S45. SURAH AL-JATHIYAH

NAME: In ayah No.28, it is mentioned that every nation will be kneeling on the Day of Resurrection, and this allusion gives the surah its name.
TIME OF REVELATION: Was revealed in Makkah, and according to the topics it can be presumed that it might have been revealed immediately after the Surah Ad-Dukhan.
CENTRAL THEME : Drawing attention to monotheism and the signs of the Hereafter, to warn of the adverse consequences of denying them.
ORDER OF THE VERSES: In Verses Nos. 1 to 6 attention has been drawn to the sign of Tawheed (monotheism), to which Quran is inviting mankind.
In Ayah Nos. 7 to 15 those people who refuse to listen to Allah’s revelations have been warned of their adverse consequences, and the people of faith have been directed to excuse them. AyahNos.16 to 20 warn Bani Israil for their creating dissent and disputes in the religion after receiving that blessing, and directing them that the shariah which was being sent down to them should be followed. AyahNos.21 to 35 remove a few doubts and answer the objections about the Day of Reward and Punishment. Ayah Nos.36 and 37 are the concluding ayahs of the Surah in which Allah’s praise has been narrated.

45. SURAH AL-JATHIYAH Ayat : 37

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

1. Ha. Meem.1

2. The revelation of the Book is from Allah,2the Mighty, the Wise.

3. Verily, in the heavens and the earth there are signs for believers.3

4. And in your creation and in the beasts that are scattered in the earth are signs for the people with full faith.4

5. And in the alternation of night and day, and the provision that Allah sends down from the Heaven with which He revives the earth after its death, and in the marshalling of the winds, are signs for men of understanding.5

6. These are the revelations of Allah that We recite to you with truth.6Then in what fact, after Allah and His signs, will they believe?7

7. Woe to each sinful liar ! 8

8. Who hears the revelations of Allah recited to him, and then as though he never heard them, persists in pride. Give him tidings of a painful punishment.9

1. For the explanation of these letters please see surah Momin, Note No.1. In this surah Ha and Meem hint at Allah’s being Wise (Hakim), which occurs in ayah No.2.

2. Quran repeatedly clarifies that Allah has revealed this Book to His messenger so that there should not remain any doubts in the minds of the people and that they should realise their responsibility in relation to this Book.

3. For those who are prepared to take into consideration the signs that draw attention towards Allah and accept the faith, there are great signs in heavens and the earth. Quran relates these signs with detail so that people may ponder and contemplate. Further on some signs have been mentioned. A hint also emerges from this ayah that faith an emotional-cum-spiritual state Which is created in a man on a thoughtful observation of the sky and the earth. If a man is in his healthy sensible nature, then on observing the earth and the sky his inner self would of itself acknowledge that this is the artistic creation of one God, and only He is the rightful worshipworthy Being.

4. Pondering over these signs that recognition of Allah is attained which strengthens the belief of His being the only God.

5. While pondering over the signs faith and belief in the heart is strengthened, at the same time man also gets intellectual satisfaction.

6. These revelations from Allah are being recited before you in such a way that they are free from all kinds of adulteration. Every word of the Book is Allah’s own word, and through it truth is appearing before mankind in a clear and unambiguous form.

7. When the existence of Allah is a clear reality, and His revelations have further clarified His existence and His unity, then what further proof is needed to convince them of such a clear fact for accepting faith?

8. The life of a person, who speaks lies concerning Allah, is essentially a life of a sinner.

9. Painful punishment is not a thing for which a tiding is given, but to startle the disbelievers this word is used, so that they may come to their senses.

9. And when he knows anything of Our revelations, He makes it the butt of a jest. For such there is a shameful punishment.

10. Beyond them there is Hell,10and that which they have earned,11will not be of any use to them, nor those whom they have taken as protecting friends besides Allah.12Theirs will be an awful punishment.

11. This is guidance.13Those who denied the revelations of their Lord, for them there is terribly painful punishment.

12. It is Allah who has subdued the ocean to you 14so that ships may sail on it at His bidding, so that you may seek His bounty 15and render thanks to Him.

13. And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, all is from Him.16Surely there are signs 17in this for thinking men.

14. Tell those who believe to forgive those who do not look forward to the exemplary warning days of Allah, so that He may requite the people what they earn.18

15. Whoever does what is right, does it to his own advantage, and whoever commits evil does so at his own peril. 19Then to your Lord you will be returned.20

16. We gave to Bani Israil the Book, and wisdom and prophethood, 21and provided them with good things 22and exalted them above the (other) nations.23

10. That is: For them in their future life is Hell.

11. Earning includes wealth, property and also acts of righteousness and wickedness.

12. Whether they may be idols or devi and devta, angels or pious persons, in whose devotion they are so absorbed and from them they hope to gct what is done with Allah.

13. That is: This Quran.

14. Subdued to you means placed at your disposal to serve you. It is His physical law that in the oceans large ships remain floating on the surface, while a stone thrown in its water sinks.

15. Means trade journeys which are the means of earning livelihood, which is termed as Allah’s bounty, because it is Allah’s over lordship and power which grant man his livelihood and provision for sustenance, for which thanks are due. Trade and business are done by a believer as well as a disbeliever. But their ways of thinking and attitude are basically different. A believer thinks that his efforts are to seek Allah’s bounty that the provision that He has made will be achieved by him and he will offer thanks to Him. While a disbeliever thinks that he has to earn his livelihood on the strength of his own ability. And whatever he gets he thinks that it is on account of his own efforts.

16. All things are created by Him and He has put them in the service of mankind for their benefit. Besides Him there is none who is their Creator nor anybody who can put them to service.

17. These are the signs towards which man’s attention has been drawn. They are the best means of attaining Allah’s recognition and developing a correct relationship with Him. And every person can achieve these results on pondering over these signs in the guidance of Quran, as is being presented by Quran. These signs are such that can be understood by classes and masses and they appeal more to the heart, while the logical arguments which are presented to man are not so easy that can be understood by every one, nor are they so impressive.

18. By days of Allah are meant those historic days on which Allah punished the guilty nations of the world. Such instructive punishment will be given in future also to people who will follow footprints of the guilty nations. But in case of these who do not fear any such reprisals inspite of their guilty acts and persist in hurting the interests of the people of faith, instructions are given that their acts be ignored and they should be left to be dealt with by Allah. On the one hand this is the guidance of Quran, and on the other the attitude of the present Muslims is that on the slightest provocation they are exceedingly irritated and are ever ready to launch a protest movement. It may be noted that there is a place and occasion for acting on the guidance of ignoring or forgiving the hurt from the disbelievers, and also there is a time and place for fighting against them. There is no contradiction in both the ayah, and there is no reasons to believe that one cancels the other.

19. For explanation, please see Surah Ha Meem As-Sajdah, Note No.71.

20. That is: From where your beginning had taken place, to that place you will have to return. Your birth had taken place at the bidding of your Lord. You have not been created by any other being nor are you to return to any other being.

21. Bani Israil were given Scriptures like the Torah, Bible and the Psalms. Along with it they were given wisdom (commandments) that is the understanding of the Divine Book, so that they may take guidance from it in their practical life, and among them a series of prophets were sent.

22. That is: Pure lawful provisions, food, etc., were provided to them. In Egypt they had to live as an oppressed people. After coming out from Egypt the free ambience which was made available to them and the kingdom which they got in Palestine all this was provided to them so that they might earn lawful livelihood and lead righteous life. It has become easy for them to earn their livelihood living within the limits of the Shariah.

23. Compared to others, they were selected to invite the people of the world to the religion of truth and to give them a lead. This was a great honour. And for this purpose Baitul Maqdis was made the centre of the Islamic dawah.

17. And gave them clear commandments. And they did not differ until after the knowledge came to them, through rivalry among themselves. Verily your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Judgment about what they used to differ.24

18. Then We sent you on a plain Shariah, so follow it, and do not follow the desires of ignorant men.25

19. They can be of no use to you in comparison to Allah.26And verily as for the wrong doers, some of them are friends of one another and Allah is friend of those who fear Him.

20. These are the points of enlightenment for mankind,27and a guidance and a mercy for people who are firm in their belief.

21. Or do those who indulged in evil acts suppose that We shall make them as those who believe and perform good acts, the same in life and death?28What a bad judgment that they make!29 One of the worst decision that is being taken by them.

22. And Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth,30and so that every soul may be repaid what it has earned.31And they will not be wronged.32

23. Did you see him who makes his desire his god,33the man whom Allah in error ,34setting a seal upon his ears, and heart and drawing a veil over his eyes leaves? 35Who can guide him after Allah36(has withdrawn guidance)? Will you not then take heed?37

24. For explanation, please see Surah Aal-e- Imran Notes Nos.27,28 and Surah Ha Meem As- Sajdah Note No.68 and Surah Yunus NoteNo.144. The difference of Bani Israil about which Quran speaks is a lesson for the followers of Quran. Yet Muslims have adopted the same attitude as that of the Bani Israil. Before them is the clear command of the Quran and the authentic traditions of their prophet, even then they have been split up in groups and various sects, and interpret according to their own whims. Free from blind following and undue devotion, very few Muslims appear to be unprejudiced, who study the Quran, and there are still few Muslims who follow the teachings of Quran and the traditions of the Prophet. Today the Muslim society is riddled with various innovations and they are badly under the pressure of their personal desires.

25. Follow the Shariah which is being given to you through the Quran and do not follow the ways of the people of the Book by leaving this Shariah, which they have adopted in their religion to follow their whims.

26. This is a warning that if you leave this Shariah and follow the invented ways of the people of the Book according to the desires, they will not save you from Divine Punishment on the Day of Judgment.

27. These are the things which give you knowledge.

28. For explanation, please see Surah Saad Note No. 38

29. This is a very unreasonable and unjustifiable fact that evil doers should be placed on the same level as the righteous persons, and it should be thought that whatever method be used it is similar in the sight of Allah. He neither takes any notice of those who commit evil and tyrannize people, nor does He get pleased with those who perform good acts, and rewards them.

30. Explanation has been given in Surah Dukhan Note No.42.

31. This is the truthful purpose for which the world was created. If the matter of reward and punishment was not to occur, then there would not have been any purpose for this universe. Those who deny the ultimate reward and punishment are not able to fix up any purpose for the creation of this universe. And what a tragedy that man is in darkness about this purpose of his own and the universe’s creation and should live without knowing what is going to happen in future, and what preparations are necessary for the final showdown. Can there be any doubt about the failure of a person who considers the examination Hall to be a place. for merrymaking?

32. It has become clear that the severe and eternal punishment which will be meted out to the disbelievers will be quite justified. Only those people can term it as unjust who are unaware of the balance of justice that has been established in the universe: “He raised high the sky and established the balance.”-(Surah Rahman:7)

33. For explanation please see Surah Furqan Note No.57. To leave aside knowledge, intelligence and the light of the divine revelation, and to follow the carnal desires is as good as worshipping them, that is why they have been termed as to have been made deities, otherwise nobody actually worships his own desires. Allama Aaloosi has explained the ayah thus: “This is an expression of amazement on the condition of a person, who inspite of following the divine guidance obeys his own desires, as if he is worshipping them. To make it more effective a metaphor is used here.” -(Roohul Ma’ani, part 25, page 152).

34. He has not been left in error unknowingly, but Allah did it with full knowledge of his condition that he is not prepared to accept the guidance. The condition of his thinking was known to Allah, so Allah left him to wander.

35. For explanation please see Surah Baqarah Note No.15.

36. Whoever comes under the divine law of misguidance none can make him understand nor guide him.

37. This is a warning for the listeners of Quran to take heed otherwise they would also become like worshippers of desires.

24. And they say:“There is nothing but the life of the world we die and we live here, and nothing destroys us exept time.”38(In fact) they have no knowledge of this, they do merely guess.39

25. And when Our clear revelations are recited to them, they say: “Then bring back our fathers, if you are truthful.”40

26. Say: “Allah gives you life, then causes you to die, then He will gather you all on the Day of Resurrection. Of this there is no doubt, yet most men do not know it.”41

27. And to Allah belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth; and on the day when the Hour of Doomsday arrives, the followers of falsehood will be lost.

28. And you will see each nation kneeling,42each nation summoned to its record. (It will be said): This day you are requited for what you used to do.

29. This Record of Ours speaks with truth against you,43Verily We have caused what you did to be recorded.44

30. Then, those who believed and performed good acts, their Lord will admit them into His mercy. That is the evident triumph.45

31. And as for those who disbelieved (will be told:) Were not Our revelations recited to you? But you were scornful and became a guilty people.

38. In the ayah the word ‘Dahr’ is used which means Time. The polytheists of Makkah were not the deniers of the existence of God, but they thought that other beings were in such a position that they could make or mar anybody. And among them was also a group which did not consider Allah as one who caused death, but that death occurred due to passage of time. They thought that death was neither a part of divine plan nor was there a second life after death. Therefore, they used to consider their end dependent on the passage of time, that a time comes and a man passes away, as man used to get young and old with the passage of time. For this reason they used to abuse the time if any disaster occurred causing inconvenience. This has been forbidden by the Prophet (S.A.W.) in a hadith : “Allah says children of Adam abuse Time, although I am Time, and the night and day are under my control.” (Sahih Bukhari -Kitabul Adab). The meaning of the words ‘I am Time’ is not that Allah exists in the material form as time. Allah is free from and beyond the possibility of having any material existence. All things that have material existence are created ones and not the Creator. Allah is the Creator of all material things, therefore, time is also a created thing and not the creator. The meaning of this Hadith Qudsi is this that when a person receives some harm from a thing, he abuses time considering it to have come from that source. But in fact it is Allah who causes changes in the circumstances and conditions of the world, therefore, whatever good or bad thing is received by man is not without the knowledge and bidding of Allah. To curse Time for this is to (God forbid) curse God, because time does not cause any harm to anybody. It may be noted that the word ‘Dahriya’ is presently used for a person who is an absolute denier of God or an atheist and thinks passage of time as the cause of all acts. But whatever is stated in the ayah is about the polytheists, though it applies to atheists also.

39. This assertion of theirs is not based on any logic, but is merely guesswork, on the basis of which they talk in this way, otherwise how do they know that there is no spirit which would face any problem after death and that all are to be revived on a certain day.

40. This argument of theirs is no argument at all. They present it and ask that if dead people can be made to come to life again, then bring their fathers back to life. This demand was totally absurd, because Quran states that revival of all humans will take place on the Day of Resurrection, and not at any time in this world. If it were to take place in the world, then where was the question of accepting faith and where was the occasion for taking test?

41.This is a positive answer to their question, that passage of time does not give life nor does it cause death of anybody. It is Allah who gives life and who causes death, and He has fixed the Day of Resurrection for reviving all mankind, but a very large number of people does not know this absolute Truth.

42. That is: On the Day of Judgment every group of people will appear before Allah in such a condition that everyone of them will be crouching on knees. Crouching is a humiliating position, and on that day even the proudest of men will be on his knees. Everyone will be helpless to be in this condition and collectively even those nations which were very proud will be crouching before God. In this ayah the glimpse of the Day of Judgment that has been shown is sufficient to break the pride and vanity of the proudest nations, provided it they are prepared to study it with open mind.

43. This will be the tape record of every body’s acts and everybody will hear his own record. The statement of the Quran that this record of mankind will speak should not astound anyone, because man has already invented the tape-recorder. With the modern discoveries and inventions the truth of Quran is becoming more and more clear.

44. That is: Our angels are taking that down in writing.

45. What triumph can be more satisfying than a man’s being admitted in Allah’s mercy permanently?

32. And when it was said: “Verily, Allah’s promise is the truth and there is no doubt of the coming of the Hour of the Doomsday,” you said:“We know nothing of the Hour of Doomsday, it is but a conjecture, nor are we convinced.”46

33. And the evil of what they did will manifest 47itself to them and what they used to deride will encompass them.48

34. And they will be told: “We will forget you 49as you yourselves forgot that you would meet this day. Hell will be your home and none will help you.

35. “That is because you scoffed at Allah’s revelations and were deceived by your earthly life.50“On that day there will be no way out for them, nor will they be given a chance to make amends.51

36. Then praise be to Allah,52Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, the Lord of the Worlds.

37. To Him belongs majesty in the heavens and the earth, as He is mighty, Wise.

46. There are people who are total deniers of Doomsday, and there are also many who are in doubt about the occurrence of the Doomsday, and they are not prepared to believe that one day the Doomsday will certainly occur. Both these kind of people are disbelievers and guilty, because both ignore the Hereafter and lead their life as such, and therefore, the end of both will be the same.

47. That day they will realise that what a sad and horrible mistake was committed by them by denying the occurrence of the Hereafter, when they will see the results of their acts.

48. That is: The punishment of the Hell about which they used to cut jokes in the world.

49. You are being ignored because you do not deserve to be shown mercy.

50. Seeing the glitter of the world man gets so much attracted and attached to the worldly life that he is not prepared to think about any life after the life of this world. He interests himself only in gathering the utmost benefit in this world. And as for the life after death, if at all it occurs, that will be seen. This is a great deception, but even today most people are deceived by such a thought. And it is Quran that wants to take them out of this deception. If only they could study it with seriousness!

51. The place for making amends or repentance is the world and not the Hereafter. After failing in the test in the world there is no other chance for making amends or preparing for another test.

52. These are the last ayah of the Surah which end on the praises of Allah and they give us a feeling that for the wise things that have been disclosed in the Surah for them Allah should be praised and thanked.