُthe way(s)

ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ(of) the former (people).

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Accusation that the Prophet was a Madman and Demands for Him to bring down Angels

Allah tells us about the disbelief, arrogance and stubbornness of the disbelievers as reflected in their words:

﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلذِّكۡرُ ﴾

(O you (Muhammad) to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'an) has been revealed!) i.e., the one who claims to receive it.

﴿ إِنَّكَ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬ ﴾

(Verily, you are a mad man!) i.e., by your invitation to us to follow you and leave the way of our forefathers.

﴿ لَّوۡ مَا تَأۡتِينَا بِٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ ﴾

(Why do you not bring angels to us) i.e., to bear witness to the accuracy of what you have brought to us is true, if you are really telling the truth This is similar to what Pharaoh said:

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ ﴾

(Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him)(43:53). And Allah said:

﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا لَوۡلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡنَا ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ أَوۡ نَرَىٰ رَبَّنَا‌ۗ لَقَدِ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ وَعَتَوۡ عُتُوًّ۬ا كَبِيرً۬ا • يَوۡمَ يَرَوۡنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ لَا بُشۡرَىٰ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ لِّلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ وَيَقُولُونَ حِجۡرً۬ا مَّحۡجُورً۬ا ﴾

(And those who do not expect a meeting with Us (i.e., those who deny the Day of Resurrection and the life of the Hereafter), say: "Why are not the angels sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord'' Indeed they think too highly of themselves, and are scornful with great pride. On the Day that they do see the angels - there will be no good news given on that day to the guilty. And they (angels) will say: "All kinds of glad tidings are forbidden for you.'') (25:21-22) For this reason Allah said:

﴿ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓاْ إِذً۬ا مُّنظَرِينَ ﴾

(We do not send the angels down except with the truth, and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!) Mujahid said in this Ayah:

﴿ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ ﴾

(We do not send the angels down except with the truth) "﴿i.e.,﴾ with the Message and the punishment.'' Then Allah, may He be exalted, stated that He is the One Who revealed the Dhikr to him, which is the Qur'an, and He is protecting it from being changed or altered.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى شِيَعِ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ • وَمَا يَأۡتِيہِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ • كَذَٲلِكَ نَسۡلُكُهُ ۥ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ • لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَقَدۡ خَلَتۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ﴾

(10. Indeed, We sent (Messengers) before you (O Muhammad) amongst the earlier communities.) (11. And there never came a Messenger to them but that they mocked him.) (12. Thus We allow it to enter the hearts of the guilty.) (13. They would not believe in it (the Qur'an); and already the example of the ancients has gone forth.)

14

وَلَوۡ فَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَابً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَظَلُّواْ فِيهِ يَعۡرُجُونَ

And [even] if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they continued therein to ascend,

وَلَوۡAnd (even) if

فَتَحۡنَاWe opened

عَلَيۡہِمto them

بَابً۬اa gate

مِّنَfrom

ٱلسَّمَآءِthe heaven,

فَظَلُّواْand they were to continue

فِيهِtherein

يَعۡرُجُونَ(to) ascend,

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators of Every Nation made a Mockery of their Messengers

Consoling His Messenger for the rejection of the disbelieving Quraysh, Allah says that He has sent Messengers before him to the nations of the past, and no Messenger came to a nation but they rejected him and mocked him. Then He tells him that He lets disbelief enter the hearts of those sinners who are too stubborn and too arrogant to follow His guidance.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ نَسۡلُكُهُ ۥ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ ﴾

(Thus We allow it to enter the hearts of the guilty.) Anas and Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that this referred to Shirk.

﴿ وَقَدۡ خَلَتۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ﴾

(and already the example of the ancients has gone forth.) meaning the destruction wrought by Allah on those who rejected His Messengers, and how He saved His Prophets and their followers in this world and in the Hereafter, is well known.

﴿ وَلَوۡ فَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَابً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَظَلُّواْ فِيهِ يَعۡرُجُونَ • لَقَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا بَلۡ نَحۡنُ قَوۡمٌ۬ مَّسۡحُورُونَ ﴾

(14. And even if We opened to them a gate to the heavens and they were to continue ascending through it (all day long).) (15. They would surely say (in the evening): "Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled (we have not seen any angel or heaven). Nay, we are a people bewitched.'')

15

لَقَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا بَلۡ نَحۡنُ قَوۡمٌ۬ مَّسۡحُورُونَ

They would say, "Our eyes have only been dazzled. Rather, we are a people affected by magic."

لَقَالُوٓاْThey would surely say

إِنَّمَا"Only

سُكِّرَتۡhave been dazzled

أَبۡصَـٰرُنَاour eyes.

بَلۡNay,

نَحۡنُwe

قَوۡمٌ۬(are) a people

مَّسۡحُورُونَbewitched."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Idolators of Every Nation made a Mockery of their Messengers

Consoling His Messenger for the rejection of the disbelieving Quraysh, Allah says that He has sent Messengers before him to the nations of the past, and no Messenger came to a nation but they rejected him and mocked him. Then He tells him that He lets disbelief enter the hearts of those sinners who are too stubborn and too arrogant to follow His guidance.

﴿ كَذَٲلِكَ نَسۡلُكُهُ ۥ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ ﴾

(Thus We allow it to enter the hearts of the guilty.) Anas and Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that this referred to Shirk.

﴿ وَقَدۡ خَلَتۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ﴾

(and already the example of the ancients has gone forth.) meaning the destruction wrought by Allah on those who rejected His Messengers, and how He saved His Prophets and their followers in this world and in the Hereafter, is well known.

﴿ وَلَوۡ فَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَابً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَظَلُّواْ فِيهِ يَعۡرُجُونَ • لَقَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا بَلۡ نَحۡنُ قَوۡمٌ۬ مَّسۡحُورُونَ ﴾

(14. And even if We opened to them a gate to the heavens and they were to continue ascending through it (all day long).) (15. They would surely say (in the evening): "Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled (we have not seen any angel or heaven). Nay, we are a people bewitched.'')

16

وَلَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَا لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ

And We have placed within the heaven great stars and have beautified it for the observers.

وَلَقَدۡAnd verily

جَعَلۡنَاWe have placed

فِىin

ٱلسَّمَآءِthe heavens

بُرُوجً۬اconstellations

وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَاand We have beautified it

لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَfor the observers.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Stubborn Disbelievers will never believe, no matter what Signs and Wonders They see

Allah explains the extent of their disbelief and stubborn resistance to the truth by stating that even if a door to heaven were to be opened for them, and they were to be taken up through it, they would still not believe. Rather, they would say:

﴿ إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا ﴾

(Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled.) Mujahid, Ibn Kathir and Ad-Dahhak said, "(this means) our vision has been blocked.'' Qatadah narrated that Ibn `Abbas said, "(this means) our eyesight has been taken away.'' Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "(this means) we were confused and put under a spell.''

﴿ سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا ﴾

(Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled.) Ibn Zayd said: "The one who is dazzled (lit. intoxicated) is the one who cannot reason.''

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَا لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ • وَحَفِظۡنَـٰهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيۡطَـٰنٍ۬ رَّجِيمٍ • إِلَّا مَنِ ٱسۡتَرَقَ ٱلسَّمۡعَ فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ۥ شِہَابٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ • وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَدَدۡنَـٰهَا وَأَلۡقَيۡنَا فِيهَا رَوَٲسِىَ وَأَنۢبَتۡنَا فِيہَا مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬ • وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(16. And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders.) (17. And We have guarded it (near heaven) from every outcast Shaytan (devil).) (18. Except him (devil) who steals the hearing, then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (19. And We have spread out the earth, and have placed firm mountains in it, and caused all kinds of things to grow in it, in due proportion.) (20. And in it We have provided means of living, for you and for those whom you provide not.)

17

وَحَفِظۡنَـٰهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيۡطَـٰنٍ۬ رَّجِيمٍ

And We have protected it from every devil expelled [from the mercy of Allah]

وَحَفِظۡنَـٰهَاAnd We have protected it

مِنfrom

كُلِّevery

شَيۡطَـٰنٍ۬devil

رَّجِيمٍaccursed.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Stubborn Disbelievers will never believe, no matter what Signs and Wonders They see

Allah explains the extent of their disbelief and stubborn resistance to the truth by stating that even if a door to heaven were to be opened for them, and they were to be taken up through it, they would still not believe. Rather, they would say:

﴿ إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا ﴾

(Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled.) Mujahid, Ibn Kathir and Ad-Dahhak said, "(this means) our vision has been blocked.'' Qatadah narrated that Ibn `Abbas said, "(this means) our eyesight has been taken away.'' Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "(this means) we were confused and put under a spell.''

﴿ سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا ﴾

(Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled.) Ibn Zayd said: "The one who is dazzled (lit. intoxicated) is the one who cannot reason.''

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَا لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ • وَحَفِظۡنَـٰهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيۡطَـٰنٍ۬ رَّجِيمٍ • إِلَّا مَنِ ٱسۡتَرَقَ ٱلسَّمۡعَ فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ۥ شِہَابٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ • وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَدَدۡنَـٰهَا وَأَلۡقَيۡنَا فِيهَا رَوَٲسِىَ وَأَنۢبَتۡنَا فِيہَا مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬ • وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(16. And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders.) (17. And We have guarded it (near heaven) from every outcast Shaytan (devil).) (18. Except him (devil) who steals the hearing, then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (19. And We have spread out the earth, and have placed firm mountains in it, and caused all kinds of things to grow in it, in due proportion.) (20. And in it We have provided means of living, for you and for those whom you provide not.)

18

إِلَّا مَنِ ٱسۡتَرَقَ ٱلسَّمۡعَ فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ۥ شِہَابٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬

Except one who steals a hearing and is pursued by a clear burning flame.

إِلَّاExcept

مَنِ(one) who

ٱسۡتَرَقَsteals

ٱلسَّمۡعَthe hearing,

فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ۥthen follows him

شِہَابٌ۬a burning flame

مُّبِينٌ۬clear.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Stubborn Disbelievers will never believe, no matter what Signs and Wonders They see

Allah explains the extent of their disbelief and stubborn resistance to the truth by stating that even if a door to heaven were to be opened for them, and they were to be taken up through it, they would still not believe. Rather, they would say:

﴿ إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا ﴾

(Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled.) Mujahid, Ibn Kathir and Ad-Dahhak said, "(this means) our vision has been blocked.'' Qatadah narrated that Ibn `Abbas said, "(this means) our eyesight has been taken away.'' Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "(this means) we were confused and put under a spell.''

﴿ سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا ﴾

(Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled.) Ibn Zayd said: "The one who is dazzled (lit. intoxicated) is the one who cannot reason.''

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَا لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ • وَحَفِظۡنَـٰهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيۡطَـٰنٍ۬ رَّجِيمٍ • إِلَّا مَنِ ٱسۡتَرَقَ ٱلسَّمۡعَ فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ۥ شِہَابٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ • وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَدَدۡنَـٰهَا وَأَلۡقَيۡنَا فِيهَا رَوَٲسِىَ وَأَنۢبَتۡنَا فِيہَا مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬ • وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(16. And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders.) (17. And We have guarded it (near heaven) from every outcast Shaytan (devil).) (18. Except him (devil) who steals the hearing, then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (19. And We have spread out the earth, and have placed firm mountains in it, and caused all kinds of things to grow in it, in due proportion.) (20. And in it We have provided means of living, for you and for those whom you provide not.)

19

وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَدَدۡنَـٰهَا وَأَلۡقَيۡنَا فِيهَا رَوَٲسِىَ وَأَنۢبَتۡنَا فِيہَا مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬

And the earth – We have spread it and cast therein firmly set mountains and caused to grow therein [something] of every well-balanced thing.

وَٱلۡأَرۡضَAnd the earth,

مَدَدۡنَـٰهَاWe have spread it

وَأَلۡقَيۡنَاand [We] cast

فِيهَاtherein

رَوَٲسِىَfirm mountains

وَأَنۢبَتۡنَاand [We] caused to grow

فِيہَاtherein

مِنof

كُلِّevery

شَىۡءٍ۬thing

مَّوۡزُونٍ۬well-balanced.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Stubborn Disbelievers will never believe, no matter what Signs and Wonders They see

Allah explains the extent of their disbelief and stubborn resistance to the truth by stating that even if a door to heaven were to be opened for them, and they were to be taken up through it, they would still not believe. Rather, they would say:

﴿ إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا ﴾

(Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled.) Mujahid, Ibn Kathir and Ad-Dahhak said, "(this means) our vision has been blocked.'' Qatadah narrated that Ibn `Abbas said, "(this means) our eyesight has been taken away.'' Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "(this means) we were confused and put under a spell.''

﴿ سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا ﴾

(Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled.) Ibn Zayd said: "The one who is dazzled (lit. intoxicated) is the one who cannot reason.''

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَا لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ • وَحَفِظۡنَـٰهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيۡطَـٰنٍ۬ رَّجِيمٍ • إِلَّا مَنِ ٱسۡتَرَقَ ٱلسَّمۡعَ فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ۥ شِہَابٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ • وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَدَدۡنَـٰهَا وَأَلۡقَيۡنَا فِيهَا رَوَٲسِىَ وَأَنۢبَتۡنَا فِيہَا مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬ • وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(16. And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders.) (17. And We have guarded it (near heaven) from every outcast Shaytan (devil).) (18. Except him (devil) who steals the hearing, then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (19. And We have spread out the earth, and have placed firm mountains in it, and caused all kinds of things to grow in it, in due proportion.) (20. And in it We have provided means of living, for you and for those whom you provide not.)

20

وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ

And We have made for you therein means of living and [for] those for whom you are not providers.

وَجَعَلۡنَاAnd We have made

لَكُمۡfor you

فِيہَاtherein

مَعَـٰيِشَmeans of living

وَمَنand whom

لَّسۡتُمۡyou are not

لَهُ ۥfor him

بِرَٲزِقِينَproviders.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Stubborn Disbelievers will never believe, no matter what Signs and Wonders They see

Allah explains the extent of their disbelief and stubborn resistance to the truth by stating that even if a door to heaven were to be opened for them, and they were to be taken up through it, they would still not believe. Rather, they would say:

﴿ إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا ﴾

(Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled.) Mujahid, Ibn Kathir and Ad-Dahhak said, "(this means) our vision has been blocked.'' Qatadah narrated that Ibn `Abbas said, "(this means) our eyesight has been taken away.'' Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "(this means) we were confused and put under a spell.''

﴿ سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَـٰرُنَا ﴾

(Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled.) Ibn Zayd said: "The one who is dazzled (lit. intoxicated) is the one who cannot reason.''

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَا لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ • وَحَفِظۡنَـٰهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيۡطَـٰنٍ۬ رَّجِيمٍ • إِلَّا مَنِ ٱسۡتَرَقَ ٱلسَّمۡعَ فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ۥ شِہَابٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ • وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَدَدۡنَـٰهَا وَأَلۡقَيۡنَا فِيهَا رَوَٲسِىَ وَأَنۢبَتۡنَا فِيہَا مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬ • وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(16. And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders.) (17. And We have guarded it (near heaven) from every outcast Shaytan (devil).) (18. Except him (devil) who steals the hearing, then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (19. And We have spread out the earth, and have placed firm mountains in it, and caused all kinds of things to grow in it, in due proportion.) (20. And in it We have provided means of living, for you and for those whom you provide not.)

21

وَإِن مِّن شَىۡءٍ إِلَّا عِندَنَا خَزَآٮِٕنُهُ ۥ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ۬ مَّعۡلُومٍ۬

And there is not a thing but that with Us are its depositories, and We do not send it down except according to a known measure.

وَإِنAnd not

مِّن(is) any

شَىۡءٍthing

إِلَّاbut

عِندَنَاwith Us

خَزَآٮِٕنُهُ ۥ(are) its treasures,

وَمَاand not

نُنَزِّلُهُ ۥۤWe send it down

إِلَّاexcept

بِقَدَرٍ۬in a measure

مَّعۡلُومٍ۬known.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Power of Allah and His Signs in the Heavens and on Earth

To those who ponder, and look repeatedly at the dazzling signs and wonders that are to be seen in the creation, Allah mentions His creation of the heavens, with their immense height, and both the fixed and moving heavenly bodies with which He has adorned it. Here, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Buruj (big stars) refers to the heavenly bodies. (I say): This is like the Ayah:

﴿ تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا ﴾

(Blessed be He Who has placed the big stars in the heavens.) (25:61)`Atiyah Al-`Awfi said: "Buruj here refers to sentinel fortresses.'' He made the "shooting stars'' to guard it against the evil devils who try to listen to information conveyed at the highest heights. If any devil breaches it and advances hoping to listen, a clear "shooting star'' comes to him and destroys him. He may already have passed on whatever he heard before the fire hit him, to another devil below him; the latter will then take it to his friends (among humans), as is stated in the Sahih. Explaining this Ayah, Al-Bukhari reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said:

« إِذَا قَضَى اللهُ الْأَمْرَ فِي السَّمَاءِ ضَرَبَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ بِأَجْنِحَتِهَا خُضْعَانًا لِقَوْلِهِ كَأَنَّهُ سِلْسِلَةٌ عَلَى صَفْوَان »

(When Allah decrees any matter in heaven, the angels beat their wings in submission to His Word, (with a sound like) a chain (beating) on a smooth rock.'') (`Ali and other subnarrators said, "The sound reaches them.'') "When the fright leaves their (angels') hearts, they (angels) are asked: `What did your Lord say' They respond: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.' So those who hope to hear something listen, and they are standing one above the other.'' Sufyan (the narrator) described them with a gesture, spreading the fingers of his right hand and holding it in such a way that the fingers were above one another. "Sometimes the flaming fire hits one of these listeners before he is able to convey what he has heard to the one who is beneath him, and he is burned up, or sometimes the fire does not hit him until he has pit on to the one beneath him, so he brings it to the earth.'' Perhaps Sufyan said: "...until it reaches the earth and he puts it into the mouth of the sorcerer or fortune-teller, so that after telling a hundred lies he gets something right, and the people say, `Did he not tell us that on such and such a day such and such would happen, and we found it to be the truth among the statements which were heard from heaven.''' Then Allah mentions His creation of the earth and how He spread it out, and the firm mountains, valleys, lands and sands that he has placed in it, and the plants and fruits that He causes to grow in their appropriate locations.

﴿ مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬ ﴾

(all kinds of things in due proportion.) Ibn `Abbas said that this means with their predetermined proportions. This was also the opinion of Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Abu Malik, Mujahid, Al-Hakim bin `Utaybah, Al-Hasan bin Muhammad, Abu Salih and Qatadah.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ ﴾

(And We have provided therein means of living, for you) Here Allah mentions that He created the earth with different means of provisions and livelihood of all kinds.

﴿ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(and for those whom you provide not.) Mujahid said, "This refers to the riding animals and the cattle.'' Ibn Jarir said, "They are slaves, men and women, as well as the animals and the cattle. The meaning is that Allah, may He be exalted, is reminding them of the ways of earning provision that He has made easy for them, and of the animals that He has subjugated for them to ride and to eat, and the slaves from whom they benefit, but the provision of all of these comes from Allah alone.''

﴿ وَإِن مِّن شَىۡءٍ إِلَّا عِندَنَا خَزَآٮِٕنُهُ ۥ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ۬ مَّعۡلُومٍ۬ • وَأَرۡسَلۡنَا ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ لَوَٲقِحَ فَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَسۡقَيۡنَـٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِخَـٰزِنِينَ • وَإِنَّا لَنَحۡنُ نُحۡىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحۡنُ ٱلۡوَٲرِثُونَ • وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَ • وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ۬ ﴾

(21. And there is not a thing, but the supplies for it are with Us, and We do not send it down but in a known measure.) (22. And We send the winds fertilizing, then We cause the water to descend from the sky, and We give it to you to drink, and it is not you who are the owners of its supply.) (23. And certainly We! It is We Who give life, and cause death, and We are the Inheritors.) (24. And indeed, We know the first generations of you who have passed away, and indeed, We know the present generations of you (mankind), and also those who will come afterwards.) (25. And verily, your Lord will gather them together. Truly, He is Most Wise, (and) Knowing.)

22

وَأَرۡسَلۡنَا ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ لَوَٲقِحَ فَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَسۡقَيۡنَـٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِخَـٰزِنِينَ

And We have sent the fertilizing winds and sent down water from the sky and given you drink from it. And you are not its retainers.

وَأَرۡسَلۡنَاAnd We have sent

ٱلرِّيَـٰحَthe winds

لَوَٲقِحَfertilizing,

فَأَنزَلۡنَاand We sent down

مِنَfrom

ٱلسَّمَآءِthe sky

مَآءً۬water,

فَأَسۡقَيۡنَـٰكُمُوهُand We gave it to you to drink.

وَمَآAnd not

أَنتُمۡyou

لَهُ ۥof it

بِخَـٰزِنِينَ(are) retainers.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Power of Allah and His Signs in the Heavens and on Earth

To those who ponder, and look repeatedly at the dazzling signs and wonders that are to be seen in the creation, Allah mentions His creation of the heavens, with their immense height, and both the fixed and moving heavenly bodies with which He has adorned it. Here, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Buruj (big stars) refers to the heavenly bodies. (I say): This is like the Ayah:

﴿ تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا ﴾

(Blessed be He Who has placed the big stars in the heavens.) (25:61)`Atiyah Al-`Awfi said: "Buruj here refers to sentinel fortresses.'' He made the "shooting stars'' to guard it against the evil devils who try to listen to information conveyed at the highest heights. If any devil breaches it and advances hoping to listen, a clear "shooting star'' comes to him and destroys him. He may already have passed on whatever he heard before the fire hit him, to another devil below him; the latter will then take it to his friends (among humans), as is stated in the Sahih. Explaining this Ayah, Al-Bukhari reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said:

« إِذَا قَضَى اللهُ الْأَمْرَ فِي السَّمَاءِ ضَرَبَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ بِأَجْنِحَتِهَا خُضْعَانًا لِقَوْلِهِ كَأَنَّهُ سِلْسِلَةٌ عَلَى صَفْوَان »

(When Allah decrees any matter in heaven, the angels beat their wings in submission to His Word, (with a sound like) a chain (beating) on a smooth rock.'') (`Ali and other subnarrators said, "The sound reaches them.'') "When the fright leaves their (angels') hearts, they (angels) are asked: `What did your Lord say' They respond: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.' So those who hope to hear something listen, and they are standing one above the other.'' Sufyan (the narrator) described them with a gesture, spreading the fingers of his right hand and holding it in such a way that the fingers were above one another. "Sometimes the flaming fire hits one of these listeners before he is able to convey what he has heard to the one who is beneath him, and he is burned up, or sometimes the fire does not hit him until he has pit on to the one beneath him, so he brings it to the earth.'' Perhaps Sufyan said: "...until it reaches the earth and he puts it into the mouth of the sorcerer or fortune-teller, so that after telling a hundred lies he gets something right, and the people say, `Did he not tell us that on such and such a day such and such would happen, and we found it to be the truth among the statements which were heard from heaven.''' Then Allah mentions His creation of the earth and how He spread it out, and the firm mountains, valleys, lands and sands that he has placed in it, and the plants and fruits that He causes to grow in their appropriate locations.

﴿ مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬ ﴾

(all kinds of things in due proportion.) Ibn `Abbas said that this means with their predetermined proportions. This was also the opinion of Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Abu Malik, Mujahid, Al-Hakim bin `Utaybah, Al-Hasan bin Muhammad, Abu Salih and Qatadah.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ ﴾

(And We have provided therein means of living, for you) Here Allah mentions that He created the earth with different means of provisions and livelihood of all kinds.

﴿ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(and for those whom you provide not.) Mujahid said, "This refers to the riding animals and the cattle.'' Ibn Jarir said, "They are slaves, men and women, as well as the animals and the cattle. The meaning is that Allah, may He be exalted, is reminding them of the ways of earning provision that He has made easy for them, and of the animals that He has subjugated for them to ride and to eat, and the slaves from whom they benefit, but the provision of all of these comes from Allah alone.''

﴿ وَإِن مِّن شَىۡءٍ إِلَّا عِندَنَا خَزَآٮِٕنُهُ ۥ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ۬ مَّعۡلُومٍ۬ • وَأَرۡسَلۡنَا ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ لَوَٲقِحَ فَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَسۡقَيۡنَـٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِخَـٰزِنِينَ • وَإِنَّا لَنَحۡنُ نُحۡىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحۡنُ ٱلۡوَٲرِثُونَ • وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَ • وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ۬ ﴾

(21. And there is not a thing, but the supplies for it are with Us, and We do not send it down but in a known measure.) (22. And We send the winds fertilizing, then We cause the water to descend from the sky, and We give it to you to drink, and it is not you who are the owners of its supply.) (23. And certainly We! It is We Who give life, and cause death, and We are the Inheritors.) (24. And indeed, We know the first generations of you who have passed away, and indeed, We know the present generations of you (mankind), and also those who will come afterwards.) (25. And verily, your Lord will gather them together. Truly, He is Most Wise, (and) Knowing.)

23

وَإِنَّا لَنَحۡنُ نُحۡىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحۡنُ ٱلۡوَٲرِثُونَ

And indeed, it is We who give life and cause death, and We are the Inheritor.

وَإِنَّاAnd indeed, We,

لَنَحۡنُsurely [We]

نُحۡىِۦWe give life

وَنُمِيتُand We cause death,

وَنَحۡنُand We

ٱلۡوَٲرِثُونَ(are) the Inheritors.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Power of Allah and His Signs in the Heavens and on Earth

To those who ponder, and look repeatedly at the dazzling signs and wonders that are to be seen in the creation, Allah mentions His creation of the heavens, with their immense height, and both the fixed and moving heavenly bodies with which He has adorned it. Here, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Buruj (big stars) refers to the heavenly bodies. (I say): This is like the Ayah:

﴿ تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا ﴾

(Blessed be He Who has placed the big stars in the heavens.) (25:61)`Atiyah Al-`Awfi said: "Buruj here refers to sentinel fortresses.'' He made the "shooting stars'' to guard it against the evil devils who try to listen to information conveyed at the highest heights. If any devil breaches it and advances hoping to listen, a clear "shooting star'' comes to him and destroys him. He may already have passed on whatever he heard before the fire hit him, to another devil below him; the latter will then take it to his friends (among humans), as is stated in the Sahih. Explaining this Ayah, Al-Bukhari reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said:

« إِذَا قَضَى اللهُ الْأَمْرَ فِي السَّمَاءِ ضَرَبَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ بِأَجْنِحَتِهَا خُضْعَانًا لِقَوْلِهِ كَأَنَّهُ سِلْسِلَةٌ عَلَى صَفْوَان »

(When Allah decrees any matter in heaven, the angels beat their wings in submission to His Word, (with a sound like) a chain (beating) on a smooth rock.'') (`Ali and other subnarrators said, "The sound reaches them.'') "When the fright leaves their (angels') hearts, they (angels) are asked: `What did your Lord say' They respond: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.' So those who hope to hear something listen, and they are standing one above the other.'' Sufyan (the narrator) described them with a gesture, spreading the fingers of his right hand and holding it in such a way that the fingers were above one another. "Sometimes the flaming fire hits one of these listeners before he is able to convey what he has heard to the one who is beneath him, and he is burned up, or sometimes the fire does not hit him until he has pit on to the one beneath him, so he brings it to the earth.'' Perhaps Sufyan said: "...until it reaches the earth and he puts it into the mouth of the sorcerer or fortune-teller, so that after telling a hundred lies he gets something right, and the people say, `Did he not tell us that on such and such a day such and such would happen, and we found it to be the truth among the statements which were heard from heaven.''' Then Allah mentions His creation of the earth and how He spread it out, and the firm mountains, valleys, lands and sands that he has placed in it, and the plants and fruits that He causes to grow in their appropriate locations.

﴿ مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬ ﴾

(all kinds of things in due proportion.) Ibn `Abbas said that this means with their predetermined proportions. This was also the opinion of Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Abu Malik, Mujahid, Al-Hakim bin `Utaybah, Al-Hasan bin Muhammad, Abu Salih and Qatadah.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ ﴾

(And We have provided therein means of living, for you) Here Allah mentions that He created the earth with different means of provisions and livelihood of all kinds.

﴿ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(and for those whom you provide not.) Mujahid said, "This refers to the riding animals and the cattle.'' Ibn Jarir said, "They are slaves, men and women, as well as the animals and the cattle. The meaning is that Allah, may He be exalted, is reminding them of the ways of earning provision that He has made easy for them, and of the animals that He has subjugated for them to ride and to eat, and the slaves from whom they benefit, but the provision of all of these comes from Allah alone.''

﴿ وَإِن مِّن شَىۡءٍ إِلَّا عِندَنَا خَزَآٮِٕنُهُ ۥ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ۬ مَّعۡلُومٍ۬ • وَأَرۡسَلۡنَا ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ لَوَٲقِحَ فَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَسۡقَيۡنَـٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِخَـٰزِنِينَ • وَإِنَّا لَنَحۡنُ نُحۡىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحۡنُ ٱلۡوَٲرِثُونَ • وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَ • وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ۬ ﴾

(21. And there is not a thing, but the supplies for it are with Us, and We do not send it down but in a known measure.) (22. And We send the winds fertilizing, then We cause the water to descend from the sky, and We give it to you to drink, and it is not you who are the owners of its supply.) (23. And certainly We! It is We Who give life, and cause death, and We are the Inheritors.) (24. And indeed, We know the first generations of you who have passed away, and indeed, We know the present generations of you (mankind), and also those who will come afterwards.) (25. And verily, your Lord will gather them together. Truly, He is Most Wise, (and) Knowing.)

24

وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَ

And We have already known the preceding [generations] among you, and We have already known the later [ones to come].

وَلَقَدۡAnd verily

عَلِمۡنَاWe know

ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَthe preceding ones

مِنكُمۡamong you

وَلَقَدۡand verily,

عَلِمۡنَاWe know

ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَthe later ones.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Power of Allah and His Signs in the Heavens and on Earth

To those who ponder, and look repeatedly at the dazzling signs and wonders that are to be seen in the creation, Allah mentions His creation of the heavens, with their immense height, and both the fixed and moving heavenly bodies with which He has adorned it. Here, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Buruj (big stars) refers to the heavenly bodies. (I say): This is like the Ayah:

﴿ تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا ﴾

(Blessed be He Who has placed the big stars in the heavens.) (25:61)`Atiyah Al-`Awfi said: "Buruj here refers to sentinel fortresses.'' He made the "shooting stars'' to guard it against the evil devils who try to listen to information conveyed at the highest heights. If any devil breaches it and advances hoping to listen, a clear "shooting star'' comes to him and destroys him. He may already have passed on whatever he heard before the fire hit him, to another devil below him; the latter will then take it to his friends (among humans), as is stated in the Sahih. Explaining this Ayah, Al-Bukhari reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said:

« إِذَا قَضَى اللهُ الْأَمْرَ فِي السَّمَاءِ ضَرَبَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ بِأَجْنِحَتِهَا خُضْعَانًا لِقَوْلِهِ كَأَنَّهُ سِلْسِلَةٌ عَلَى صَفْوَان »

(When Allah decrees any matter in heaven, the angels beat their wings in submission to His Word, (with a sound like) a chain (beating) on a smooth rock.'') (`Ali and other subnarrators said, "The sound reaches them.'') "When the fright leaves their (angels') hearts, they (angels) are asked: `What did your Lord say' They respond: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.' So those who hope to hear something listen, and they are standing one above the other.'' Sufyan (the narrator) described them with a gesture, spreading the fingers of his right hand and holding it in such a way that the fingers were above one another. "Sometimes the flaming fire hits one of these listeners before he is able to convey what he has heard to the one who is beneath him, and he is burned up, or sometimes the fire does not hit him until he has pit on to the one beneath him, so he brings it to the earth.'' Perhaps Sufyan said: "...until it reaches the earth and he puts it into the mouth of the sorcerer or fortune-teller, so that after telling a hundred lies he gets something right, and the people say, `Did he not tell us that on such and such a day such and such would happen, and we found it to be the truth among the statements which were heard from heaven.''' Then Allah mentions His creation of the earth and how He spread it out, and the firm mountains, valleys, lands and sands that he has placed in it, and the plants and fruits that He causes to grow in their appropriate locations.

﴿ مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬ ﴾

(all kinds of things in due proportion.) Ibn `Abbas said that this means with their predetermined proportions. This was also the opinion of Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Abu Malik, Mujahid, Al-Hakim bin `Utaybah, Al-Hasan bin Muhammad, Abu Salih and Qatadah.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ ﴾

(And We have provided therein means of living, for you) Here Allah mentions that He created the earth with different means of provisions and livelihood of all kinds.

﴿ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(and for those whom you provide not.) Mujahid said, "This refers to the riding animals and the cattle.'' Ibn Jarir said, "They are slaves, men and women, as well as the animals and the cattle. The meaning is that Allah, may He be exalted, is reminding them of the ways of earning provision that He has made easy for them, and of the animals that He has subjugated for them to ride and to eat, and the slaves from whom they benefit, but the provision of all of these comes from Allah alone.''

﴿ وَإِن مِّن شَىۡءٍ إِلَّا عِندَنَا خَزَآٮِٕنُهُ ۥ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ۬ مَّعۡلُومٍ۬ • وَأَرۡسَلۡنَا ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ لَوَٲقِحَ فَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَسۡقَيۡنَـٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِخَـٰزِنِينَ • وَإِنَّا لَنَحۡنُ نُحۡىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحۡنُ ٱلۡوَٲرِثُونَ • وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَ • وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ۬ ﴾

(21. And there is not a thing, but the supplies for it are with Us, and We do not send it down but in a known measure.) (22. And We send the winds fertilizing, then We cause the water to descend from the sky, and We give it to you to drink, and it is not you who are the owners of its supply.) (23. And certainly We! It is We Who give life, and cause death, and We are the Inheritors.) (24. And indeed, We know the first generations of you who have passed away, and indeed, We know the present generations of you (mankind), and also those who will come afterwards.) (25. And verily, your Lord will gather them together. Truly, He is Most Wise, (and) Knowing.)

25

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ۬

And indeed, your Lord will gather them; indeed, He is Wise and Knowing.

وَإِنَّAnd indeed,

رَبَّكَyour Lord,

هُوَHe

يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ‌ۚwill gather them.

إِنَّهُ ۥIndeed, He

حَكِيمٌ(is) All-Wise,

عَلِيمٌ۬All-Knowing.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Power of Allah and His Signs in the Heavens and on Earth

To those who ponder, and look repeatedly at the dazzling signs and wonders that are to be seen in the creation, Allah mentions His creation of the heavens, with their immense height, and both the fixed and moving heavenly bodies with which He has adorned it. Here, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Buruj (big stars) refers to the heavenly bodies. (I say): This is like the Ayah:

﴿ تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا ﴾

(Blessed be He Who has placed the big stars in the heavens.) (25:61)`Atiyah Al-`Awfi said: "Buruj here refers to sentinel fortresses.'' He made the "shooting stars'' to guard it against the evil devils who try to listen to information conveyed at the highest heights. If any devil breaches it and advances hoping to listen, a clear "shooting star'' comes to him and destroys him. He may already have passed on whatever he heard before the fire hit him, to another devil below him; the latter will then take it to his friends (among humans), as is stated in the Sahih. Explaining this Ayah, Al-Bukhari reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said:

« إِذَا قَضَى اللهُ الْأَمْرَ فِي السَّمَاءِ ضَرَبَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ بِأَجْنِحَتِهَا خُضْعَانًا لِقَوْلِهِ كَأَنَّهُ سِلْسِلَةٌ عَلَى صَفْوَان »

(When Allah decrees any matter in heaven, the angels beat their wings in submission to His Word, (with a sound like) a chain (beating) on a smooth rock.'') (`Ali and other subnarrators said, "The sound reaches them.'') "When the fright leaves their (angels') hearts, they (angels) are asked: `What did your Lord say' They respond: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.' So those who hope to hear something listen, and they are standing one above the other.'' Sufyan (the narrator) described them with a gesture, spreading the fingers of his right hand and holding it in such a way that the fingers were above one another. "Sometimes the flaming fire hits one of these listeners before he is able to convey what he has heard to the one who is beneath him, and he is burned up, or sometimes the fire does not hit him until he has pit on to the one beneath him, so he brings it to the earth.'' Perhaps Sufyan said: "...until it reaches the earth and he puts it into the mouth of the sorcerer or fortune-teller, so that after telling a hundred lies he gets something right, and the people say, `Did he not tell us that on such and such a day such and such would happen, and we found it to be the truth among the statements which were heard from heaven.''' Then Allah mentions His creation of the earth and how He spread it out, and the firm mountains, valleys, lands and sands that he has placed in it, and the plants and fruits that He causes to grow in their appropriate locations.

﴿ مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مَّوۡزُونٍ۬ ﴾

(all kinds of things in due proportion.) Ibn `Abbas said that this means with their predetermined proportions. This was also the opinion of Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Abu Malik, Mujahid, Al-Hakim bin `Utaybah, Al-Hasan bin Muhammad, Abu Salih and Qatadah.

﴿ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيہَا مَعَـٰيِشَ ﴾

(And We have provided therein means of living, for you) Here Allah mentions that He created the earth with different means of provisions and livelihood of all kinds.

﴿ وَمَن لَّسۡتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِرَٲزِقِينَ ﴾

(and for those whom you provide not.) Mujahid said, "This refers to the riding animals and the cattle.'' Ibn Jarir said, "They are slaves, men and women, as well as the animals and the cattle. The meaning is that Allah, may He be exalted, is reminding them of the ways of earning provision that He has made easy for them, and of the animals that He has subjugated for them to ride and to eat, and the slaves from whom they benefit, but the provision of all of these comes from Allah alone.''

﴿ وَإِن مِّن شَىۡءٍ إِلَّا عِندَنَا خَزَآٮِٕنُهُ ۥ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ۬ مَّعۡلُومٍ۬ • وَأَرۡسَلۡنَا ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ لَوَٲقِحَ فَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَسۡقَيۡنَـٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِخَـٰزِنِينَ • وَإِنَّا لَنَحۡنُ نُحۡىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحۡنُ ٱلۡوَٲرِثُونَ • وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَ • وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ۬ ﴾

(21. And there is not a thing, but the supplies for it are with Us, and We do not send it down but in a known measure.) (22. And We send the winds fertilizing, then We cause the water to descend from the sky, and We give it to you to drink, and it is not you who are the owners of its supply.) (23. And certainly We! It is We Who give life, and cause death, and We are the Inheritors.) (24. And indeed, We know the first generations of you who have passed away, and indeed, We know the present generations of you (mankind), and also those who will come afterwards.) (25. And verily, your Lord will gather them together. Truly, He is Most Wise, (and) Knowing.)

26

وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬

And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud.

وَلَقَدۡAnd verily,

خَلَقۡنَاWe created

ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَhumankind

مِن(out) of

صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬sounding clay

مِّنۡfrom

حَمَإٍ۬black mud

مَّسۡنُونٍ۬altered.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Power of Allah to initiate and renew Creation

﴿ وَإِنَّا لَنَحۡنُ نُحۡىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ ﴾

(And certainly We! We it is Who give life, and cause death,) Here Allah tells us of His power to initiate creation and renew it. He is the One Who brings life to creatures out of nothingness, then He causes them to die, then He will resurrect all of them on the Day when He will gather them together. He also tells us that He will inherit the earth and everyone on it, and then it is to Him that they will return. Then He tells us about His perfect knowledge of them, the first and the last of them. He says

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ ﴾

(And indeed, We know the first generations of you who had passed away...). Ibn `Abbas said, "The first generations are all those who have passed away since the time of Adam. The present generations and those who will come afterward refer to those who are alive now and who are yet to come, until the Day of Resurrection.'' Something similar was narrated from `Ikrimah, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, Muhammad bin Ka`b, Ash-Sha`bi and others. Ibn Jarir reported from Muhammad bin Abi Ma`shar, from his father, that he heard `Awn bin `Abdullah discussing the following Ayah with Muhammad bin Ka`b:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَ ﴾

(And indeed, We know the first generations of you who had passed away, and indeed, We know the present generations of you (mankind), and also those who will come afterwards), and it was stated that it refers to the rows for prayer. Muhammad bin Ka`b said, "This is not the case.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ ﴾

(And indeed, We know the first generations of you who had passed away) it refers to those who are dead or have been killed, and;

﴿ ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَ ﴾

(and also those who will come afterwards) meaning those who have yet to be created.

﴿ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ۬ ﴾

(And verily your Lord will gather them together. Truly, He is Most Wise, (and) Knowing).'' `Awn bin `Abdullah said, "May Allah help you and reward you with good.''

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ • وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(26. And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.) (27. And the Jinn, We created earlier from the smokeless flame of fire.)

27

وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ

And the jinn We created before from scorching fire.

وَٱلۡجَآنَّAnd the jinn

خَلَقۡنَـٰهُWe created it

مِن قَبۡلُbefore

مِنfrom

نَّارِfire

ٱلسَّمُومِscorching.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Power of Allah to initiate and renew Creation

﴿ وَإِنَّا لَنَحۡنُ نُحۡىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ ﴾

(And certainly We! We it is Who give life, and cause death,) Here Allah tells us of His power to initiate creation and renew it. He is the One Who brings life to creatures out of nothingness, then He causes them to die, then He will resurrect all of them on the Day when He will gather them together. He also tells us that He will inherit the earth and everyone on it, and then it is to Him that they will return. Then He tells us about His perfect knowledge of them, the first and the last of them. He says

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ ﴾

(And indeed, We know the first generations of you who had passed away...). Ibn `Abbas said, "The first generations are all those who have passed away since the time of Adam. The present generations and those who will come afterward refer to those who are alive now and who are yet to come, until the Day of Resurrection.'' Something similar was narrated from `Ikrimah, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, Muhammad bin Ka`b, Ash-Sha`bi and others. Ibn Jarir reported from Muhammad bin Abi Ma`shar, from his father, that he heard `Awn bin `Abdullah discussing the following Ayah with Muhammad bin Ka`b:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَ ﴾

(And indeed, We know the first generations of you who had passed away, and indeed, We know the present generations of you (mankind), and also those who will come afterwards), and it was stated that it refers to the rows for prayer. Muhammad bin Ka`b said, "This is not the case.

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِينَ مِنكُمۡ ﴾

(And indeed, We know the first generations of you who had passed away) it refers to those who are dead or have been killed, and;

﴿ ٱلۡمُسۡتَـٔۡخِرِينَ ﴾

(and also those who will come afterwards) meaning those who have yet to be created.

﴿ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ۬ ﴾

(And verily your Lord will gather them together. Truly, He is Most Wise, (and) Knowing).'' `Awn bin `Abdullah said, "May Allah help you and reward you with good.''

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ • وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(26. And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.) (27. And the Jinn, We created earlier from the smokeless flame of fire.)

28

وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقُۢ بَشَرً۬ا مِّن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬

And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud.

وَإِذۡAnd when

قَالَ رَبُّكَyour Lord said

لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِto the Angels,

إِنِّى"Indeed, I

خَـٰلِقُۢ(will) create

بَشَرً۬اa human being

مِّن(out) of

صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬clay

مِّنۡfrom

حَمَإٍ۬black mud

مَّسۡنُونٍ۬altered.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Substances from which Mankind and Jinns were created

Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Salsal means dry mud. The apparent meaning is similar to the Ayah:

﴿ خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ كَٱلۡفَخَّارِ • وَخَلَقَ ٱلۡجَآنَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ۬ مِّن نَّارٍ۬ ﴾

(He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the potter's clay, And He created the Jinns from a smokeless flame of fire.) (55:14-15) It was also reported from Mujahid that,

﴿ صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ ﴾

(dried (sounding) clay) means "putrid'', but it is more appropriate to interpret an Ayah with another Ayah.

﴿ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(of altered mud) means the dried clay that comes from mud, which is soil. "Altered'' here means smooth.

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier) means before creating humans.

﴿ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(from the smokeless flame of fire.) Ibn `Abbas said, "It is the smokeless flame that kills.'' Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi said that Shu`bah narrated to them from Abu Ishaq, who said: "I visited `Umar Al-Asamm when he was sick, and he said: `Shall I not tell you a Hadith that I heard from `Abdullah bin Mas`ud He said: `This smokeless flame is one of the seventy parts of the smokeless fire from which the Jinn where created. Then he recited,

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier from the smokeless flame of fire).''' The following is found in the Sahih,

« خُلِقَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ نُورٍ، وَخُلِقَتِ الْجَانُّ مِنْ مَارِجٍ مِنْ نَارٍ، وَخُلِقَ آدَمُ مِمَّا وُصِفَ لَكُم »

(The angels were created from light, the Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you.) The Ayah is intended to point out the noble nature, good essence and pure origin of Adam.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقُۢ بَشَرً۬ا مِّن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ • فَإِذَا سَوَّيۡتُهُ ۥ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُواْ لَهُ ۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ • فَسَجَدَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ڪُلُّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعُونَ • إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ أَبَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ يَـٰٓإِبۡلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(28. And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to create a man (Adam) from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud. '') (29. "So, when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) of My spirit (the soul which I created for him,) then fall down, prostrating yourselves before him.'') (30. So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together.) (31. Except Iblis (Shaytan) - he refused to be among the prostrate.) (32. (Allah) said: "O Iblis! What is your reason for not being among the prostrate'' (33. Iblis ﴾said: "I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.'')

29

فَإِذَا سَوَّيۡتُهُ ۥ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُواْ لَهُ ۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ

And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration."

فَإِذَاSo, when

سَوَّيۡتُهُ ۥI have fashioned him

وَنَفَخۡتُand [I] breathed

فِيهِinto him

مِنof

رُّوحِىMy spirit,

فَقَعُواْthen fall down

لَهُ ۥto him

سَـٰجِدِينَprostrating."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Substances from which Mankind and Jinns were created

Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Salsal means dry mud. The apparent meaning is similar to the Ayah:

﴿ خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ كَٱلۡفَخَّارِ • وَخَلَقَ ٱلۡجَآنَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ۬ مِّن نَّارٍ۬ ﴾

(He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the potter's clay, And He created the Jinns from a smokeless flame of fire.) (55:14-15) It was also reported from Mujahid that,

﴿ صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ ﴾

(dried (sounding) clay) means "putrid'', but it is more appropriate to interpret an Ayah with another Ayah.

﴿ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(of altered mud) means the dried clay that comes from mud, which is soil. "Altered'' here means smooth.

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier) means before creating humans.

﴿ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(from the smokeless flame of fire.) Ibn `Abbas said, "It is the smokeless flame that kills.'' Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi said that Shu`bah narrated to them from Abu Ishaq, who said: "I visited `Umar Al-Asamm when he was sick, and he said: `Shall I not tell you a Hadith that I heard from `Abdullah bin Mas`ud He said: `This smokeless flame is one of the seventy parts of the smokeless fire from which the Jinn where created. Then he recited,

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier from the smokeless flame of fire).''' The following is found in the Sahih,

« خُلِقَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ نُورٍ، وَخُلِقَتِ الْجَانُّ مِنْ مَارِجٍ مِنْ نَارٍ، وَخُلِقَ آدَمُ مِمَّا وُصِفَ لَكُم »

(The angels were created from light, the Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you.) The Ayah is intended to point out the noble nature, good essence and pure origin of Adam.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقُۢ بَشَرً۬ا مِّن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ • فَإِذَا سَوَّيۡتُهُ ۥ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُواْ لَهُ ۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ • فَسَجَدَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ڪُلُّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعُونَ • إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ أَبَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ يَـٰٓإِبۡلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(28. And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to create a man (Adam) from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud. '') (29. "So, when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) of My spirit (the soul which I created for him,) then fall down, prostrating yourselves before him.'') (30. So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together.) (31. Except Iblis (Shaytan) - he refused to be among the prostrate.) (32. (Allah) said: "O Iblis! What is your reason for not being among the prostrate'' (33. Iblis ﴾said: "I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.'')

30

فَسَجَدَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ڪُلُّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعُونَ

So the angels prostrated – all of them entirely,

فَسَجَدَSo prostrated

ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُthe Angels

ڪُلُّهُمۡall of them

أَجۡمَعُونَtogether,

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Substances from which Mankind and Jinns were created

Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Salsal means dry mud. The apparent meaning is similar to the Ayah:

﴿ خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ كَٱلۡفَخَّارِ • وَخَلَقَ ٱلۡجَآنَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ۬ مِّن نَّارٍ۬ ﴾

(He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the potter's clay, And He created the Jinns from a smokeless flame of fire.) (55:14-15) It was also reported from Mujahid that,

﴿ صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ ﴾

(dried (sounding) clay) means "putrid'', but it is more appropriate to interpret an Ayah with another Ayah.

﴿ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(of altered mud) means the dried clay that comes from mud, which is soil. "Altered'' here means smooth.

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier) means before creating humans.

﴿ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(from the smokeless flame of fire.) Ibn `Abbas said, "It is the smokeless flame that kills.'' Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi said that Shu`bah narrated to them from Abu Ishaq, who said: "I visited `Umar Al-Asamm when he was sick, and he said: `Shall I not tell you a Hadith that I heard from `Abdullah bin Mas`ud He said: `This smokeless flame is one of the seventy parts of the smokeless fire from which the Jinn where created. Then he recited,

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier from the smokeless flame of fire).''' The following is found in the Sahih,

« خُلِقَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ نُورٍ، وَخُلِقَتِ الْجَانُّ مِنْ مَارِجٍ مِنْ نَارٍ، وَخُلِقَ آدَمُ مِمَّا وُصِفَ لَكُم »

(The angels were created from light, the Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you.) The Ayah is intended to point out the noble nature, good essence and pure origin of Adam.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقُۢ بَشَرً۬ا مِّن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ • فَإِذَا سَوَّيۡتُهُ ۥ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُواْ لَهُ ۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ • فَسَجَدَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ڪُلُّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعُونَ • إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ أَبَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ يَـٰٓإِبۡلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(28. And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to create a man (Adam) from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud. '') (29. "So, when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) of My spirit (the soul which I created for him,) then fall down, prostrating yourselves before him.'') (30. So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together.) (31. Except Iblis (Shaytan) - he refused to be among the prostrate.) (32. (Allah) said: "O Iblis! What is your reason for not being among the prostrate'' (33. Iblis ﴾said: "I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.'')

31

إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ أَبَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ

Except Iblees, he refused to be with those who prostrated.

إِلَّآExcept

إِبۡلِيسَIblis.

أَبَىٰٓHe refused

أَنto

يَكُونَbe

مَعَwith

ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَthose who prostrated.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Substances from which Mankind and Jinns were created

Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Salsal means dry mud. The apparent meaning is similar to the Ayah:

﴿ خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ كَٱلۡفَخَّارِ • وَخَلَقَ ٱلۡجَآنَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ۬ مِّن نَّارٍ۬ ﴾

(He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the potter's clay, And He created the Jinns from a smokeless flame of fire.) (55:14-15) It was also reported from Mujahid that,

﴿ صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ ﴾

(dried (sounding) clay) means "putrid'', but it is more appropriate to interpret an Ayah with another Ayah.

﴿ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(of altered mud) means the dried clay that comes from mud, which is soil. "Altered'' here means smooth.

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier) means before creating humans.

﴿ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(from the smokeless flame of fire.) Ibn `Abbas said, "It is the smokeless flame that kills.'' Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi said that Shu`bah narrated to them from Abu Ishaq, who said: "I visited `Umar Al-Asamm when he was sick, and he said: `Shall I not tell you a Hadith that I heard from `Abdullah bin Mas`ud He said: `This smokeless flame is one of the seventy parts of the smokeless fire from which the Jinn where created. Then he recited,

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier from the smokeless flame of fire).''' The following is found in the Sahih,

« خُلِقَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ نُورٍ، وَخُلِقَتِ الْجَانُّ مِنْ مَارِجٍ مِنْ نَارٍ، وَخُلِقَ آدَمُ مِمَّا وُصِفَ لَكُم »

(The angels were created from light, the Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you.) The Ayah is intended to point out the noble nature, good essence and pure origin of Adam.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقُۢ بَشَرً۬ا مِّن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ • فَإِذَا سَوَّيۡتُهُ ۥ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُواْ لَهُ ۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ • فَسَجَدَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ڪُلُّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعُونَ • إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ أَبَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ يَـٰٓإِبۡلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(28. And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to create a man (Adam) from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud. '') (29. "So, when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) of My spirit (the soul which I created for him,) then fall down, prostrating yourselves before him.'') (30. So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together.) (31. Except Iblis (Shaytan) - he refused to be among the prostrate.) (32. (Allah) said: "O Iblis! What is your reason for not being among the prostrate'' (33. Iblis ﴾said: "I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.'')

32

قَالَ يَـٰٓإِبۡلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ

[Allah] said, O Iblees, what is [the matter] with you that you are not with those who prostrate?"

قَالَHe said,

يَـٰٓإِبۡلِيسُ"O Iblis!

مَاWhat

لَكَ(is) for you

أَلَّاthat not

تَكُونَyou are

مَعَwith

ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَthose who prostrated?"

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Substances from which Mankind and Jinns were created

Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Salsal means dry mud. The apparent meaning is similar to the Ayah:

﴿ خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ كَٱلۡفَخَّارِ • وَخَلَقَ ٱلۡجَآنَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ۬ مِّن نَّارٍ۬ ﴾

(He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the potter's clay, And He created the Jinns from a smokeless flame of fire.) (55:14-15) It was also reported from Mujahid that,

﴿ صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ ﴾

(dried (sounding) clay) means "putrid'', but it is more appropriate to interpret an Ayah with another Ayah.

﴿ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(of altered mud) means the dried clay that comes from mud, which is soil. "Altered'' here means smooth.

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier) means before creating humans.

﴿ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(from the smokeless flame of fire.) Ibn `Abbas said, "It is the smokeless flame that kills.'' Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi said that Shu`bah narrated to them from Abu Ishaq, who said: "I visited `Umar Al-Asamm when he was sick, and he said: `Shall I not tell you a Hadith that I heard from `Abdullah bin Mas`ud He said: `This smokeless flame is one of the seventy parts of the smokeless fire from which the Jinn where created. Then he recited,

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier from the smokeless flame of fire).''' The following is found in the Sahih,

« خُلِقَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ نُورٍ، وَخُلِقَتِ الْجَانُّ مِنْ مَارِجٍ مِنْ نَارٍ، وَخُلِقَ آدَمُ مِمَّا وُصِفَ لَكُم »

(The angels were created from light, the Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you.) The Ayah is intended to point out the noble nature, good essence and pure origin of Adam.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقُۢ بَشَرً۬ا مِّن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ • فَإِذَا سَوَّيۡتُهُ ۥ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُواْ لَهُ ۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ • فَسَجَدَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ڪُلُّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعُونَ • إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ أَبَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ يَـٰٓإِبۡلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(28. And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to create a man (Adam) from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud. '') (29. "So, when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) of My spirit (the soul which I created for him,) then fall down, prostrating yourselves before him.'') (30. So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together.) (31. Except Iblis (Shaytan) - he refused to be among the prostrate.) (32. (Allah) said: "O Iblis! What is your reason for not being among the prostrate'' (33. Iblis ﴾said: "I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.'')

33

قَالَ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬

He said, "Never would I prostrate to a human whom You created out of clay from an altered black mud."

قَالَHe said,

لَمۡ أَكُن"I am not

لِّأَسۡجُدَ(one) to prostrate

لِبَشَرٍto a human

خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥwhom You created,

مِن(out) of

صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬clay

مِّنۡfrom

حَمَإٍ۬black mud

مَّسۡنُونٍ۬altered."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Substances from which Mankind and Jinns were created

Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Salsal means dry mud. The apparent meaning is similar to the Ayah:

﴿ خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ كَٱلۡفَخَّارِ • وَخَلَقَ ٱلۡجَآنَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ۬ مِّن نَّارٍ۬ ﴾

(He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the potter's clay, And He created the Jinns from a smokeless flame of fire.) (55:14-15) It was also reported from Mujahid that,

﴿ صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ ﴾

(dried (sounding) clay) means "putrid'', but it is more appropriate to interpret an Ayah with another Ayah.

﴿ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(of altered mud) means the dried clay that comes from mud, which is soil. "Altered'' here means smooth.

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier) means before creating humans.

﴿ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(from the smokeless flame of fire.) Ibn `Abbas said, "It is the smokeless flame that kills.'' Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi said that Shu`bah narrated to them from Abu Ishaq, who said: "I visited `Umar Al-Asamm when he was sick, and he said: `Shall I not tell you a Hadith that I heard from `Abdullah bin Mas`ud He said: `This smokeless flame is one of the seventy parts of the smokeless fire from which the Jinn where created. Then he recited,

﴿ وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ ﴾

(And the Jinn, We created earlier from the smokeless flame of fire).''' The following is found in the Sahih,

« خُلِقَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ نُورٍ، وَخُلِقَتِ الْجَانُّ مِنْ مَارِجٍ مِنْ نَارٍ، وَخُلِقَ آدَمُ مِمَّا وُصِفَ لَكُم »

(The angels were created from light, the Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you.) The Ayah is intended to point out the noble nature, good essence and pure origin of Adam.

﴿ وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقُۢ بَشَرً۬ا مِّن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ • فَإِذَا سَوَّيۡتُهُ ۥ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُواْ لَهُ ۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ • فَسَجَدَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ڪُلُّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعُونَ • إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ أَبَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ يَـٰٓإِبۡلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ • قَالَ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(28. And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to create a man (Adam) from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud. '') (29. "So, when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) of My spirit (the soul which I created for him,) then fall down, prostrating yourselves before him.'') (30. So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together.) (31. Except Iblis (Shaytan) - he refused to be among the prostrate.) (32. (Allah) said: "O Iblis! What is your reason for not being among the prostrate'' (33. Iblis ﴾said: "I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.'')

34

قَالَ فَٱخۡرُجۡ مِنۡہَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ۬

[Allah] said, "Then get out of it, for indeed, you are expelled.

قَالَHe said,

فَٱخۡرُجۡ"Then get out

مِنۡہَاof it,

فَإِنَّكَfor indeed, you

رَجِيمٌ۬(are) expelled.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The creation of Adam, the Command to the Angels to prostrate to Him, and the Rebellion of Iblis

Allah informs us of how He mentioned Adam to His angels before He created him, and how He honored him by commanding the angels to prostrate to him. He mentions how His enemy Iblis, amidst all the angels, refused to prostrate to him out of envy, disbelief, stubbornness, arrogance, and false pride. This is why Iblis said:

﴿ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.) this is like when he said,

﴿ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡهُ خَلَقۡتَنِى مِن نَّارٍ۬ وَخَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن طِينٍ۬ ﴾

(I am better than him (Adam), You created me from Fire and him You created from clay.)(7:12) and

﴿ أَرَءَيۡتَكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى ڪَرَّمۡتَ عَلَىَّ ﴾

("Do you see this one whom You have honored above me...'') (17:62)

﴿ قَالَ فَٱخۡرُجۡ مِنۡہَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ۬ • وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكَ ٱللَّعۡنَةَ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ • قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرۡنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُونَ • قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنظَرِينَ • إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡوَقۡتِ ٱلۡمَعۡلُومِ ﴾

(34. (Allah) said: "Then leave, for verily, you are an outcast. '') (35. "And verily, the curse shall be upon you until the Day of Recompense.'') (36. (Iblis) said: "O my Lord! Then give me respite until the Day they (the dead) will be resurrected.'') (37. Allah said: "Then verily, you are of those reprieved,'') (38. "Until the Day of the time appointed.'')

35

وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكَ ٱللَّعۡنَةَ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ

And indeed, upon you is the curse until the Day of Recompense."

وَإِنَّAnd indeed,

عَلَيۡكَupon you

ٱللَّعۡنَةَ(will be) the curse

إِلَىٰtill

يَوۡمِ(the) Day

ٱلدِّينِ(of) [the] Judgment."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The creation of Adam, the Command to the Angels to prostrate to Him, and the Rebellion of Iblis

Allah informs us of how He mentioned Adam to His angels before He created him, and how He honored him by commanding the angels to prostrate to him. He mentions how His enemy Iblis, amidst all the angels, refused to prostrate to him out of envy, disbelief, stubbornness, arrogance, and false pride. This is why Iblis said:

﴿ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.) this is like when he said,

﴿ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡهُ خَلَقۡتَنِى مِن نَّارٍ۬ وَخَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن طِينٍ۬ ﴾

(I am better than him (Adam), You created me from Fire and him You created from clay.)(7:12) and

﴿ أَرَءَيۡتَكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى ڪَرَّمۡتَ عَلَىَّ ﴾

("Do you see this one whom You have honored above me...'') (17:62)

﴿ قَالَ فَٱخۡرُجۡ مِنۡہَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ۬ • وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكَ ٱللَّعۡنَةَ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ • قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرۡنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُونَ • قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنظَرِينَ • إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡوَقۡتِ ٱلۡمَعۡلُومِ ﴾

(34. (Allah) said: "Then leave, for verily, you are an outcast. '') (35. "And verily, the curse shall be upon you until the Day of Recompense.'') (36. (Iblis) said: "O my Lord! Then give me respite until the Day they (the dead) will be resurrected.'') (37. Allah said: "Then verily, you are of those reprieved,'') (38. "Until the Day of the time appointed.'')

36

قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرۡنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُونَ

He said," My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."

قَالَHe said,

رَبِّ"O my Lord!

فَأَنظِرۡنِىٓThen give me respite

إِلَىٰtill

يَوۡمِ(the) Day

يُبۡعَثُونَthey are raised."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The creation of Adam, the Command to the Angels to prostrate to Him, and the Rebellion of Iblis

Allah informs us of how He mentioned Adam to His angels before He created him, and how He honored him by commanding the angels to prostrate to him. He mentions how His enemy Iblis, amidst all the angels, refused to prostrate to him out of envy, disbelief, stubbornness, arrogance, and false pride. This is why Iblis said:

﴿ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.) this is like when he said,

﴿ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡهُ خَلَقۡتَنِى مِن نَّارٍ۬ وَخَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن طِينٍ۬ ﴾

(I am better than him (Adam), You created me from Fire and him You created from clay.)(7:12) and

﴿ أَرَءَيۡتَكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى ڪَرَّمۡتَ عَلَىَّ ﴾

("Do you see this one whom You have honored above me...'') (17:62)

﴿ قَالَ فَٱخۡرُجۡ مِنۡہَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ۬ • وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكَ ٱللَّعۡنَةَ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ • قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرۡنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُونَ • قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنظَرِينَ • إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡوَقۡتِ ٱلۡمَعۡلُومِ ﴾

(34. (Allah) said: "Then leave, for verily, you are an outcast. '') (35. "And verily, the curse shall be upon you until the Day of Recompense.'') (36. (Iblis) said: "O my Lord! Then give me respite until the Day they (the dead) will be resurrected.'') (37. Allah said: "Then verily, you are of those reprieved,'') (38. "Until the Day of the time appointed.'')

37

قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنظَرِينَ

[Allah] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprieved

قَالَHe said,

فَإِنَّكَ"Then indeed you,

مِنَ(are) of

ٱلۡمُنظَرِينَthe ones given respite.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The creation of Adam, the Command to the Angels to prostrate to Him, and the Rebellion of Iblis

Allah informs us of how He mentioned Adam to His angels before He created him, and how He honored him by commanding the angels to prostrate to him. He mentions how His enemy Iblis, amidst all the angels, refused to prostrate to him out of envy, disbelief, stubbornness, arrogance, and false pride. This is why Iblis said:

﴿ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.) this is like when he said,

﴿ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡهُ خَلَقۡتَنِى مِن نَّارٍ۬ وَخَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن طِينٍ۬ ﴾

(I am better than him (Adam), You created me from Fire and him You created from clay.)(7:12) and

﴿ أَرَءَيۡتَكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى ڪَرَّمۡتَ عَلَىَّ ﴾

("Do you see this one whom You have honored above me...'') (17:62)

﴿ قَالَ فَٱخۡرُجۡ مِنۡہَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ۬ • وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكَ ٱللَّعۡنَةَ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ • قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرۡنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُونَ • قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنظَرِينَ • إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡوَقۡتِ ٱلۡمَعۡلُومِ ﴾

(34. (Allah) said: "Then leave, for verily, you are an outcast. '') (35. "And verily, the curse shall be upon you until the Day of Recompense.'') (36. (Iblis) said: "O my Lord! Then give me respite until the Day they (the dead) will be resurrected.'') (37. Allah said: "Then verily, you are of those reprieved,'') (38. "Until the Day of the time appointed.'')

38

إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡوَقۡتِ ٱلۡمَعۡلُومِ

Until the Day of the time well-known."

إِلَىٰTill

يَوۡمِthe Day

ٱلۡوَقۡتِ(of) the time

ٱلۡمَعۡلُومِwell-known."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The creation of Adam, the Command to the Angels to prostrate to Him, and the Rebellion of Iblis

Allah informs us of how He mentioned Adam to His angels before He created him, and how He honored him by commanding the angels to prostrate to him. He mentions how His enemy Iblis, amidst all the angels, refused to prostrate to him out of envy, disbelief, stubbornness, arrogance, and false pride. This is why Iblis said:

﴿ لَمۡ أَكُن لِّأَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ ﴾

(I am not one to prostrate myself to a human, whom You created from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.) this is like when he said,

﴿ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡهُ خَلَقۡتَنِى مِن نَّارٍ۬ وَخَلَقۡتَهُ ۥ مِن طِينٍ۬ ﴾

(I am better than him (Adam), You created me from Fire and him You created from clay.)(7:12) and

﴿ أَرَءَيۡتَكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى ڪَرَّمۡتَ عَلَىَّ ﴾

("Do you see this one whom You have honored above me...'') (17:62)

﴿ قَالَ فَٱخۡرُجۡ مِنۡہَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ۬ • وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكَ ٱللَّعۡنَةَ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ • قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرۡنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُونَ • قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنظَرِينَ • إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡوَقۡتِ ٱلۡمَعۡلُومِ ﴾

(34. (Allah) said: "Then leave, for verily, you are an outcast. '') (35. "And verily, the curse shall be upon you until the Day of Recompense.'') (36. (Iblis) said: "O my Lord! Then give me respite until the Day they (the dead) will be resurrected.'') (37. Allah said: "Then verily, you are of those reprieved,'') (38. "Until the Day of the time appointed.'')

39

قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِى لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَأُغۡوِيَنَّہُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

[Iblees] said, "My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all

قَالَHe said,

رَبِّ"My Lord!

بِمَآBecause

أَغۡوَيۡتَنِىYou misled me,

لَأُزَيِّنَنَّsurely, I will make (evil) fair-seeming

لَهُمۡto them

فِىin

ٱلۡأَرۡضِthe earth

وَلَأُغۡوِيَنَّہُمۡand I will mislead them

أَجۡمَعِينَall

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Expulsion of Iblis from Jannah, and His Reprieve until the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us how He issued an unconditional command to Iblis to leave the position he held among the highest of heights. He told him that he was an outcast, i.e., cursed, and that he would be followed by a curse that would hound him until the Day of Resurrection. It was reported that Sa`id bin Jubayr said: "When Allah cursed Iblis, his image into something different from that of the angels, and he made a sound like a bell. Every bell that rings on this earth until the Day of Resurrection is part of that. This was reported by Ibn Abi Hatim.

﴿ قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِى لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَأُغۡوِيَنَّہُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسۡتَقِيمٌ • إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيۡسَ لَكَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنٌ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ • وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوۡعِدُهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • لَهَا سَبۡعَةُ أَبۡوَٲبٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(39. Iblis ﴾said: "O my Lord! Because You misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all.'') (40. "Except Your chosen (guided) servants among them.'') (41. (Allah) said: "This is the way which will lead straight to Me.'') (42. "Certainly, you shall have no authority over My servants, except those of the astray who follow you.'') (43. And surely, Hell is the place promised for them all.) (44. It has seven gates, for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

40

إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنۡہُمُ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ

Except, among them, Your chosen servants."

إِلَّاExcept,

عِبَادَكَYour slaves

مِنۡہُمُamong them

ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَthe ones who are sincere."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Expulsion of Iblis from Jannah, and His Reprieve until the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us how He issued an unconditional command to Iblis to leave the position he held among the highest of heights. He told him that he was an outcast, i.e., cursed, and that he would be followed by a curse that would hound him until the Day of Resurrection. It was reported that Sa`id bin Jubayr said: "When Allah cursed Iblis, his image into something different from that of the angels, and he made a sound like a bell. Every bell that rings on this earth until the Day of Resurrection is part of that. This was reported by Ibn Abi Hatim.

﴿ قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِى لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَأُغۡوِيَنَّہُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسۡتَقِيمٌ • إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيۡسَ لَكَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنٌ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ • وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوۡعِدُهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • لَهَا سَبۡعَةُ أَبۡوَٲبٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(39. Iblis ﴾said: "O my Lord! Because You misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all.'') (40. "Except Your chosen (guided) servants among them.'') (41. (Allah) said: "This is the way which will lead straight to Me.'') (42. "Certainly, you shall have no authority over My servants, except those of the astray who follow you.'') (43. And surely, Hell is the place promised for them all.) (44. It has seven gates, for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

41

قَالَ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسۡتَقِيمٌ

[Allah] said, "This is a path [of return] to Me [that is] straight.

قَالَHe said,

هَـٰذَا"This

صِرَٲطٌ(is) the way

عَلَىَّto Me

مُسۡتَقِيمٌstraight.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Expulsion of Iblis from Jannah, and His Reprieve until the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us how He issued an unconditional command to Iblis to leave the position he held among the highest of heights. He told him that he was an outcast, i.e., cursed, and that he would be followed by a curse that would hound him until the Day of Resurrection. It was reported that Sa`id bin Jubayr said: "When Allah cursed Iblis, his image into something different from that of the angels, and he made a sound like a bell. Every bell that rings on this earth until the Day of Resurrection is part of that. This was reported by Ibn Abi Hatim.

﴿ قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِى لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَأُغۡوِيَنَّہُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسۡتَقِيمٌ • إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيۡسَ لَكَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنٌ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ • وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوۡعِدُهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • لَهَا سَبۡعَةُ أَبۡوَٲبٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(39. Iblis ﴾said: "O my Lord! Because You misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all.'') (40. "Except Your chosen (guided) servants among them.'') (41. (Allah) said: "This is the way which will lead straight to Me.'') (42. "Certainly, you shall have no authority over My servants, except those of the astray who follow you.'') (43. And surely, Hell is the place promised for them all.) (44. It has seven gates, for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

42

إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيۡسَ لَكَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنٌ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ

Indeed, My servants – no authority will you have over them, except those who follow you of the deviators.

إِنَّIndeed,

عِبَادِىMy slaves,

لَيۡسَnot

لَكَyou have

عَلَيۡہِمۡover them

سُلۡطَـٰنٌany authority,

إِلَّاexcept

مَنِthose who

ٱتَّبَعَكَfollow you,

مِنَof

ٱلۡغَاوِينَthe ones who go astray."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Expulsion of Iblis from Jannah, and His Reprieve until the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us how He issued an unconditional command to Iblis to leave the position he held among the highest of heights. He told him that he was an outcast, i.e., cursed, and that he would be followed by a curse that would hound him until the Day of Resurrection. It was reported that Sa`id bin Jubayr said: "When Allah cursed Iblis, his image into something different from that of the angels, and he made a sound like a bell. Every bell that rings on this earth until the Day of Resurrection is part of that. This was reported by Ibn Abi Hatim.

﴿ قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِى لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَأُغۡوِيَنَّہُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسۡتَقِيمٌ • إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيۡسَ لَكَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنٌ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ • وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوۡعِدُهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • لَهَا سَبۡعَةُ أَبۡوَٲبٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(39. Iblis ﴾said: "O my Lord! Because You misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all.'') (40. "Except Your chosen (guided) servants among them.'') (41. (Allah) said: "This is the way which will lead straight to Me.'') (42. "Certainly, you shall have no authority over My servants, except those of the astray who follow you.'') (43. And surely, Hell is the place promised for them all.) (44. It has seven gates, for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

43

وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوۡعِدُهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all.

وَإِنَّAnd indeed,

جَهَنَّمَHell

لَمَوۡعِدُهُمۡ(is) surely the promised place for them

أَجۡمَعِينَall.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Expulsion of Iblis from Jannah, and His Reprieve until the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us how He issued an unconditional command to Iblis to leave the position he held among the highest of heights. He told him that he was an outcast, i.e., cursed, and that he would be followed by a curse that would hound him until the Day of Resurrection. It was reported that Sa`id bin Jubayr said: "When Allah cursed Iblis, his image into something different from that of the angels, and he made a sound like a bell. Every bell that rings on this earth until the Day of Resurrection is part of that. This was reported by Ibn Abi Hatim.

﴿ قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِى لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَأُغۡوِيَنَّہُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسۡتَقِيمٌ • إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيۡسَ لَكَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنٌ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ • وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوۡعِدُهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • لَهَا سَبۡعَةُ أَبۡوَٲبٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(39. Iblis ﴾said: "O my Lord! Because You misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all.'') (40. "Except Your chosen (guided) servants among them.'') (41. (Allah) said: "This is the way which will lead straight to Me.'') (42. "Certainly, you shall have no authority over My servants, except those of the astray who follow you.'') (43. And surely, Hell is the place promised for them all.) (44. It has seven gates, for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

44

لَهَا سَبۡعَةُ أَبۡوَٲبٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ

It has seven gates; for every gate is of them a portion designated."

لَهَاFor it

سَبۡعَةُ(are) seven

أَبۡوَٲبٍ۬gates,

لِّكُلِّfor each

بَابٍ۬gate

مِّنۡہُمۡamong them

جُزۡءٌ۬(is) a portion

مَّقۡسُومٌassigned.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Expulsion of Iblis from Jannah, and His Reprieve until the Day of Resurrection

Allah tells us how He issued an unconditional command to Iblis to leave the position he held among the highest of heights. He told him that he was an outcast, i.e., cursed, and that he would be followed by a curse that would hound him until the Day of Resurrection. It was reported that Sa`id bin Jubayr said: "When Allah cursed Iblis, his image into something different from that of the angels, and he made a sound like a bell. Every bell that rings on this earth until the Day of Resurrection is part of that. This was reported by Ibn Abi Hatim.

﴿ قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِى لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَأُغۡوِيَنَّہُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسۡتَقِيمٌ • إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيۡسَ لَكَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنٌ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ • وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوۡعِدُهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • لَهَا سَبۡعَةُ أَبۡوَٲبٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(39. Iblis ﴾said: "O my Lord! Because You misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all.'') (40. "Except Your chosen (guided) servants among them.'') (41. (Allah) said: "This is the way which will lead straight to Me.'') (42. "Certainly, you shall have no authority over My servants, except those of the astray who follow you.'') (43. And surely, Hell is the place promised for them all.) (44. It has seven gates, for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

45

إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ

Indeed, the righteous will be within gardens and springs.

إِنَّIndeed,

ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَthe righteous

فِى(will be) in

جَنَّـٰتٍ۬Gardens

وَعُيُونٍand water springs.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Gates of Hell are Seven

Then Allah tells us that Hell has seven gates:

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.) means, for each gate a portion of the followers of Iblis have been decreed, and they will have no choice in the matter. May Allah save us from that. Each one will enter a gate according to his deeds, and will settle in a level of Hell according to his deeds. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Samurah bin Jundub reported from the Prophet about,

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.) He said,

« إِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى كَعْبَيْهِ، وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى حُجْزَتِهِ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى تَرَاقِيه »

(Among the people of Hell are those whom the Fire will swallow up to the ankles, and those whom it will swallow up to the waist, and those whom it will swallow up to the collarbone.) The degree of which will depend upon their deeds. This is like the Ayah;

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ • ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ • وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ • لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ • نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(45. Truly, those who have Taqwa, will dwell in Gardens and water springs.) (46. (It will be said to them): "Enter it in peace and security.'') (47. And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) (48. No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they be asked to leave it. (49. Declare to My servants that I am truly the Forgiving, the Most Merciful.) (50. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.)

46

ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ

[Having been told], "Enter it in peace, safe [and secure]."

ٱدۡخُلُوهَا"Enter it

بِسَلَـٰمٍin peace,

ءَامِنِينَsecure."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Gates of Hell are Seven

Then Allah tells us that Hell has seven gates:

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.) means, for each gate a portion of the followers of Iblis have been decreed, and they will have no choice in the matter. May Allah save us from that. Each one will enter a gate according to his deeds, and will settle in a level of Hell according to his deeds. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Samurah bin Jundub reported from the Prophet about,

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.) He said,

« إِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى كَعْبَيْهِ، وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى حُجْزَتِهِ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى تَرَاقِيه »

(Among the people of Hell are those whom the Fire will swallow up to the ankles, and those whom it will swallow up to the waist, and those whom it will swallow up to the collarbone.) The degree of which will depend upon their deeds. This is like the Ayah;

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ • ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ • وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ • لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ • نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(45. Truly, those who have Taqwa, will dwell in Gardens and water springs.) (46. (It will be said to them): "Enter it in peace and security.'') (47. And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) (48. No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they be asked to leave it. (49. Declare to My servants that I am truly the Forgiving, the Most Merciful.) (50. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.)

47

وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ

And We will remove whatever is in their breasts of resentment, [so they will be] brothers, on thrones facing each other.

وَنَزَعۡنَاAnd We (will) remove

مَاwhat

فِى(is) in

صُدُورِهِمtheir breasts

مِّنۡof

غِلٍّrancor

إِخۡوَٲنًا(they will be) brothers

عَلَىٰon

سُرُرٍ۬thrones

مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَfacing each other.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Gates of Hell are Seven

Then Allah tells us that Hell has seven gates:

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.) means, for each gate a portion of the followers of Iblis have been decreed, and they will have no choice in the matter. May Allah save us from that. Each one will enter a gate according to his deeds, and will settle in a level of Hell according to his deeds. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Samurah bin Jundub reported from the Prophet about,

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.) He said,

« إِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى كَعْبَيْهِ، وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى حُجْزَتِهِ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى تَرَاقِيه »

(Among the people of Hell are those whom the Fire will swallow up to the ankles, and those whom it will swallow up to the waist, and those whom it will swallow up to the collarbone.) The degree of which will depend upon their deeds. This is like the Ayah;

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ • ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ • وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ • لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ • نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(45. Truly, those who have Taqwa, will dwell in Gardens and water springs.) (46. (It will be said to them): "Enter it in peace and security.'') (47. And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) (48. No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they be asked to leave it. (49. Declare to My servants that I am truly the Forgiving, the Most Merciful.) (50. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.)

48

لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ

No fatigue will touch them therein, nor from it will they [ever] be removed.

لَاNot

يَمَسُّهُمۡwill touch them

فِيهَاtherein

نَصَبٌ۬fatigue,

وَمَاand not

هُمthey

مِّنۡہَاfrom it

بِمُخۡرَجِينَwill be removed.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Gates of Hell are Seven

Then Allah tells us that Hell has seven gates:

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.) means, for each gate a portion of the followers of Iblis have been decreed, and they will have no choice in the matter. May Allah save us from that. Each one will enter a gate according to his deeds, and will settle in a level of Hell according to his deeds. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Samurah bin Jundub reported from the Prophet about,

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.) He said,

« إِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى كَعْبَيْهِ، وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى حُجْزَتِهِ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى تَرَاقِيه »

(Among the people of Hell are those whom the Fire will swallow up to the ankles, and those whom it will swallow up to the waist, and those whom it will swallow up to the collarbone.) The degree of which will depend upon their deeds. This is like the Ayah;

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ • ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ • وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ • لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ • نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(45. Truly, those who have Taqwa, will dwell in Gardens and water springs.) (46. (It will be said to them): "Enter it in peace and security.'') (47. And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) (48. No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they be asked to leave it. (49. Declare to My servants that I am truly the Forgiving, the Most Merciful.) (50. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.)

49

نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

[O Muhammad], inform My servants that it is I who am the Forgiving, the Merciful.

۞ نَبِّئۡInform

عِبَادِىٓMy slaves

أَنِّىٓthat I,

أَنَاI am

ٱلۡغَفُورُthe Oft-Forgiving,

ٱلرَّحِيمُthe Most Merciful.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Gates of Hell are Seven

Then Allah tells us that Hell has seven gates:

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.) means, for each gate a portion of the followers of Iblis have been decreed, and they will have no choice in the matter. May Allah save us from that. Each one will enter a gate according to his deeds, and will settle in a level of Hell according to his deeds. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Samurah bin Jundub reported from the Prophet about,

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.) He said,

« إِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى كَعْبَيْهِ، وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى حُجْزَتِهِ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى تَرَاقِيه »

(Among the people of Hell are those whom the Fire will swallow up to the ankles, and those whom it will swallow up to the waist, and those whom it will swallow up to the collarbone.) The degree of which will depend upon their deeds. This is like the Ayah;

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ • ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ • وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ • لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ • نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(45. Truly, those who have Taqwa, will dwell in Gardens and water springs.) (46. (It will be said to them): "Enter it in peace and security.'') (47. And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) (48. No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they be asked to leave it. (49. Declare to My servants that I am truly the Forgiving, the Most Merciful.) (50. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.)

50

وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ

And that it is My punishment which is the painful punishment.

وَأَنَّAnd that

عَذَابِىMy punishment,

هُوَit

ٱلۡعَذَابُ(is) the punishment

ٱلۡأَلِيمُthe most painful.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Gates of Hell are Seven

Then Allah tells us that Hell has seven gates:

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.) means, for each gate a portion of the followers of Iblis have been decreed, and they will have no choice in the matter. May Allah save us from that. Each one will enter a gate according to his deeds, and will settle in a level of Hell according to his deeds. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Samurah bin Jundub reported from the Prophet about,

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.) He said,

« إِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى كَعْبَيْهِ، وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى حُجْزَتِهِ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ تَأْخُذُهُ النَّارُ إِلَى تَرَاقِيه »

(Among the people of Hell are those whom the Fire will swallow up to the ankles, and those whom it will swallow up to the waist, and those whom it will swallow up to the collarbone.) The degree of which will depend upon their deeds. This is like the Ayah;

﴿ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ جُزۡءٌ۬ مَّقۡسُومٌ ﴾

(for each of those gates is a class assigned.)

﴿ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ • ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ • وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ • لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ • نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(45. Truly, those who have Taqwa, will dwell in Gardens and water springs.) (46. (It will be said to them): "Enter it in peace and security.'') (47. And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) (48. No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they be asked to leave it. (49. Declare to My servants that I am truly the Forgiving, the Most Merciful.) (50. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.)

51

وَنَبِّئۡهُمۡ عَن ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ

And inform them about the guests of Abraham,

وَنَبِّئۡهُمۡAnd inform them

عَنabout

ضَيۡفِ(the) guests

إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ(of) Ibrahim,

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Description of the People of Paradise

Since Allah mentioned the condition of the people of Hell, He followed that by mentioning the people of Paradise. He tells us that they will dwell in Gardens and water springs.

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ﴾

(Enter it in peace) meaning free of all problems.

﴿ ءَامِنِينَ ﴾

(and security.) meaning free from all fear and concern. They will not have any fear of expulsion, nor will they fear that their condition will be disrupted or end.

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) Al-Qasim narrated that Abu Umamah said: "The people of Paradise will enter Paradise with whatever enmity is left in their hearts from this world. Then, when they come together, Allah will remove whatever hatred the world has left in their hearts.'' Then he recited:

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts.) This is how it was narrated in this report, but Al-Qasim bin `Abdur-Rahman is weak in his reports from Abu Umamah. However, this is in accord with the report in the Sahih where Qatadah says, "Abu Al-Mutawakkil An-Naji told us that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri told them that the Messenger of Allah said:

« يَخْلُصُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ مِنَ النَّارِ، فَيُحْبَسُونَ عَلَى قَنْطَرَةٍ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ. فَيُقْتَصُّ لِبَعْضِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ مَظَالِمُ كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى إِذَا هُذِّبُوا وَنُقُّوا، أُذِنَ لَهُمْ فِي دُخُولِ الْجَنَّة »

(The believers will be removed from the Fire, and they will be detained on a bridge between Paradise and Hell. Then judgment will be passed between them concerning any wrong they have committed in this world against one another, until they are cleansed and purified. Then permission will be given to them to enter Paradise.)''

﴿ لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ ﴾

(No sense of fatigue shall touch them) meaning no harm or hardship, as was reported in the Sahihs:

« أَنَّ اللهَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أُبَشِّرَ خَدِيجَةَ بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ قَصَبٍ لَا صَخَبَ فِيهِ وَلَا نَصَب »

(Allah commanded me to tell Khadijah the good news of a jeweled palace in Paradise in which there will be no toil and no fatigue.)

﴿ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ ﴾

(nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.) As was reported in the Hadith:

« يُقَالُ: يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَصِحُّوا فَلَا تَمْرَضُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَعِيشُوا فَلَا تَمُوتُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَشِبُّوا فَلَا تَهْرَمُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تُقِيمُوا فَلَا تَظْعُنُوا أَبَدًا »

(It will be said, O dwellers of Paradise! You will be healthy and never fall sick; you will live and never die; you will be young and never grow old; you will stay here and never leave.) Allah says:

﴿ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا لَا يَبۡغُونَ عَنۡہَا حِوَلاً۬ ﴾

(Wherein they shall dwell (forever). They will have no desire to be removed from it.) (18:108)

﴿ نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(Declare to My servants, that I am truly the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.) meaning, `O Muhammad, tell My servants that I am the source of mercy and I am the source of punishment.' Similar Ayat to this have already been quoted above, which indicate that we must always be in a state between hope (for Allah's mercy) and fear (of His punishment).

﴿ وَنَبِّئۡهُمۡ عَن ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ • إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ • قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ • قَالَ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ • قَالَ وَمَن يَقۡنَطُ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ إِلَّا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ ﴾

(51. And tell them about the guests (i.e., the angels) of Ibrahim.) (52. When they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') (53. They said: "Do not be afraid! We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.'') (54. He said: "Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about'') (55. They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'') (56. He said: "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray'')

52

إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ

When they entered upon him and said, "Peace." [Abraham] said, "Indeed, we are fearful of you."

إِذۡWhen

دَخَلُواْthey entered

عَلَيۡهِupon him

فَقَالُواْand said,

سَلَـٰمً۬ا"Peace."

قَالَHe said,

إِنَّا"Indeed, we

مِنكُمۡ(are) of you

وَجِلُونَafraid."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Description of the People of Paradise

Since Allah mentioned the condition of the people of Hell, He followed that by mentioning the people of Paradise. He tells us that they will dwell in Gardens and water springs.

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ﴾

(Enter it in peace) meaning free of all problems.

﴿ ءَامِنِينَ ﴾

(and security.) meaning free from all fear and concern. They will not have any fear of expulsion, nor will they fear that their condition will be disrupted or end.

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) Al-Qasim narrated that Abu Umamah said: "The people of Paradise will enter Paradise with whatever enmity is left in their hearts from this world. Then, when they come together, Allah will remove whatever hatred the world has left in their hearts.'' Then he recited:

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts.) This is how it was narrated in this report, but Al-Qasim bin `Abdur-Rahman is weak in his reports from Abu Umamah. However, this is in accord with the report in the Sahih where Qatadah says, "Abu Al-Mutawakkil An-Naji told us that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri told them that the Messenger of Allah said:

« يَخْلُصُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ مِنَ النَّارِ، فَيُحْبَسُونَ عَلَى قَنْطَرَةٍ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ. فَيُقْتَصُّ لِبَعْضِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ مَظَالِمُ كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى إِذَا هُذِّبُوا وَنُقُّوا، أُذِنَ لَهُمْ فِي دُخُولِ الْجَنَّة »

(The believers will be removed from the Fire, and they will be detained on a bridge between Paradise and Hell. Then judgment will be passed between them concerning any wrong they have committed in this world against one another, until they are cleansed and purified. Then permission will be given to them to enter Paradise.)''

﴿ لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ ﴾

(No sense of fatigue shall touch them) meaning no harm or hardship, as was reported in the Sahihs:

« أَنَّ اللهَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أُبَشِّرَ خَدِيجَةَ بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ قَصَبٍ لَا صَخَبَ فِيهِ وَلَا نَصَب »

(Allah commanded me to tell Khadijah the good news of a jeweled palace in Paradise in which there will be no toil and no fatigue.)

﴿ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ ﴾

(nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.) As was reported in the Hadith:

« يُقَالُ: يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَصِحُّوا فَلَا تَمْرَضُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَعِيشُوا فَلَا تَمُوتُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَشِبُّوا فَلَا تَهْرَمُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تُقِيمُوا فَلَا تَظْعُنُوا أَبَدًا »

(It will be said, O dwellers of Paradise! You will be healthy and never fall sick; you will live and never die; you will be young and never grow old; you will stay here and never leave.) Allah says:

﴿ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا لَا يَبۡغُونَ عَنۡہَا حِوَلاً۬ ﴾

(Wherein they shall dwell (forever). They will have no desire to be removed from it.) (18:108)

﴿ نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(Declare to My servants, that I am truly the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.) meaning, `O Muhammad, tell My servants that I am the source of mercy and I am the source of punishment.' Similar Ayat to this have already been quoted above, which indicate that we must always be in a state between hope (for Allah's mercy) and fear (of His punishment).

﴿ وَنَبِّئۡهُمۡ عَن ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ • إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ • قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ • قَالَ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ • قَالَ وَمَن يَقۡنَطُ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ إِلَّا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ ﴾

(51. And tell them about the guests (i.e., the angels) of Ibrahim.) (52. When they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') (53. They said: "Do not be afraid! We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.'') (54. He said: "Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about'') (55. They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'') (56. He said: "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray'')

53

قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬

[The angels] said, "Fear not. Indeed, we give you good tidings of a learned boy."

قَالُواْThey said,

لَا"(Do) not

تَوۡجَلۡbe afraid,

إِنَّاindeed, we

نُبَشِّرُكَ[we] bring glad tidings to you

بِغُلَـٰمٍof a boy

عَلِيمٍ۬learned."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Description of the People of Paradise

Since Allah mentioned the condition of the people of Hell, He followed that by mentioning the people of Paradise. He tells us that they will dwell in Gardens and water springs.

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ﴾

(Enter it in peace) meaning free of all problems.

﴿ ءَامِنِينَ ﴾

(and security.) meaning free from all fear and concern. They will not have any fear of expulsion, nor will they fear that their condition will be disrupted or end.

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) Al-Qasim narrated that Abu Umamah said: "The people of Paradise will enter Paradise with whatever enmity is left in their hearts from this world. Then, when they come together, Allah will remove whatever hatred the world has left in their hearts.'' Then he recited:

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts.) This is how it was narrated in this report, but Al-Qasim bin `Abdur-Rahman is weak in his reports from Abu Umamah. However, this is in accord with the report in the Sahih where Qatadah says, "Abu Al-Mutawakkil An-Naji told us that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri told them that the Messenger of Allah said:

« يَخْلُصُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ مِنَ النَّارِ، فَيُحْبَسُونَ عَلَى قَنْطَرَةٍ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ. فَيُقْتَصُّ لِبَعْضِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ مَظَالِمُ كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى إِذَا هُذِّبُوا وَنُقُّوا، أُذِنَ لَهُمْ فِي دُخُولِ الْجَنَّة »

(The believers will be removed from the Fire, and they will be detained on a bridge between Paradise and Hell. Then judgment will be passed between them concerning any wrong they have committed in this world against one another, until they are cleansed and purified. Then permission will be given to them to enter Paradise.)''

﴿ لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ ﴾

(No sense of fatigue shall touch them) meaning no harm or hardship, as was reported in the Sahihs:

« أَنَّ اللهَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أُبَشِّرَ خَدِيجَةَ بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ قَصَبٍ لَا صَخَبَ فِيهِ وَلَا نَصَب »

(Allah commanded me to tell Khadijah the good news of a jeweled palace in Paradise in which there will be no toil and no fatigue.)

﴿ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ ﴾

(nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.) As was reported in the Hadith:

« يُقَالُ: يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَصِحُّوا فَلَا تَمْرَضُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَعِيشُوا فَلَا تَمُوتُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَشِبُّوا فَلَا تَهْرَمُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تُقِيمُوا فَلَا تَظْعُنُوا أَبَدًا »

(It will be said, O dwellers of Paradise! You will be healthy and never fall sick; you will live and never die; you will be young and never grow old; you will stay here and never leave.) Allah says:

﴿ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا لَا يَبۡغُونَ عَنۡہَا حِوَلاً۬ ﴾

(Wherein they shall dwell (forever). They will have no desire to be removed from it.) (18:108)

﴿ نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(Declare to My servants, that I am truly the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.) meaning, `O Muhammad, tell My servants that I am the source of mercy and I am the source of punishment.' Similar Ayat to this have already been quoted above, which indicate that we must always be in a state between hope (for Allah's mercy) and fear (of His punishment).

﴿ وَنَبِّئۡهُمۡ عَن ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ • إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ • قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ • قَالَ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ • قَالَ وَمَن يَقۡنَطُ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ إِلَّا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ ﴾

(51. And tell them about the guests (i.e., the angels) of Ibrahim.) (52. When they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') (53. They said: "Do not be afraid! We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.'') (54. He said: "Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about'') (55. They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'') (56. He said: "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray'')

54

قَالَ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ

He said, "Have you given me good tidings although old age has come upon me? Then of what [wonder] do you inform?"

قَالَHe said,

أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ"Do you give me glad tidings

أَنalthough

مَّسَّنِىَhas overtaken me

ٱلۡڪِبَرُold age?

فَبِمَThen about what

تُبَشِّرُونَyou give glad tidings?"

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Description of the People of Paradise

Since Allah mentioned the condition of the people of Hell, He followed that by mentioning the people of Paradise. He tells us that they will dwell in Gardens and water springs.

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ﴾

(Enter it in peace) meaning free of all problems.

﴿ ءَامِنِينَ ﴾

(and security.) meaning free from all fear and concern. They will not have any fear of expulsion, nor will they fear that their condition will be disrupted or end.

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) Al-Qasim narrated that Abu Umamah said: "The people of Paradise will enter Paradise with whatever enmity is left in their hearts from this world. Then, when they come together, Allah will remove whatever hatred the world has left in their hearts.'' Then he recited:

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts.) This is how it was narrated in this report, but Al-Qasim bin `Abdur-Rahman is weak in his reports from Abu Umamah. However, this is in accord with the report in the Sahih where Qatadah says, "Abu Al-Mutawakkil An-Naji told us that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri told them that the Messenger of Allah said:

« يَخْلُصُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ مِنَ النَّارِ، فَيُحْبَسُونَ عَلَى قَنْطَرَةٍ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ. فَيُقْتَصُّ لِبَعْضِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ مَظَالِمُ كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى إِذَا هُذِّبُوا وَنُقُّوا، أُذِنَ لَهُمْ فِي دُخُولِ الْجَنَّة »

(The believers will be removed from the Fire, and they will be detained on a bridge between Paradise and Hell. Then judgment will be passed between them concerning any wrong they have committed in this world against one another, until they are cleansed and purified. Then permission will be given to them to enter Paradise.)''

﴿ لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ ﴾

(No sense of fatigue shall touch them) meaning no harm or hardship, as was reported in the Sahihs:

« أَنَّ اللهَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أُبَشِّرَ خَدِيجَةَ بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ قَصَبٍ لَا صَخَبَ فِيهِ وَلَا نَصَب »

(Allah commanded me to tell Khadijah the good news of a jeweled palace in Paradise in which there will be no toil and no fatigue.)

﴿ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ ﴾

(nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.) As was reported in the Hadith:

« يُقَالُ: يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَصِحُّوا فَلَا تَمْرَضُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَعِيشُوا فَلَا تَمُوتُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَشِبُّوا فَلَا تَهْرَمُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تُقِيمُوا فَلَا تَظْعُنُوا أَبَدًا »

(It will be said, O dwellers of Paradise! You will be healthy and never fall sick; you will live and never die; you will be young and never grow old; you will stay here and never leave.) Allah says:

﴿ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا لَا يَبۡغُونَ عَنۡہَا حِوَلاً۬ ﴾

(Wherein they shall dwell (forever). They will have no desire to be removed from it.) (18:108)

﴿ نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(Declare to My servants, that I am truly the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.) meaning, `O Muhammad, tell My servants that I am the source of mercy and I am the source of punishment.' Similar Ayat to this have already been quoted above, which indicate that we must always be in a state between hope (for Allah's mercy) and fear (of His punishment).

﴿ وَنَبِّئۡهُمۡ عَن ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ • إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ • قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ • قَالَ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ • قَالَ وَمَن يَقۡنَطُ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ إِلَّا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ ﴾

(51. And tell them about the guests (i.e., the angels) of Ibrahim.) (52. When they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') (53. They said: "Do not be afraid! We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.'') (54. He said: "Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about'') (55. They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'') (56. He said: "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray'')

55

قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ

They said, "We have given you good tidings in truth, so do not be of the despairing."

قَالُواْThey said,

بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ"We give you glad tidings

بِٱلۡحَقِّin truth,

فَلَاso (do) not

تَكُنbe

مِّنَof

ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَthe despairing."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Description of the People of Paradise

Since Allah mentioned the condition of the people of Hell, He followed that by mentioning the people of Paradise. He tells us that they will dwell in Gardens and water springs.

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ﴾

(Enter it in peace) meaning free of all problems.

﴿ ءَامِنِينَ ﴾

(and security.) meaning free from all fear and concern. They will not have any fear of expulsion, nor will they fear that their condition will be disrupted or end.

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) Al-Qasim narrated that Abu Umamah said: "The people of Paradise will enter Paradise with whatever enmity is left in their hearts from this world. Then, when they come together, Allah will remove whatever hatred the world has left in their hearts.'' Then he recited:

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts.) This is how it was narrated in this report, but Al-Qasim bin `Abdur-Rahman is weak in his reports from Abu Umamah. However, this is in accord with the report in the Sahih where Qatadah says, "Abu Al-Mutawakkil An-Naji told us that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri told them that the Messenger of Allah said:

« يَخْلُصُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ مِنَ النَّارِ، فَيُحْبَسُونَ عَلَى قَنْطَرَةٍ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ. فَيُقْتَصُّ لِبَعْضِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ مَظَالِمُ كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى إِذَا هُذِّبُوا وَنُقُّوا، أُذِنَ لَهُمْ فِي دُخُولِ الْجَنَّة »

(The believers will be removed from the Fire, and they will be detained on a bridge between Paradise and Hell. Then judgment will be passed between them concerning any wrong they have committed in this world against one another, until they are cleansed and purified. Then permission will be given to them to enter Paradise.)''

﴿ لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ ﴾

(No sense of fatigue shall touch them) meaning no harm or hardship, as was reported in the Sahihs:

« أَنَّ اللهَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أُبَشِّرَ خَدِيجَةَ بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ قَصَبٍ لَا صَخَبَ فِيهِ وَلَا نَصَب »

(Allah commanded me to tell Khadijah the good news of a jeweled palace in Paradise in which there will be no toil and no fatigue.)

﴿ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ ﴾

(nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.) As was reported in the Hadith:

« يُقَالُ: يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَصِحُّوا فَلَا تَمْرَضُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَعِيشُوا فَلَا تَمُوتُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَشِبُّوا فَلَا تَهْرَمُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تُقِيمُوا فَلَا تَظْعُنُوا أَبَدًا »

(It will be said, O dwellers of Paradise! You will be healthy and never fall sick; you will live and never die; you will be young and never grow old; you will stay here and never leave.) Allah says:

﴿ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا لَا يَبۡغُونَ عَنۡہَا حِوَلاً۬ ﴾

(Wherein they shall dwell (forever). They will have no desire to be removed from it.) (18:108)

﴿ نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(Declare to My servants, that I am truly the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.) meaning, `O Muhammad, tell My servants that I am the source of mercy and I am the source of punishment.' Similar Ayat to this have already been quoted above, which indicate that we must always be in a state between hope (for Allah's mercy) and fear (of His punishment).

﴿ وَنَبِّئۡهُمۡ عَن ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ • إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ • قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ • قَالَ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ • قَالَ وَمَن يَقۡنَطُ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ إِلَّا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ ﴾

(51. And tell them about the guests (i.e., the angels) of Ibrahim.) (52. When they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') (53. They said: "Do not be afraid! We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.'') (54. He said: "Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about'') (55. They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'') (56. He said: "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray'')

56

قَالَ وَمَن يَقۡنَطُ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ إِلَّا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ

He said, "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for those astray?"

قَالَHe said,

وَمَن"And who

يَقۡنَطُdespairs

مِنof

رَّحۡمَةِ(the) Mercy

رَبِّهِۦۤ(of) his Lord

إِلَّاexcept

ٱلضَّآلُّونَthose who are astray."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Description of the People of Paradise

Since Allah mentioned the condition of the people of Hell, He followed that by mentioning the people of Paradise. He tells us that they will dwell in Gardens and water springs.

﴿ ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ﴾

(Enter it in peace) meaning free of all problems.

﴿ ءَامِنِينَ ﴾

(and security.) meaning free from all fear and concern. They will not have any fear of expulsion, nor will they fear that their condition will be disrupted or end.

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts. (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.) Al-Qasim narrated that Abu Umamah said: "The people of Paradise will enter Paradise with whatever enmity is left in their hearts from this world. Then, when they come together, Allah will remove whatever hatred the world has left in their hearts.'' Then he recited:

﴿ وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ ﴾

(And We shall remove any deep feeling of bitterness from their breasts.) This is how it was narrated in this report, but Al-Qasim bin `Abdur-Rahman is weak in his reports from Abu Umamah. However, this is in accord with the report in the Sahih where Qatadah says, "Abu Al-Mutawakkil An-Naji told us that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri told them that the Messenger of Allah said:

« يَخْلُصُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ مِنَ النَّارِ، فَيُحْبَسُونَ عَلَى قَنْطَرَةٍ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ. فَيُقْتَصُّ لِبَعْضِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ مَظَالِمُ كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى إِذَا هُذِّبُوا وَنُقُّوا، أُذِنَ لَهُمْ فِي دُخُولِ الْجَنَّة »

(The believers will be removed from the Fire, and they will be detained on a bridge between Paradise and Hell. Then judgment will be passed between them concerning any wrong they have committed in this world against one another, until they are cleansed and purified. Then permission will be given to them to enter Paradise.)''

﴿ لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ ﴾

(No sense of fatigue shall touch them) meaning no harm or hardship, as was reported in the Sahihs:

« أَنَّ اللهَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أُبَشِّرَ خَدِيجَةَ بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ قَصَبٍ لَا صَخَبَ فِيهِ وَلَا نَصَب »

(Allah commanded me to tell Khadijah the good news of a jeweled palace in Paradise in which there will be no toil and no fatigue.)

﴿ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ ﴾

(nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.) As was reported in the Hadith:

« يُقَالُ: يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَصِحُّوا فَلَا تَمْرَضُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَعِيشُوا فَلَا تَمُوتُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَشِبُّوا فَلَا تَهْرَمُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تُقِيمُوا فَلَا تَظْعُنُوا أَبَدًا »

(It will be said, O dwellers of Paradise! You will be healthy and never fall sick; you will live and never die; you will be young and never grow old; you will stay here and never leave.) Allah says:

﴿ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا لَا يَبۡغُونَ عَنۡہَا حِوَلاً۬ ﴾

(Wherein they shall dwell (forever). They will have no desire to be removed from it.) (18:108)

﴿ نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ • وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ ﴾

(Declare to My servants, that I am truly the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.) meaning, `O Muhammad, tell My servants that I am the source of mercy and I am the source of punishment.' Similar Ayat to this have already been quoted above, which indicate that we must always be in a state between hope (for Allah's mercy) and fear (of His punishment).

﴿ وَنَبِّئۡهُمۡ عَن ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ • إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ • قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ • قَالَ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ • قَالَ وَمَن يَقۡنَطُ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ إِلَّا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ ﴾

(51. And tell them about the guests (i.e., the angels) of Ibrahim.) (52. When they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') (53. They said: "Do not be afraid! We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.'') (54. He said: "Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about'') (55. They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'') (56. He said: "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray'')

57

قَالَ فَمَا خَطۡبُكُمۡ أَيُّہَا ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ

[Abraham] said, "Then what is your business [here], O messengers?"

قَالَHe said,

فَمَا"Then what

خَطۡبُكُمۡ(is) your business,

أَيُّہَا ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَO messengers?"

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Guests of Ibrahim and their Good News of a Son for Him

Allah is saying: `Tell them, O Muhammad, about the story of

﴿ ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ ﴾

(the guests of Ibrahim.)'

﴿ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ ﴾

(they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') meaning that they were scared. The reason for their fear has been mentioned previously, which is that they noticed that these guests did not eat of the food that was offered, which was a fattened calf.

﴿ قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ ﴾

(They said: "Do not be afraid!..'') meaning, do not be scared.

﴿ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ ﴾

(We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.) this refers to Ishaq, as was previously mentioned in Surat Hud. Then

﴿ قَالَ ﴾

(He said) meaning he spoke with wonder and astonishment, asking for confirmation, because he was old and his wife was old:

﴿ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ ﴾

(Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about) They responded by confirming the good news they had brought, good news after good news:

﴿ قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ ﴾

(They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'')

﴿ قَالَ فَمَا خَطۡبُكُمۡ أَيُّہَا ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ • قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّجۡرِمِينَ • إِلَّآ ءَالَ لُوطٍ إِنَّا لَمُنَجُّوهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥ قَدَّرۡنَآ‌ۙ إِنَّہَا لَمِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ ﴾

(57. He said: "What then is the business for which you have come, O messengers'') (58. They said: "We have been sent to a guilty people.'') (59. "(All) except the family of Lut, all of whom we are to save (from the destruction).'') (60. "Except for his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind.'')

58

قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّجۡرِمِينَ

They said, "Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals,

قَالُوٓاْThey said,

إِنَّآ"Indeed, we

أُرۡسِلۡنَآ[we] have been sent

إِلَىٰto

قَوۡمٍ۬a people -

مُّجۡرِمِينَcriminals,

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Guests of Ibrahim and their Good News of a Son for Him

Allah is saying: `Tell them, O Muhammad, about the story of

﴿ ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ ﴾

(the guests of Ibrahim.)'

﴿ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ ﴾

(they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') meaning that they were scared. The reason for their fear has been mentioned previously, which is that they noticed that these guests did not eat of the food that was offered, which was a fattened calf.

﴿ قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ ﴾

(They said: "Do not be afraid!..'') meaning, do not be scared.

﴿ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ ﴾

(We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.) this refers to Ishaq, as was previously mentioned in Surat Hud. Then

﴿ قَالَ ﴾

(He said) meaning he spoke with wonder and astonishment, asking for confirmation, because he was old and his wife was old:

﴿ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ ﴾

(Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about) They responded by confirming the good news they had brought, good news after good news:

﴿ قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ ﴾

(They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'')

﴿ قَالَ فَمَا خَطۡبُكُمۡ أَيُّہَا ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ • قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّجۡرِمِينَ • إِلَّآ ءَالَ لُوطٍ إِنَّا لَمُنَجُّوهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥ قَدَّرۡنَآ‌ۙ إِنَّہَا لَمِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ ﴾

(57. He said: "What then is the business for which you have come, O messengers'') (58. They said: "We have been sent to a guilty people.'') (59. "(All) except the family of Lut, all of whom we are to save (from the destruction).'') (60. "Except for his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind.'')

59

إِلَّآ ءَالَ لُوطٍ إِنَّا لَمُنَجُّوهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

Except the family of Lot; indeed, we will save them all

إِلَّآExcept

ءَالَthe family

لُوطٍof Lut;

إِنَّاindeed, we

لَمُنَجُّوهُمۡsurely will save them

أَجۡمَعِينَall

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Guests of Ibrahim and their Good News of a Son for Him

Allah is saying: `Tell them, O Muhammad, about the story of

﴿ ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ ﴾

(the guests of Ibrahim.)'

﴿ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ ﴾

(they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') meaning that they were scared. The reason for their fear has been mentioned previously, which is that they noticed that these guests did not eat of the food that was offered, which was a fattened calf.

﴿ قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ ﴾

(They said: "Do not be afraid!..'') meaning, do not be scared.

﴿ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ ﴾

(We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.) this refers to Ishaq, as was previously mentioned in Surat Hud. Then

﴿ قَالَ ﴾

(He said) meaning he spoke with wonder and astonishment, asking for confirmation, because he was old and his wife was old:

﴿ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ ﴾

(Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about) They responded by confirming the good news they had brought, good news after good news:

﴿ قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ ﴾

(They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'')

﴿ قَالَ فَمَا خَطۡبُكُمۡ أَيُّہَا ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ • قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّجۡرِمِينَ • إِلَّآ ءَالَ لُوطٍ إِنَّا لَمُنَجُّوهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥ قَدَّرۡنَآ‌ۙ إِنَّہَا لَمِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ ﴾

(57. He said: "What then is the business for which you have come, O messengers'') (58. They said: "We have been sent to a guilty people.'') (59. "(All) except the family of Lut, all of whom we are to save (from the destruction).'') (60. "Except for his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind.'')

60

إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥ قَدَّرۡنَآ‌ۙ إِنَّہَا لَمِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ

Except his wife." Allah decreed that she is of those who remain behind.

إِلَّاExcept

ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥhis wife."

قَدَّرۡنَآ‌ۙWe have decreed

إِنَّہَاthat she

لَمِنَ(is) surely of

ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَthose who remain behind.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Guests of Ibrahim and their Good News of a Son for Him

Allah is saying: `Tell them, O Muhammad, about the story of

﴿ ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ ﴾

(the guests of Ibrahim.)'

﴿ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ ﴾

(they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') meaning that they were scared. The reason for their fear has been mentioned previously, which is that they noticed that these guests did not eat of the food that was offered, which was a fattened calf.

﴿ قَالُواْ لَا تَوۡجَلۡ ﴾

(They said: "Do not be afraid!..'') meaning, do not be scared.

﴿ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَـٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ ﴾

(We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.) this refers to Ishaq, as was previously mentioned in Surat Hud. Then

﴿ قَالَ ﴾

(He said) meaning he spoke with wonder and astonishment, asking for confirmation, because he was old and his wife was old:

﴿ أَبَشَّرۡتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلۡڪِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ ﴾

(Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about) They responded by confirming the good news they had brought, good news after good news:

﴿ قَالُواْ بَشَّرۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡقَـٰنِطِينَ ﴾

(They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'')

﴿ قَالَ فَمَا خَطۡبُكُمۡ أَيُّہَا ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ • قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّجۡرِمِينَ • إِلَّآ ءَالَ لُوطٍ إِنَّا لَمُنَجُّوهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥ قَدَّرۡنَآ‌ۙ إِنَّہَا لَمِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ ﴾

(57. He said: "What then is the business for which you have come, O messengers'') (58. They said: "We have been sent to a guilty people.'') (59. "(All) except the family of Lut, all of whom we are to save (from the destruction).'') (60. "Except for his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind.'')

61

فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ

And when the messengers came to the family of Lot,

فَلَمَّاAnd when

جَآءَcame

ءَالَ(to the) family

لُوطٍ(of) Lut

ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَthe messengers,

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Reason why the Angels came

Allah tells us that after Ibrahim had calmed down from the excitement of this good news, he started to ask them why they had come to him. They said,

﴿ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّجۡرِمِينَ ﴾

(We have been sent to a guilty people.) meaning the people of Lut. They told him that they were going to save the family of Lut from among those people, except for his wife, because she was one of those who were doomed. Thus it was said,

﴿ إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥ قَدَّرۡنَآ‌ۙ إِنَّہَا لَمِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ ﴾

(Except for his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind.) i.e., she was one of those who would be left behind and will be destroyed.

﴿ فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ • قَالَ إِنَّكُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مُّنڪَرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَلۡ جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَمۡتَرُونَ • وَأَتَيۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ ﴾

(61. Then when the messengers (the angels) came to the family of Lut) (62. He (Lut) said: "Verily, you are people unknown to me.'') (63. They said: "Nay, we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting.'') (64. "And we have brought you the truth and certainly we tell the truth.'')

62

قَالَ إِنَّكُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مُّنڪَرُونَ

He said, "Indeed, you are people unknown."

قَالَHe said,

إِنَّكُمۡ"Indeed, you

قَوۡمٌ۬(are) a people

مُّنڪَرُونَunknown."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Reason why the Angels came

Allah tells us that after Ibrahim had calmed down from the excitement of this good news, he started to ask them why they had come to him. They said,

﴿ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّجۡرِمِينَ ﴾

(We have been sent to a guilty people.) meaning the people of Lut. They told him that they were going to save the family of Lut from among those people, except for his wife, because she was one of those who were doomed. Thus it was said,

﴿ إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥ قَدَّرۡنَآ‌ۙ إِنَّہَا لَمِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ ﴾

(Except for his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind.) i.e., she was one of those who would be left behind and will be destroyed.

﴿ فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ • قَالَ إِنَّكُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مُّنڪَرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَلۡ جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَمۡتَرُونَ • وَأَتَيۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ ﴾

(61. Then when the messengers (the angels) came to the family of Lut) (62. He (Lut) said: "Verily, you are people unknown to me.'') (63. They said: "Nay, we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting.'') (64. "And we have brought you the truth and certainly we tell the truth.'')

63

قَالُواْ بَلۡ جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَمۡتَرُونَ

They said, "But we have come to you with that about which they were disputing,

قَالُواْThey said,

بَلۡ"Nay,

جِئۡنَـٰكَwe have come to you

بِمَاwith what

كَانُواْthey were

فِيهِin it

يَمۡتَرُونَdisputing,

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Reason why the Angels came

Allah tells us that after Ibrahim had calmed down from the excitement of this good news, he started to ask them why they had come to him. They said,

﴿ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّجۡرِمِينَ ﴾

(We have been sent to a guilty people.) meaning the people of Lut. They told him that they were going to save the family of Lut from among those people, except for his wife, because she was one of those who were doomed. Thus it was said,

﴿ إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥ قَدَّرۡنَآ‌ۙ إِنَّہَا لَمِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ ﴾

(Except for his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind.) i.e., she was one of those who would be left behind and will be destroyed.

﴿ فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ • قَالَ إِنَّكُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مُّنڪَرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَلۡ جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَمۡتَرُونَ • وَأَتَيۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ ﴾

(61. Then when the messengers (the angels) came to the family of Lut) (62. He (Lut) said: "Verily, you are people unknown to me.'') (63. They said: "Nay, we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting.'') (64. "And we have brought you the truth and certainly we tell the truth.'')

64

وَأَتَيۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ

And we have come to you with truth, and indeed, we are truthful.

وَأَتَيۡنَـٰكَAnd we have come to you

بِٱلۡحَقِّwith the truth,

وَإِنَّاand indeed, we

لَصَـٰدِقُونَsurely (are) truthful.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Reason why the Angels came

Allah tells us that after Ibrahim had calmed down from the excitement of this good news, he started to ask them why they had come to him. They said,

﴿ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّجۡرِمِينَ ﴾

(We have been sent to a guilty people.) meaning the people of Lut. They told him that they were going to save the family of Lut from among those people, except for his wife, because she was one of those who were doomed. Thus it was said,

﴿ إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُ ۥ قَدَّرۡنَآ‌ۙ إِنَّہَا لَمِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ ﴾

(Except for his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind.) i.e., she was one of those who would be left behind and will be destroyed.

﴿ فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ • قَالَ إِنَّكُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مُّنڪَرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَلۡ جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَمۡتَرُونَ • وَأَتَيۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ ﴾

(61. Then when the messengers (the angels) came to the family of Lut) (62. He (Lut) said: "Verily, you are people unknown to me.'') (63. They said: "Nay, we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting.'') (64. "And we have brought you the truth and certainly we tell the truth.'')

65

فَأَسۡرِ بِأَهۡلِكَ بِقِطۡعٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱتَّبِعۡ أَدۡبَـٰرَهُمۡ وَلَا يَلۡتَفِتۡ مِنكُمۡ أَحَدٌ۬ وَٱمۡضُواْ حَيۡثُ تُؤۡمَرُونَ

So set out with your family during a portion of the night and follow behind them and let not anyone among you look back and continue on to where you are commanded."

فَأَسۡرِSo travel

بِأَهۡلِكَwith your family

بِقِطۡعٍ۬in a portion

مِّنَof

ٱلَّيۡلِthe night

وَٱتَّبِعۡand follow

أَدۡبَـٰرَهُمۡtheir backs,

وَلَاand not

يَلۡتَفِتۡlet look back

مِنكُمۡamong you

أَحَدٌ۬anyone,

وَٱمۡضُواْand go on

حَيۡثُwhere

تُؤۡمَرُونَyou are ordered."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Angels coming to Lut

Allah tells us about when the angels came to Lut in the form of young men with handsome faces. When they entered his home, he said:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مُّنڪَرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَلۡ جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَمۡتَرُونَ ﴾

("Verily, you are people unknown to me.'' They said: "Nay, we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting.'') meaning that they were bringing the punishment and destruction that the people doubted they would ever suffer from.

﴿ وَأَتَيۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ ﴾

(And we have brought you the truth) is like the Ayah,

﴿ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ ﴾

(We do not send the angels down except with the truth) (15:8) and

﴿ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ ﴾

(and certainly, we tell the truth.) They said this in affirmation of the news that they brought him, that he would be saved and his people would be destroyed.

﴿ فَأَسۡرِ بِأَهۡلِكَ بِقِطۡعٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱتَّبِعۡ أَدۡبَـٰرَهُمۡ وَلَا يَلۡتَفِتۡ مِنكُمۡ أَحَدٌ۬ وَٱمۡضُواْ حَيۡثُ تُؤۡمَرُونَ • وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَقۡطُوعٌ۬ مُّصۡبِحِينَ ﴾

(65. "Then travel for a portion of the night with your family, and you go behind them in the rear, and let no one amongst you look back, but go on to where you are ordered.'') (66. And We made this decree known to him that those (sinners) would be rooted out in the early morning.)

66

وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَقۡطُوعٌ۬ مُّصۡبِحِينَ

And We conveyed to him [the decree] of that matter: that those [sinners] would be eliminated by early morning.

وَقَضَيۡنَآAnd We conveyed

إِلَيۡهِto him

ذَٲلِكَ[that]

ٱلۡأَمۡرَthe matter

أَنَّthat

دَابِرَ(the) root

هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ(of) these

مَقۡطُوعٌ۬would be cut off

مُّصۡبِحِينَ(by) early morning.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Angels coming to Lut

Allah tells us about when the angels came to Lut in the form of young men with handsome faces. When they entered his home, he said:

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّكُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مُّنڪَرُونَ • قَالُواْ بَلۡ جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَمۡتَرُونَ ﴾

("Verily, you are people unknown to me.'' They said: "Nay, we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting.'') meaning that they were bringing the punishment and destruction that the people doubted they would ever suffer from.

﴿ وَأَتَيۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ ﴾

(And we have brought you the truth) is like the Ayah,

﴿ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ ﴾

(We do not send the angels down except with the truth) (15:8) and

﴿ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ ﴾

(and certainly, we tell the truth.) They said this in affirmation of the news that they brought him, that he would be saved and his people would be destroyed.

﴿ فَأَسۡرِ بِأَهۡلِكَ بِقِطۡعٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱتَّبِعۡ أَدۡبَـٰرَهُمۡ وَلَا يَلۡتَفِتۡ مِنكُمۡ أَحَدٌ۬ وَٱمۡضُواْ حَيۡثُ تُؤۡمَرُونَ • وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَقۡطُوعٌ۬ مُّصۡبِحِينَ ﴾

(65. "Then travel for a portion of the night with your family, and you go behind them in the rear, and let no one amongst you look back, but go on to where you are ordered.'') (66. And We made this decree known to him that those (sinners) would be rooted out in the early morning.)

67

وَجَآءَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ

And the people of the city came rejoicing.

وَجَآءَAnd came

أَهۡلُ(the) people

ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ(of) the city,

يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَrejoicing.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Lut is ordered to leave with His Family during the Night

Allah tells us that His angels ordered Lut to set out after part of the night had passed. They told him to walk behind them, to protect them. Similarly, the Messenger of Allah would walk in the rear of the army on military campaigns, in order to help the weak and carry those who had no means of transport.

﴿ وَلَا يَلۡتَفِتۡ مِنكُمۡ أَحَدٌ۬ ﴾

(and let no one amongst you look back,) meaning - when you hear the people screaming from their torment, do not turn around to look at them; leave them to face whatever punishment and vengeance is coming to them.

﴿ وَٱمۡضُواْ حَيۡثُ تُؤۡمَرُونَ ﴾

(but go on to where you are ordered.) - it is as if they had a guide with them to show them the way.

﴿ وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ ﴾

(And We made this decree known to him) meaning - We already told him about that.

﴿ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَقۡطُوعٌ۬ مُّصۡبِحِينَ ﴾

(that those (sinners) would be rooted out in the early morning.) meaning in the morning, as in another Ayah:

﴿ إِنَّ مَوۡعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبۡحُ‌ۚ أَلَيۡسَ ٱلصُّبۡحُ بِقَرِيبٍ۬ ﴾

(Indeed, morning is their appointed time. Is not the morning near) (11:81)

﴿ وَجَآءَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ • قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ • قَالُوٓاْ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِىٓ إِن كُنتُمۡ فَـٰعِلِينَ • لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(67. And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing.) (68. Lut ﴾said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me.'') (69. "And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') (70. They said: "Did we not forbid you from entertaining any of the `Alamin'') (71. Lut ﴾said: "These are my daughters, if you must act (so)'') (72. Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.)

68

قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ

[Lot] said, "Indeed, these are my guests, so do not shame me.

قَالَHe said,

إِنَّ"Indeed,

هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِthese

ضَيۡفِى(are) my guests,

فَلَاso (do) not

تَفۡضَحُونِshame me.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Lut is ordered to leave with His Family during the Night

Allah tells us that His angels ordered Lut to set out after part of the night had passed. They told him to walk behind them, to protect them. Similarly, the Messenger of Allah would walk in the rear of the army on military campaigns, in order to help the weak and carry those who had no means of transport.

﴿ وَلَا يَلۡتَفِتۡ مِنكُمۡ أَحَدٌ۬ ﴾

(and let no one amongst you look back,) meaning - when you hear the people screaming from their torment, do not turn around to look at them; leave them to face whatever punishment and vengeance is coming to them.

﴿ وَٱمۡضُواْ حَيۡثُ تُؤۡمَرُونَ ﴾

(but go on to where you are ordered.) - it is as if they had a guide with them to show them the way.

﴿ وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ ﴾

(And We made this decree known to him) meaning - We already told him about that.

﴿ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَقۡطُوعٌ۬ مُّصۡبِحِينَ ﴾

(that those (sinners) would be rooted out in the early morning.) meaning in the morning, as in another Ayah:

﴿ إِنَّ مَوۡعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبۡحُ‌ۚ أَلَيۡسَ ٱلصُّبۡحُ بِقَرِيبٍ۬ ﴾

(Indeed, morning is their appointed time. Is not the morning near) (11:81)

﴿ وَجَآءَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ • قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ • قَالُوٓاْ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِىٓ إِن كُنتُمۡ فَـٰعِلِينَ • لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(67. And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing.) (68. Lut ﴾said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me.'') (69. "And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') (70. They said: "Did we not forbid you from entertaining any of the `Alamin'') (71. Lut ﴾said: "These are my daughters, if you must act (so)'') (72. Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.)

69

وَٱتَّقُواْٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ

And fear Allah and do not disgrace me."

وَٱتَّقُواْAnd fear

ٱللَّهَAllah,

وَلَاand (do) not

تُخۡزُونِdisgrace me."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Lut is ordered to leave with His Family during the Night

Allah tells us that His angels ordered Lut to set out after part of the night had passed. They told him to walk behind them, to protect them. Similarly, the Messenger of Allah would walk in the rear of the army on military campaigns, in order to help the weak and carry those who had no means of transport.

﴿ وَلَا يَلۡتَفِتۡ مِنكُمۡ أَحَدٌ۬ ﴾

(and let no one amongst you look back,) meaning - when you hear the people screaming from their torment, do not turn around to look at them; leave them to face whatever punishment and vengeance is coming to them.

﴿ وَٱمۡضُواْ حَيۡثُ تُؤۡمَرُونَ ﴾

(but go on to where you are ordered.) - it is as if they had a guide with them to show them the way.

﴿ وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ ﴾

(And We made this decree known to him) meaning - We already told him about that.

﴿ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَقۡطُوعٌ۬ مُّصۡبِحِينَ ﴾

(that those (sinners) would be rooted out in the early morning.) meaning in the morning, as in another Ayah:

﴿ إِنَّ مَوۡعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبۡحُ‌ۚ أَلَيۡسَ ٱلصُّبۡحُ بِقَرِيبٍ۬ ﴾

(Indeed, morning is their appointed time. Is not the morning near) (11:81)

﴿ وَجَآءَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ • قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ • قَالُوٓاْ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِىٓ إِن كُنتُمۡ فَـٰعِلِينَ • لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(67. And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing.) (68. Lut ﴾said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me.'') (69. "And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') (70. They said: "Did we not forbid you from entertaining any of the `Alamin'') (71. Lut ﴾said: "These are my daughters, if you must act (so)'') (72. Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.)

70

قَالُوٓاْ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

They said, "Have we not forbidden you from [protecting] people?"

قَالُوٓاْThey said,

أَوَلَمۡ"Did not

نَنۡهَكَwe forbid you

عَنِfrom

ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَthe world?"

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Lut is ordered to leave with His Family during the Night

Allah tells us that His angels ordered Lut to set out after part of the night had passed. They told him to walk behind them, to protect them. Similarly, the Messenger of Allah would walk in the rear of the army on military campaigns, in order to help the weak and carry those who had no means of transport.

﴿ وَلَا يَلۡتَفِتۡ مِنكُمۡ أَحَدٌ۬ ﴾

(and let no one amongst you look back,) meaning - when you hear the people screaming from their torment, do not turn around to look at them; leave them to face whatever punishment and vengeance is coming to them.

﴿ وَٱمۡضُواْ حَيۡثُ تُؤۡمَرُونَ ﴾

(but go on to where you are ordered.) - it is as if they had a guide with them to show them the way.

﴿ وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ ﴾

(And We made this decree known to him) meaning - We already told him about that.

﴿ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَقۡطُوعٌ۬ مُّصۡبِحِينَ ﴾

(that those (sinners) would be rooted out in the early morning.) meaning in the morning, as in another Ayah:

﴿ إِنَّ مَوۡعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبۡحُ‌ۚ أَلَيۡسَ ٱلصُّبۡحُ بِقَرِيبٍ۬ ﴾

(Indeed, morning is their appointed time. Is not the morning near) (11:81)

﴿ وَجَآءَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ • قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ • قَالُوٓاْ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِىٓ إِن كُنتُمۡ فَـٰعِلِينَ • لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(67. And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing.) (68. Lut ﴾said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me.'') (69. "And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') (70. They said: "Did we not forbid you from entertaining any of the `Alamin'') (71. Lut ﴾said: "These are my daughters, if you must act (so)'') (72. Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.)

71

قَالَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِىٓ إِن كُنتُمۡ فَـٰعِلِينَ

[Lot] said, "These are my daughters – if you would be doers [of lawful marriage]."

قَالَHe said,

هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ"These

بَنَاتِىٓ(are) my daughters

إِنif

كُنتُمۡyou would be

فَـٰعِلِينَdoers."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Lut is ordered to leave with His Family during the Night

Allah tells us that His angels ordered Lut to set out after part of the night had passed. They told him to walk behind them, to protect them. Similarly, the Messenger of Allah would walk in the rear of the army on military campaigns, in order to help the weak and carry those who had no means of transport.

﴿ وَلَا يَلۡتَفِتۡ مِنكُمۡ أَحَدٌ۬ ﴾

(and let no one amongst you look back,) meaning - when you hear the people screaming from their torment, do not turn around to look at them; leave them to face whatever punishment and vengeance is coming to them.

﴿ وَٱمۡضُواْ حَيۡثُ تُؤۡمَرُونَ ﴾

(but go on to where you are ordered.) - it is as if they had a guide with them to show them the way.

﴿ وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ ﴾

(And We made this decree known to him) meaning - We already told him about that.

﴿ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَقۡطُوعٌ۬ مُّصۡبِحِينَ ﴾

(that those (sinners) would be rooted out in the early morning.) meaning in the morning, as in another Ayah:

﴿ إِنَّ مَوۡعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبۡحُ‌ۚ أَلَيۡسَ ٱلصُّبۡحُ بِقَرِيبٍ۬ ﴾

(Indeed, morning is their appointed time. Is not the morning near) (11:81)

﴿ وَجَآءَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ • قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ • قَالُوٓاْ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِىٓ إِن كُنتُمۡ فَـٰعِلِينَ • لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(67. And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing.) (68. Lut ﴾said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me.'') (69. "And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') (70. They said: "Did we not forbid you from entertaining any of the `Alamin'') (71. Lut ﴾said: "These are my daughters, if you must act (so)'') (72. Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.)

72

لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ

By your life, [O Muhammad], indeed they were, in their intoxication, wandering blindly.

لَعَمۡرُكَBy your life

إِنَّہُمۡindeed, they

لَفِىwere in

سَكۡرَتِہِمۡtheir intoxication,

يَعۡمَهُونَwandering blindly.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Lut is ordered to leave with His Family during the Night

Allah tells us that His angels ordered Lut to set out after part of the night had passed. They told him to walk behind them, to protect them. Similarly, the Messenger of Allah would walk in the rear of the army on military campaigns, in order to help the weak and carry those who had no means of transport.

﴿ وَلَا يَلۡتَفِتۡ مِنكُمۡ أَحَدٌ۬ ﴾

(and let no one amongst you look back,) meaning - when you hear the people screaming from their torment, do not turn around to look at them; leave them to face whatever punishment and vengeance is coming to them.

﴿ وَٱمۡضُواْ حَيۡثُ تُؤۡمَرُونَ ﴾

(but go on to where you are ordered.) - it is as if they had a guide with them to show them the way.

﴿ وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ ﴾

(And We made this decree known to him) meaning - We already told him about that.

﴿ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَقۡطُوعٌ۬ مُّصۡبِحِينَ ﴾

(that those (sinners) would be rooted out in the early morning.) meaning in the morning, as in another Ayah:

﴿ إِنَّ مَوۡعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبۡحُ‌ۚ أَلَيۡسَ ٱلصُّبۡحُ بِقَرِيبٍ۬ ﴾

(Indeed, morning is their appointed time. Is not the morning near) (11:81)

﴿ وَجَآءَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ • قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ • قَالُوٓاْ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ • قَالَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِىٓ إِن كُنتُمۡ فَـٰعِلِينَ • لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(67. And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing.) (68. Lut ﴾said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me.'') (69. "And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') (70. They said: "Did we not forbid you from entertaining any of the `Alamin'') (71. Lut ﴾said: "These are my daughters, if you must act (so)'') (72. Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.)

73

فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُشۡرِقِينَ

So the shriek seized them at sunrise.

فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُSo, seized them

ٱلصَّيۡحَةُthe awful cry

مُشۡرِقِينَat sunrise.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The People of the City arrive upon the Angels, thinking that they are Men

Allah tells us about how Lut's people came to him when they found out about his handsome guests, and they came happily rejoicing about them.

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ ﴾

((Lut) said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me. And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') This is what Lut said to them before he knew that his guests were messengers from Allah, as mentioned in Surat Hud, but here (in this Surah), we have already been told that they are messengers from Allah, and this is followed by an account of Lut's people coming and his exchange with them. However, here the conjunction (wa, meaning "and'') does not imply the sequence of events, especially since there is something to indicate that this is not the case. They said answering him,

﴿ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ ﴾

(Did we not forbid you from entertaining (or protecting) any of the `Alamin) meaning, `did we not tell you that you should not have anyone as a guest' He reminded them about their womenfolk and what their Lord had created for them in the women of permissible sexual relationships. This issue has already been explained and is no need to repeat the discussion here. All of this happened while they were still unaware of the inevitable calamity and punishment that was about to befall them the following morning. Hence Allah, may He be exalted, said to Muhammad,

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) Allah swore by the life of His Prophet, which is an immense honor reflecting his high rank and noble status. `Amr bin Malik An-Nakari reported from Abu Al-Jawza' that Ibn `Abbas said: "Allah has never created or made or formed any soul that is dearer to him than Muhammad. I never heard that Allah swore by the life of anyone else. Allah says,

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) meaning, by your life and the length of your stay in this world,

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) This was reported by Ibn Jarir. Qatadah said:

﴿ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication) "It means - in their misguided state;

﴿ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(they were wandering blindly) means - they were playing. '' `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said:

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life) means by your life, and

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) means that they were confused.''

﴿ فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُشۡرِقِينَ • فَجَعَلۡنَا عَـٰلِيَہَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ حِجَارَةً۬ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ • إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَ • وَإِنَّہَا لَبِسَبِيلٍ۬ مُّقِيمٍ • إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(73. So the Sayhah overtook them at the time of sunrise.) (74. And We turned them upside down and rained stones of baked clay upon them.) (75. Surely, in this are signs for those who see.) (76. And verily, they were right on the highroad.) (77. Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers.)

74

فَجَعَلۡنَا عَـٰلِيَہَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ حِجَارَةً۬ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ

And We made the highest part [of the city] its lowest and rained upon them stones of hard clay.

فَجَعَلۡنَاAnd We made

عَـٰلِيَہَاits highest (part)

سَافِلَهَاits lowest,

وَأَمۡطَرۡنَاand We rained

عَلَيۡہِمۡupon them

حِجَارَةً۬stones

مِّنof

سِجِّيلٍbaked clay.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The People of the City arrive upon the Angels, thinking that they are Men

Allah tells us about how Lut's people came to him when they found out about his handsome guests, and they came happily rejoicing about them.

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ ﴾

((Lut) said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me. And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') This is what Lut said to them before he knew that his guests were messengers from Allah, as mentioned in Surat Hud, but here (in this Surah), we have already been told that they are messengers from Allah, and this is followed by an account of Lut's people coming and his exchange with them. However, here the conjunction (wa, meaning "and'') does not imply the sequence of events, especially since there is something to indicate that this is not the case. They said answering him,

﴿ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ ﴾

(Did we not forbid you from entertaining (or protecting) any of the `Alamin) meaning, `did we not tell you that you should not have anyone as a guest' He reminded them about their womenfolk and what their Lord had created for them in the women of permissible sexual relationships. This issue has already been explained and is no need to repeat the discussion here. All of this happened while they were still unaware of the inevitable calamity and punishment that was about to befall them the following morning. Hence Allah, may He be exalted, said to Muhammad,

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) Allah swore by the life of His Prophet, which is an immense honor reflecting his high rank and noble status. `Amr bin Malik An-Nakari reported from Abu Al-Jawza' that Ibn `Abbas said: "Allah has never created or made or formed any soul that is dearer to him than Muhammad. I never heard that Allah swore by the life of anyone else. Allah says,

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) meaning, by your life and the length of your stay in this world,

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) This was reported by Ibn Jarir. Qatadah said:

﴿ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication) "It means - in their misguided state;

﴿ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(they were wandering blindly) means - they were playing. '' `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said:

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life) means by your life, and

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) means that they were confused.''

﴿ فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُشۡرِقِينَ • فَجَعَلۡنَا عَـٰلِيَہَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ حِجَارَةً۬ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ • إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَ • وَإِنَّہَا لَبِسَبِيلٍ۬ مُّقِيمٍ • إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(73. So the Sayhah overtook them at the time of sunrise.) (74. And We turned them upside down and rained stones of baked clay upon them.) (75. Surely, in this are signs for those who see.) (76. And verily, they were right on the highroad.) (77. Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers.)

75

إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَ

Indeed in that are signs for those who discern.

إِنَّIndeed,

فِىin

ذَٲلِكَthat

لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬(are) the Signs

لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَfor those who discern.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The People of the City arrive upon the Angels, thinking that they are Men

Allah tells us about how Lut's people came to him when they found out about his handsome guests, and they came happily rejoicing about them.

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ ﴾

((Lut) said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me. And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') This is what Lut said to them before he knew that his guests were messengers from Allah, as mentioned in Surat Hud, but here (in this Surah), we have already been told that they are messengers from Allah, and this is followed by an account of Lut's people coming and his exchange with them. However, here the conjunction (wa, meaning "and'') does not imply the sequence of events, especially since there is something to indicate that this is not the case. They said answering him,

﴿ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ ﴾

(Did we not forbid you from entertaining (or protecting) any of the `Alamin) meaning, `did we not tell you that you should not have anyone as a guest' He reminded them about their womenfolk and what their Lord had created for them in the women of permissible sexual relationships. This issue has already been explained and is no need to repeat the discussion here. All of this happened while they were still unaware of the inevitable calamity and punishment that was about to befall them the following morning. Hence Allah, may He be exalted, said to Muhammad,

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) Allah swore by the life of His Prophet, which is an immense honor reflecting his high rank and noble status. `Amr bin Malik An-Nakari reported from Abu Al-Jawza' that Ibn `Abbas said: "Allah has never created or made or formed any soul that is dearer to him than Muhammad. I never heard that Allah swore by the life of anyone else. Allah says,

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) meaning, by your life and the length of your stay in this world,

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) This was reported by Ibn Jarir. Qatadah said:

﴿ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication) "It means - in their misguided state;

﴿ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(they were wandering blindly) means - they were playing. '' `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said:

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life) means by your life, and

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) means that they were confused.''

﴿ فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُشۡرِقِينَ • فَجَعَلۡنَا عَـٰلِيَہَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ حِجَارَةً۬ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ • إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَ • وَإِنَّہَا لَبِسَبِيلٍ۬ مُّقِيمٍ • إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(73. So the Sayhah overtook them at the time of sunrise.) (74. And We turned them upside down and rained stones of baked clay upon them.) (75. Surely, in this are signs for those who see.) (76. And verily, they were right on the highroad.) (77. Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers.)

76

وَإِنَّہَا لَبِسَبِيلٍ۬ مُّقِيمٍ

And indeed, those cities are [situated] on an established road.

وَإِنَّہَاAnd indeed, it

لَبِسَبِيلٍ۬(is) on a road

مُّقِيمٍestablished.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The People of the City arrive upon the Angels, thinking that they are Men

Allah tells us about how Lut's people came to him when they found out about his handsome guests, and they came happily rejoicing about them.

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ ﴾

((Lut) said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me. And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') This is what Lut said to them before he knew that his guests were messengers from Allah, as mentioned in Surat Hud, but here (in this Surah), we have already been told that they are messengers from Allah, and this is followed by an account of Lut's people coming and his exchange with them. However, here the conjunction (wa, meaning "and'') does not imply the sequence of events, especially since there is something to indicate that this is not the case. They said answering him,

﴿ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ ﴾

(Did we not forbid you from entertaining (or protecting) any of the `Alamin) meaning, `did we not tell you that you should not have anyone as a guest' He reminded them about their womenfolk and what their Lord had created for them in the women of permissible sexual relationships. This issue has already been explained and is no need to repeat the discussion here. All of this happened while they were still unaware of the inevitable calamity and punishment that was about to befall them the following morning. Hence Allah, may He be exalted, said to Muhammad,

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) Allah swore by the life of His Prophet, which is an immense honor reflecting his high rank and noble status. `Amr bin Malik An-Nakari reported from Abu Al-Jawza' that Ibn `Abbas said: "Allah has never created or made or formed any soul that is dearer to him than Muhammad. I never heard that Allah swore by the life of anyone else. Allah says,

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) meaning, by your life and the length of your stay in this world,

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) This was reported by Ibn Jarir. Qatadah said:

﴿ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication) "It means - in their misguided state;

﴿ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(they were wandering blindly) means - they were playing. '' `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said:

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life) means by your life, and

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) means that they were confused.''

﴿ فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُشۡرِقِينَ • فَجَعَلۡنَا عَـٰلِيَہَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ حِجَارَةً۬ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ • إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَ • وَإِنَّہَا لَبِسَبِيلٍ۬ مُّقِيمٍ • إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(73. So the Sayhah overtook them at the time of sunrise.) (74. And We turned them upside down and rained stones of baked clay upon them.) (75. Surely, in this are signs for those who see.) (76. And verily, they were right on the highroad.) (77. Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers.)

77

إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

Indeed in that is a sign for the believers.

إِنَّIndeed,

فِىin

ذَٲلِكَthat

لَأَيَةً۬surely (is) a Sign

لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَfor the believers.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The People of the City arrive upon the Angels, thinking that they are Men

Allah tells us about how Lut's people came to him when they found out about his handsome guests, and they came happily rejoicing about them.

﴿ قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيۡفِى فَلَا تَفۡضَحُونِ • وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ ﴾

((Lut) said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me. And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') This is what Lut said to them before he knew that his guests were messengers from Allah, as mentioned in Surat Hud, but here (in this Surah), we have already been told that they are messengers from Allah, and this is followed by an account of Lut's people coming and his exchange with them. However, here the conjunction (wa, meaning "and'') does not imply the sequence of events, especially since there is something to indicate that this is not the case. They said answering him,

﴿ أَوَلَمۡ نَنۡهَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ ﴾

(Did we not forbid you from entertaining (or protecting) any of the `Alamin) meaning, `did we not tell you that you should not have anyone as a guest' He reminded them about their womenfolk and what their Lord had created for them in the women of permissible sexual relationships. This issue has already been explained and is no need to repeat the discussion here. All of this happened while they were still unaware of the inevitable calamity and punishment that was about to befall them the following morning. Hence Allah, may He be exalted, said to Muhammad,

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) Allah swore by the life of His Prophet, which is an immense honor reflecting his high rank and noble status. `Amr bin Malik An-Nakari reported from Abu Al-Jawza' that Ibn `Abbas said: "Allah has never created or made or formed any soul that is dearer to him than Muhammad. I never heard that Allah swore by the life of anyone else. Allah says,

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) meaning, by your life and the length of your stay in this world,

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) This was reported by Ibn Jarir. Qatadah said:

﴿ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication) "It means - in their misguided state;

﴿ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(they were wandering blindly) means - they were playing. '' `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said:

﴿ لَعَمۡرُكَ ﴾

(Verily, by your life) means by your life, and

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ لَفِى سَكۡرَتِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ ﴾

(in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) means that they were confused.''

﴿ فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُشۡرِقِينَ • فَجَعَلۡنَا عَـٰلِيَہَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ حِجَارَةً۬ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ • إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّلۡمُتَوَسِّمِينَ • وَإِنَّہَا لَبِسَبِيلٍ۬ مُّقِيمٍ • إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(73. So the Sayhah overtook them at the time of sunrise.) (74. And We turned them upside down and rained stones of baked clay upon them.) (75. Surely, in this are signs for those who see.) (76. And verily, they were right on the highroad.) (77. Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers.)

78

وَإِن كَانَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡأَيۡكَةِ لَظَـٰلِمِينَ

And the companions of the thicket were [also] wrongdoers.

وَإِن كَانَAnd were

أَصۡحَـٰبُ(the) companions

ٱلۡأَيۡكَةِ(of) the wood

لَظَـٰلِمِينَsurely wrongdoers.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The City of Sodom on the Highroad

﴿ وَإِنَّہَا لَبِسَبِيلٍ۬ مُّقِيمٍ ﴾

(And verily, they were right on the highroad.) meaning that the city of Sodom, which was physically and spiritually turned upside down, and pelted with stones until it became a foul smelling lake (the Dead Sea), is on a route that is easily accessible until the present day. This is like the Ayah,

﴿ وَإِنَّكُمۡ لَتَمُرُّونَ عَلَيۡہِم مُّصۡبِحِينَ • وَبِٱلَّيۡلِ‌ۗ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ﴾

(Verily, you pass by them in the morning, and at night. Will you not then reflect) (37:137-138).

﴿ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers.) meaning, `All that We did to the people of Lut, from the destruction and the vengeance, to how We saved Lut and his family, these are clear signs to those who believe in Allah and His Messengers.'

﴿ وَإِن كَانَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡأَيۡكَةِ لَظَـٰلِمِينَ • فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ وَإِنَّہُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ ﴾

(78. And the Dwellers of Al-Aykah, were also wrongdoers.) (79. So, We took vengeance on them. They are both on an open route, plain to see.)
table

79

فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ وَإِنَّہُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

So We took retribution from them, and indeed, both [cities] are on a clear highway.

فَٱنتَقَمۡنَاSo We took retribution

مِنۡہُمۡfrom them,

وَإِنَّہُمَاand indeed, they both

لَبِإِمَامٍ۬(were) on a highway

مُّبِينٍ۬clear.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The City of Sodom on the Highroad

﴿ وَإِنَّہَا لَبِسَبِيلٍ۬ مُّقِيمٍ ﴾

(And verily, they were right on the highroad.) meaning that the city of Sodom, which was physically and spiritually turned upside down, and pelted with stones until it became a foul smelling lake (the Dead Sea), is on a route that is easily accessible until the present day. This is like the Ayah,

﴿ وَإِنَّكُمۡ لَتَمُرُّونَ عَلَيۡہِم مُّصۡبِحِينَ • وَبِٱلَّيۡلِ‌ۗ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ﴾

(Verily, you pass by them in the morning, and at night. Will you not then reflect) (37:137-138).

﴿ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers.) meaning, `All that We did to the people of Lut, from the destruction and the vengeance, to how We saved Lut and his family, these are clear signs to those who believe in Allah and His Messengers.'

﴿ وَإِن كَانَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡأَيۡكَةِ لَظَـٰلِمِينَ • فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ وَإِنَّہُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ ﴾

(78. And the Dwellers of Al-Aykah, were also wrongdoers.) (79. So, We took vengeance on them. They are both on an open route, plain to see.)
table

80

وَلَقَدۡ كَذَّبَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡحِجۡرِ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ

And certainly did the companions of Thamūd deny the messengers.

وَلَقَدۡAnd certainly

كَذَّبَdenied

أَصۡحَـٰبُ(the) companions

ٱلۡحِجۡرِ(of) the Rocky Tract,

ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَthe Messengers.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Destruction of the Dwellers of Al-Aykah, the People of Shu`ayb

The Dwellers of Al-Aykah, were the people of Shu`ayb. Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah and others said that Al-Aykah refers to intertwined trees. Their evildoing included associating partners with Allah (Shirk), banditry and cheating in weights and measures. Allah punished them with the Sayhah (the awful cry or torment), the earthquake, and the torment of the Day of Shadow. They lived near the people of Lut, but at a later time, and the people of Lut were known to them, which is why Allah says,

﴿ وَإِنَّہُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ ﴾

(They are both on an open route, plain to see.) Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak and others said, "a visible route.'' This is why, when Shu`ayb warned his people, he said to them,

﴿ وَمَا قَوۡمُ لُوطٍ۬ مِّنڪُم بِبَعِيدٍ۬ ﴾

(And the people of Lut are not far off from you!) (11:89)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ كَذَّبَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡحِجۡرِ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ • وَءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَكَانُواْ عَنۡہَا مُعۡرِضِينَ • وَكَانُواْ يَنۡحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا ءَامِنِينَ • فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُصۡبِحِينَ • فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡہُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ ﴾

(80. And verily, the Dwellers of Al-Hijr denied the Messengers.) (81. And We gave them Our signs, but they were averse to them.) (82. And they used to hew out dwellings from the mountains, (feeling) secure.) (83. But the Sayhah (torment - awful cry) overtook them in the early morning.) (84. And all that they used to earn availed them not.)

81

وَءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَكَانُواْ عَنۡہَا مُعۡرِضِينَ

And We gave them Our signs, but from them they were turning away.

وَءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡAnd We gave them

ءَايَـٰتِنَاOur Signs,

فَكَانُواْbut they were

عَنۡہَاfrom them

مُعۡرِضِينَturning away.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Destruction of the Dwellers of Al-Aykah, the People of Shu`ayb

The Dwellers of Al-Aykah, were the people of Shu`ayb. Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah and others said that Al-Aykah refers to intertwined trees. Their evildoing included associating partners with Allah (Shirk), banditry and cheating in weights and measures. Allah punished them with the Sayhah (the awful cry or torment), the earthquake, and the torment of the Day of Shadow. They lived near the people of Lut, but at a later time, and the people of Lut were known to them, which is why Allah says,

﴿ وَإِنَّہُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ ﴾

(They are both on an open route, plain to see.) Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak and others said, "a visible route.'' This is why, when Shu`ayb warned his people, he said to them,

﴿ وَمَا قَوۡمُ لُوطٍ۬ مِّنڪُم بِبَعِيدٍ۬ ﴾

(And the people of Lut are not far off from you!) (11:89)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ كَذَّبَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡحِجۡرِ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ • وَءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَكَانُواْ عَنۡہَا مُعۡرِضِينَ • وَكَانُواْ يَنۡحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا ءَامِنِينَ • فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُصۡبِحِينَ • فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡہُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ ﴾

(80. And verily, the Dwellers of Al-Hijr denied the Messengers.) (81. And We gave them Our signs, but they were averse to them.) (82. And they used to hew out dwellings from the mountains, (feeling) secure.) (83. But the Sayhah (torment - awful cry) overtook them in the early morning.) (84. And all that they used to earn availed them not.)

82

وَكَانُواْ يَنۡحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا ءَامِنِينَ

And they used to carve from the mountains, houses, feeling secure.

وَكَانُواْAnd they used (to)

يَنۡحِتُونَcarve

مِنَfrom

ٱلۡجِبَالِthe mountains,

بُيُوتًاhouses,

ءَامِنِينَsecure.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Destruction of the Dwellers of Al-Aykah, the People of Shu`ayb

The Dwellers of Al-Aykah, were the people of Shu`ayb. Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah and others said that Al-Aykah refers to intertwined trees. Their evildoing included associating partners with Allah (Shirk), banditry and cheating in weights and measures. Allah punished them with the Sayhah (the awful cry or torment), the earthquake, and the torment of the Day of Shadow. They lived near the people of Lut, but at a later time, and the people of Lut were known to them, which is why Allah says,

﴿ وَإِنَّہُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ ﴾

(They are both on an open route, plain to see.) Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak and others said, "a visible route.'' This is why, when Shu`ayb warned his people, he said to them,

﴿ وَمَا قَوۡمُ لُوطٍ۬ مِّنڪُم بِبَعِيدٍ۬ ﴾

(And the people of Lut are not far off from you!) (11:89)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ كَذَّبَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡحِجۡرِ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ • وَءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَكَانُواْ عَنۡہَا مُعۡرِضِينَ • وَكَانُواْ يَنۡحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا ءَامِنِينَ • فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُصۡبِحِينَ • فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡہُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ ﴾

(80. And verily, the Dwellers of Al-Hijr denied the Messengers.) (81. And We gave them Our signs, but they were averse to them.) (82. And they used to hew out dwellings from the mountains, (feeling) secure.) (83. But the Sayhah (torment - awful cry) overtook them in the early morning.) (84. And all that they used to earn availed them not.)

83

فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُصۡبِحِينَ

But the shriek seized them at early morning.

فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُBut seized them

ٱلصَّيۡحَةُthe awful cry

مُصۡبِحِينَ(at) early morning,

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Destruction of the Dwellers of Al-Aykah, the People of Shu`ayb

The Dwellers of Al-Aykah, were the people of Shu`ayb. Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah and others said that Al-Aykah refers to intertwined trees. Their evildoing included associating partners with Allah (Shirk), banditry and cheating in weights and measures. Allah punished them with the Sayhah (the awful cry or torment), the earthquake, and the torment of the Day of Shadow. They lived near the people of Lut, but at a later time, and the people of Lut were known to them, which is why Allah says,

﴿ وَإِنَّہُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ ﴾

(They are both on an open route, plain to see.) Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak and others said, "a visible route.'' This is why, when Shu`ayb warned his people, he said to them,

﴿ وَمَا قَوۡمُ لُوطٍ۬ مِّنڪُم بِبَعِيدٍ۬ ﴾

(And the people of Lut are not far off from you!) (11:89)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ كَذَّبَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡحِجۡرِ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ • وَءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَكَانُواْ عَنۡہَا مُعۡرِضِينَ • وَكَانُواْ يَنۡحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا ءَامِنِينَ • فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُصۡبِحِينَ • فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡہُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ ﴾

(80. And verily, the Dwellers of Al-Hijr denied the Messengers.) (81. And We gave them Our signs, but they were averse to them.) (82. And they used to hew out dwellings from the mountains, (feeling) secure.) (83. But the Sayhah (torment - awful cry) overtook them in the early morning.) (84. And all that they used to earn availed them not.)

84

فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡہُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ

So nothing availed them [from] what they used to earn.

فَمَآAnd not

أَغۡنَىٰavailed

عَنۡہُمthem

مَّاwhat

كَانُواْthey used (to)

يَكۡسِبُونَearn.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Destruction of the Dwellers of Al-Aykah, the People of Shu`ayb

The Dwellers of Al-Aykah, were the people of Shu`ayb. Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah and others said that Al-Aykah refers to intertwined trees. Their evildoing included associating partners with Allah (Shirk), banditry and cheating in weights and measures. Allah punished them with the Sayhah (the awful cry or torment), the earthquake, and the torment of the Day of Shadow. They lived near the people of Lut, but at a later time, and the people of Lut were known to them, which is why Allah says,

﴿ وَإِنَّہُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ ﴾

(They are both on an open route, plain to see.) Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak and others said, "a visible route.'' This is why, when Shu`ayb warned his people, he said to them,

﴿ وَمَا قَوۡمُ لُوطٍ۬ مِّنڪُم بِبَعِيدٍ۬ ﴾

(And the people of Lut are not far off from you!) (11:89)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ كَذَّبَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡحِجۡرِ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ • وَءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَكَانُواْ عَنۡہَا مُعۡرِضِينَ • وَكَانُواْ يَنۡحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا ءَامِنِينَ • فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُصۡبِحِينَ • فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡہُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ ﴾

(80. And verily, the Dwellers of Al-Hijr denied the Messengers.) (81. And We gave them Our signs, but they were averse to them.) (82. And they used to hew out dwellings from the mountains, (feeling) secure.) (83. But the Sayhah (torment - awful cry) overtook them in the early morning.) (84. And all that they used to earn availed them not.)

85

وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَأَتِيَةٌ۬‌ۖ فَٱصۡفَحِ ٱلصَّفۡحَ ٱلۡجَمِيلَ

And We have not created the heavens and earth and that between them except in truth. And indeed, the Hour is coming; so forgive with gracious forgiveness.

وَمَاAnd not

خَلَقۡنَاWe created

ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِthe heavens

وَٱلۡأَرۡضَand the earth

وَمَاand whatever

بَيۡنَہُمَآ(is) between them

إِلَّاexcept

بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۗin truth.

وَإِنَّAnd indeed,

ٱلسَّاعَةَthe Hour

لَأَتِيَةٌ۬‌ۖ(is) surely coming.

فَٱصۡفَحِSo overlook

ٱلصَّفۡحَ(with) forgiveness

ٱلۡجَمِيلَgracious.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

The Destruction of the Dwellers of Al-Hijr, Who are the People called Thamud

The Dwellers of the Al Hijr were the people of Thamud who rejected their Prophet, Salih. Whoever denies even one Messenger, then he has disbelieved in all of the Messengers, thus they are described as rejecting "the Messengers''. Allah tells us that he (Salih) brought them signs to prove that what he was telling them was true, such as the she-camel which Allah created for them out of a solid rock in response to the supplication of Salih. This she-camel was grazing on their lands, and the people and the camel took water on alternate days that were well-known. When they rebelled and killed it, he said to them,

﴿ تَمَتَّعُواْ فِى دَارِڪُمۡ ثَلَـٰثَةَ أَيَّامٍ۬‌ۖ ذَٲلِكَ وَعۡدٌ غَيۡرُ مَكۡذُوبٍ۬ ﴾

("Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. This is a promise which will not be belied.'') (11:65) Allah said:

﴿ وَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَهَدَيۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَٱسۡتَحَبُّواْ ٱلۡعَمَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡهُدَىٰ ﴾

(And as for Thamud, We showed them and made the path of truth clear but they preferred blindness to guidance.) (41:17) Allah tells us that,

﴿ وَكَانُواْ يَنۡحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا ءَامِنِينَ ﴾

(And they used to hew out dwellings from the mountains, (feeling) secure.) meaning, they were without fear and they had no real need for those houses; it was merely a form of extravagance and work without a purpose. This could be seen from their work in the houses in the Al-Hijr through which the Messenger of Allah passed on his way to Tabuk. He covered his head and urged his camel to go faster, saying to his Companions:

« لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتَ الْقَوْمِ الْمُعَذَّبِينَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونُوا بَاكِينَ، فَإِنَّ لَمْ تَبْكُوا فَتَبَاكُوا خَشْيَةَ أَنْ يُصِيبَكُمْ مَا أَصَابَهُم »

(Do not enter the dwellings of those who were punished unless you are weeping, and if you do not weep then make yourself weep out of fear that perhaps what struck them may also strike you.)

﴿ فَأَخَذَتۡہُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ مُصۡبِحِينَ ﴾

(But the Sayhah (torment - awful cry) overtook them in the early morning.) meaning in the morning of the fourth day.

﴿ فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡہُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ ﴾

(And all that they used to earn availed them not.) meaning all of the benefits that they used to gain from their crops and fruits, and the water which they did not want to share with the she-camel that they killed so that it would not reduce their share of the water - all of that wealth would not protect them or help them when the command of their Lord came to pass.

﴿ وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَأَتِيَةٌ۬‌ۖ فَٱصۡفَحِ ٱلصَّفۡحَ ٱلۡجَمِيلَ ﴾

﴿ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلۡخَلَّـٰقُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ﴾

(85. And We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with the truth, and the Hour is surely coming, so overlook their faults with gracious forgiveness.) (86. Verily, your Lord is the Knowing Creator.)

86

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلۡخَلَّـٰقُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

Indeed, your Lord – He is the Knowing Creator.

إِنَّIndeed,

رَبَّكَyour Lord,

هُوَHe

ٱلۡخَلَّـٰقُ(is) the Creator

ٱلۡعَلِيمُthe All-Knower.