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B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i r R a h e e m
Teachings of the Qur`aan
Al-Mursalaat
Name and Background
Teachings and Commentary
Soorah 77:1-50
Ayub A. Hamid
Name and Background
The name of this Soorah is the first word of the Soorah.
It was revealed during the same period as Al-Qiyaamah and Ad-Dahr, and
like them, focuses on the Day of Judgment and the life Hereafter and invites
the Makkans to reflect on these matters rationally, instead of reacting
emotionally and blindly. However, it does so in a style that is different from
the previous two Soorahs in two ways: Firstly, the previous two Soorahs guided
towards the inevitability of the Day of Judgment by presenting arguments on the
basis of human psyche itself, while this Soorah presents additional arguments
from the environment surrounding human beings. Secondly, it continues to repeat
a warning statement after every few sentences of details about the Day of
Judgment, as if it is trying to break the wall that obstinate, insolent people
have erected around them to insulate themselves from the logical and rational
arguments presented by the Qur-aan. Thus, after making a point in a few
sentences, the warning statement is repeated. However, at every repetition, it
carries a different impact that is delivered by the context.
Teachings and Commentary
In the name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The Soorah starts with an oath of some things that are described through
their attributes without naming them explicitly. The attributes described in
feminine gender are: They are sent forth and let loose, they intensify in
their speed; they spread things far and wide; they differentiate, separate or
break apart; and that deliver a reminder. Thus there is a difference of opinion
among commentators as to what those things are. Many people think that they all
are attributes of winds, others think that they all are attributes of angels
and some other opine that some of the attributes belong to winds and others to
angels. However, a list of attributes that is continuous, contiguous and
without any kind of separator cannot partly belong to one thing and partly
apply to something totally different. Hence, the third opinion can be ruled out
as illogical and unacceptable. Now, as has been shown throughout this Tafseer,
things that are used for oaths in the Qur-aan yield evidence that helps people
understand the statement that follows the oaths. Thus, things used for oaths
are those that people can observe, study and understand. The “known or seen”
things are used for oaths to teach about and provide logical evidence for
“unknown or unseen”. Naturally, “unknown or unseen” cannot be useful to guide
towards some other “unknown or unseen”. The oaths in this Soorah are being used
to provide rational evidence for the statement “Most surely what you are
threatened with is inevitable” -- destruction of the world and the advent of
the Day of Judgment, which is an unknown/unseen matter. Now, we all know that
angels are invisible to human beings, and therefore, the attributes of angels
cannot provide any useful witness or evidence in support of any statement about
the Day of Judgment that the Makkans were being warned about. That is why a
majority of the scholars are of the opinion that all these attributes belong to
winds. That is also confirmed by Soorah Adz-Dzaariyaat where similar attributes
of the winds have been used to swear by them.
Thus, the Soorah starts with oaths of winds in support of the statement:
“Most surely what you are threatened with is inevitable.” In this way, Allaah
Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has presented winds as witness to the inevitability of
the destruction of this world and the advent of the Hereafter.
1 Witness are the winds that are sent forth and let loose, 2 which then
rage violently, 3 and the winds that scatter clouds far and wide, 4 then
differentiate distinctly, 5 then deliver a reminder 6 as a justification or a
warning. 7 Most surely what you are threatened with is inevitable.
Winds play a very important role in the lives of the people on earth.
Life on earth depends on the water cycle which is maintained to a great extent
by winds. At the same time, winds in the form of typhoons, cyclones, hurricanes
and blizzards can also cause a lot of devastation. The first two verses talk
about the devastating winds at high speed. The next two verses talk about the
normal winds that bring precipitation, differentiating between areas that
receive precipitation and the areas that do not. In either case, they remind
people about the mercy and power of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. If it is dry
and people need rain, they pray for it and when it rains, especially after a
dry spell, they thank Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. Thus the rain becomes an
opportunity, reason and justification for Allaah’s remembrance. If it is
stormy, people become scared and some may seek Allaah’s forgiveness and mercy.
In this way, it works as a warning. On the other hand, if people do not take
reminder from the winds and do not thank or seek forgiveness as appropriate, it
becomes more evidence against them and more justification for their punishment
on the Day of Judgment.
The reflection on winds should lead people to understand the two matters
that the Makkans were warned about but they were reluctant to believe in:
Firstly, they were warned that if they continue to oppose the Messenger of
Allaah, their stay on the earth will be shortened and they will be destroyed.
The description of the destructive powers of winds can be enough to remind them
that one violent storm can annihilate them as it had annihilated some nations
in the past. Secondly, they were warned that in addition to their stay on earth
being cut short, they will be severely punished in the Hereafter. If people
reflect on the consistent patterns of winds and the water cycle for billions of
years and their contribution to the sustainability of life, they will be able
to realize that it is a carefully designed and planned system. If the Creator
can design, plan and make it happen, He can break it apart as well. In
addition, just like the life-sustaining system of winds and rain has built
within its system the potential of disastrous storms, the normal operation of
the universe contains in itself mechanism(s) to cause its total destruction.
The next section describes the scene of the universal destruction when it
comes:
8 When the stars are wiped out, 9 when the heaven is rent asunder, 10
when the mountains are pulverized, 11 and when the messengers are allocated
time to witness – 12 for which day was this matter deferred? 13 For the Day of
Judgment! 14 And what will make you comprehend what the Day of Judgment is? 15
Severe trouble there will be that day for the deniers!
Once the destruction as described in the first three verses is complete,
and the new universe is formed, people will be raised and gathered for
accountability. Before Judgment is delivered, the messengers sent to various
people at various times will be called upon to give the witness that they
delivered the message entrusted to them to the people they were sent to. It is
this witness that they will give at the allocated time and it is this witness
that has been deferred to the Day of Judgment. The question about deferment of
messengers’ witness to the Day of Judgment and then the question about the
nature of the Day of Judgment are raised for the purpose of emphasis as well as
to underline the extraordinary significance of the those matters. After the
witness of the messengers, the disbelievers will not be able to plead ignorance
of the reality and the truth preached by messengers, and they will receive
extremely painful punishments. Then they will indeed be in deep, severe trouble.
But the deniers of the messengers do not only get punishment in the
Hereafter. As history shows, once a Messenger has employed all means and done
everything humanly possible to invite the deniers to Islam, those who continue
to disbelieve, have their stay in this world cut short and they are destroyed.
As mentioned earlier, the Makkans were warned about it. The next section
reminds them of the destruction of the nations of the past.
16 Did We not destroy the ancient nations, 17 then made the later folks
follow them? 18 That is what We do with the criminals. 19 Additionally, severe
trouble there will be that day for the deniers!
However, cutting their stay in this world short by destroying them is not
the end of the story. They still will be punished in the Hereafter for their
disbelief, thus they will still face extremely difficult circumstances therein.
After giving historical references, the deniers are encouraged to reflect
on their own birth process to understand how easy it will be for Allaah to
resurrect them.
20 Did We not create you from a mean fluid 21 and placed it in a secure
lodging 22 for a known period? 23 This (procreation) We arranged (as We have
arranged resurrection) – how excellent are We at arranging! 24 (But at
resurrection), severe trouble there will be that day for the deniers!
The “mean fluid” refers to the mixture of sperm and seminal fluid, a
description of the matter as people see it. The firm lodging refers to the
protective and pro-growth environment of the uterus. Although the human birth
process has been more precisely referred to at other places in the Qur-aan, we
must remember that the Qur-aan is a book of guidance which uses natural
phenomena to make people think and understand the lessons it imparts, not to
teach them biology or gynaecology. The point being made for the deniers of the
resurrection is that the Creator who has created such a sophisticated system
for human conception, development and birth has also made arrangements for
resurrection after death. Those who keep on denying Allaah’s power and ability
to do so will find themselves in a painful situation when it actually happens.
The next section invites human attention to focus on the purpose of the
earthly life.
25 Have We not made the earth sufficient to contain 26 the living and the
dead; 27 and firmly set therein lofty mountains and given you sweet water to
drink? (If they assume all this to be purposeless and in vain, then). 28 Severe
trouble there will be that day for the deniers!
The ecosystem on earth including the roles of the lifecycle of creatures,
mountains and water in the maintenance of the ecosystems indicates design and
planning of a Creator, Who would not have done it without a purpose. Thus
people need to understand that He bestowed human beings life and the amenities
to sustain their life to test them for a short period, and then to reward or
punish them in the Hereafter according to the results of this test. After their
stay on earth, they are deposited back into the earth from where they will be
raised again. Those who fail to understand this simple logic and insist on
assuming that everything happened accidentally will obviously face severe and
painful punishment in the Hereafter.
29 (That day, the deniers will be told), “Proceed to that which you used
to deny! 30 Proceed to a shadow branched into three columns, 31 that neither
provides cool shade nor is of any help against flames of fire, 32 which throws
sparks as huge as palaces, 33 that appear like orange camels.” 34 Then, severe
trouble there will be that day for the deniers!
“Which you used to deny” refers to the punishment of the Hereafter.
Shadow refers to some smoke type matter that will be encountered before the
fire of Hell as mentioned in Soorah Al-Waaqiah, “shade of dark smoke, neither
cool nor kind”. Remembering that we cannot really understand the precise nature
of the matters of the Hereafter, it can be thought to be something resembling
solar winds. The description of sparks is to give an idea to people about the
intensity and enormity of things related to the fire of Hell. The sparks can be
thought of in terms of solar flares[1].
After giving a glimpse of the terrifying nature of the Hellfire and its
environment, the next section describes the bewilderment and helplessness of
the deniers.
35 That will be the day when they will not speak, 36 nor will they be
permitted to offer excuses. 37 Severe trouble there will be that day for the
deniers!
Knowing that they were totally wrong in denying the Hereafter, they will
be dumbfounded when they see it. Even if they try to present excuses to explain
why they did not believe in it, they will not be allowed because no discussion
on these points will matter at that time. The time to discuss and arrive at the
right conclusions is NOW, in this life. Those that used to think that it would
be impossible to gather all generations of people spanning hundreds of
thousands of years for judgment will be addressed in the following manner.
38 (Deniers will be told), “This is the Day of Decision, We have
assembled you and those before you together. 39 So if you have a scheme, use it
against Me!” 40 (But they will be helpless and) severe trouble there will be
that day for the deniers!
In contrast to the deniers, those who believe in the Hereafter and thus
live by Taqwa -- making their decisions and setting their priorities of life in
such a way that will please Allaah SWT and that will avoid His displeasure --
they will be rewarded with amazing bounties.
41 Surely those who live by Taqwa[2] will be in shades amid springs 42
and fruits of their liking. 43 They will be told, “Eat and drink as you
please, in return for what you used to do. 44 That is how We reward those who
excel!” 45 (But) Severe trouble there will be that day for the deniers!
This will be their never-ending reward from Allaah because they excelled
in their temporary test. They lived their life in the temporary world by Taqwa
-- resisting temptations, controlling their lusts and desires, practising
fairness and forgiveness, minimizing the use of, and conserving the God-given
resources and making sacrifices for a principled, restrained lifestyle. This
attitude and lifestyle of restraint makes them the best people in their
conduct. Disbelievers in the Hereafter, on the other hand, opt for pursuing
instant gratification and maximization of worldly benefits and consumption of
resources. This leads them to become self-centred, adopting unfairness and
criminal behaviour to fulfil their desires and aspirations. However, everything
they attain is left behind. For the temporary gratification, they sacrifice
permanent rewards of the Hereafter. The next verse warns them directly.
46 (O Disbelievers!) Eat and enjoy yourselves for a little while; (soon
you will be punished because) you really are criminals. 47 (And remember)
severe trouble there will be that day for the deniers!
One of their crimes is that they do not submit to Allaah Subhaanahu wa
Ta`aala in obedience and as an explicit indication of their submission, they do
not worship Him by bowing in the form of Salaah.
48 And when it is said to them, “Bow down (to Allaah)”, they do not bow
down.49 (That is why) severe trouble there will be that day for the deniers!
To save them from the terrible end, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala sent His
Messenger, revealed this Book (Qur-aan) for their guidance, and through this
Book explained and exposed the truth in a rational, logical way, giving all
kinds of arguments that reasonable people can learn from and arrive at the
correct conclusion. The last verse wonders at their attitude.
50 (If they still do not heed), then what message, after it, will they
believe in?
Will they continue to wait until they see the reality with their own
eyes? Alas! That will be too late!
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[1] Resemblance of Hell to the sun is indicated by a Hadeeth wherein the
Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam told the companions that the heat of the
summer ensues from the fire of Hell.
[2] Taqwa is an attitude or a paradigm of life whereby a person adopts
those choices and decisions about the affairs of life that will be pleasing to
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala and rewarding in the life Hereafter, while
avoiding those choices and decisions that may displease Allaah Subhaanahu wa
Ta`aala or cause hardship in the Hereafter.
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Copyright © 2009 Ayub A. Hamid
All rights reserved
This document may be used, only with this copyright notice included.
Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to
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the following conditions: (1) Material used must be produced faithfully in
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remain unchanged, in whole or in part; (3) Material must be attributed to the
author Ayub A. Hamid. Contact the author for all other rights, which are
reserved.
Note: This series is providing the teachings of the Qur`aan, not a
literal translation. Instead of literal translation, it gives interpretive
meanings of the verses, along with their contextual details. Please remember
that any translation of the Holy Qur`aan is in fact only an expression of the
translator's understanding of the Word of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, and
hence cannot be equated with the Qur`aan itself. Only the original Arabic text
can be called the Holy Qur`aan.
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Ustaadz Ayub A. Hamid is a visionary and strategic Islamic thinker
residing in Canada for the last 34 years. His recently published books are:
1. Islam - Does It Make Sense?
2. Unveiling the Commands - The Truth about Hijaab, Khimaar and Jilbaab.
3. Finding A Soulmate - A Guide for Parents and Youth.
4. A Book Unlike Any Other.
5. Islam - Adopting Its Paradigms.
6. Exploring the Islamic Beliefs.
http://soundvisioncanada.com/shop/pbrowse.asp?Pg=3&Cat=10004
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The following soowar 'Teachings of the Qur`aan' series by Ustaadz Ayub A.
Hamid, are available on request:-
Al Faatihah
Al Baqarah
Aali`Imraan
A Nisaa'
Al Maaidah
Al An`aam
Al A`raaf
Al Anfaal
At Teen
Al`Alaq
Al Qadr
Al Bayyinah
Al Zilzaal
Al Aadiyatt
Al Qaari`ah
At Takaathur
Al`Asr
Al Humazah
Al Feel
Al Quraish
Al Maa`oon
Al-Kowthar
Al Kaafiroon
Al Nasr
Al Lahab
Al Ikhlaas
Al Falaq
An Naas
Al Mulk
Al Qalam
Al Haaqqah
Al Ma`aarij
Nooh
Al Jinn
Al Muzammil
Al Muddaththir
Al Qiyaamah
Ad-Dahr or Al-Insaan
K a r i m a
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