S52. SURAH AZ- ZARIYAT
NAME: An oath of At-Toor (Mount Toor) has been taken in the very beginning which has given this name to the Surah.
TIME OF REVELATION : It appears from the Subjects that it might have been revealed in the middle of the Makkan era.
CENTRAL THEME : The News which the Prophet is giving about Resurrection and requital is a fact which will necessarily occur.
ORDER OF THE VERSES : In ayah 1 to 16 the deniers of Resurrection have been warned that they will face the punishment in the Hereafter. To create certainty, witnesses have been sited and the punishment has also been pictured. In ayah 17 to 28 there is a picture of the blessings and honours with which Allah will reward the righteous who had feared Allah. In ayah 29 to 47 some questions have been raised before the opponents which automatically remove their doubts. In the concluding ayah 48 and 49 the Holy Prophet has been advised to be patient and he has also been guided to hymn the praise of his Lord. Hadith : Umme Salmah says that once she told the Holy Prophet that she was ill (Hence how can I perform Tawaf circumamblence). He replied. Perform the Tawaf from behind the people by getting mounted (on an animal). At that time the Holy Prophet was performing salat on one side of the Baitullah (Kaabaa) wherein he was reciting Surah Toor.(Bukhari, Kitabut Tafseer)
52. SURAH AT-TOOR Ayah : 49
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
1. By 1 the Toor 2
2. And by a Scripture inscribed.
3. In the open leaves of thin skin. 3
4. And by the house populated. 4
5. And by the roof elevated. 5
6. And by the sea overflowing. 6
7. That the torment of your Lord will surely come to pass. 7
8. There is no one who can ward it off.8
9. The Day when the heaven will begin to tremble.
10. And the mountains will begin to move.9
11. Woe that Day unto the deniers.
1. Here the oath (swearing) is in the meaning of witness. For clarification please see Surah Takweer, Note: 14.
2. That is Mount Toor where Prophet Moosa was honoured with prophethood and he was given a shariah (Islamic code of Life).
3. Means Taurat the parts of which were the being written on thin leather and thereafter its sheets were being spread open for the purpose of reading.
4. Means the Holy Kaabah which is always full of circumambulators and the performers of Hajj and Umrah. As mentioned in Hadith, “Baitul Maamoor” is in Paradise, but it also indicates Kaabah. Since here it is being mentioned as a historical evidence it can only mean the visible ‘Baitul Mamoor” (Kaabah).
5. Means the sky the ceiling of which is very high.
6. That is by the ocean overflowing with water.
7. This is the thing, by way of witness where to the above mentioned things have been presented. The Prophet of the Quran is informing the people about the Day of Resurrection which is not such a new thing which can be considered as a poet’s whimsical thoughts or as madness. It is such a true fact which has been a part of the teaching of all prophets and history bears witness to it. The same voice was raised from the top of Mount Toor and this teaching is extant in the open sheets of Taurat.
Similarly, the foundation of Kaabaa, which is the oldest house of worship and which is always full of worshippers, was raised on the belief in the unity of Allah and the day of Resurrection. So, these two things had always been the brightest aspects of the teachings of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail. Thus this prosperous house is continuously transferring the belief of resurrection from generation to generation.
These are the historical things which support the belief of Resurrection. As regards its fear, it can be produced only through the concept of the greatness of Allah. And the idea of HIS greatness can be entrenched in human hearts by observing the signs scattered everywhere in the universe. For example, the vast ceiling of the sky, the height of which is beyond imagination, provides the proof of the perfectness of power of Allah and thinking over it creates awe of His Greatness. Similarly, the roaring of oceans on the surface of earth creates fear of Allah the Lord of the Worlds. In other words, entire atmosphere of this vast universe is a training ground for man which makes him certain of Allah’s Might and Greatness. His fear must cover our hearts. Yet man, despite living therein, does not get himself trained and passes his life without fearing Alla h and he is ca reless a bout Resurrection.
8. That is, the occurrence of Resurrection is definite. There is no power which can stop it.
9. Mountains will be uprooted from the earth and be scattered in the air.
For the reconstruction of a house, it is necessary to demolish the old structure first. Likewise, this world will be demolished so that a new world can be brought into existence; such a world where man can harvest the fruits of the seeds which he had sown in the old world and get its taste. It is called Qiyamah. (Resurrection).
Those people who think that this earth and this sky will always remain the same are wrong. Scientists say that this universe is very old. But they cannot deny that it can meet with a sudden catastrophe at any time. The earth is apparently calm. But sometimes the gas in its interior gets stirred and we have terrific earthquakes.
12. Who are playing with discussion.10
13. The Day they will be shoved toward the Hell.
14. This is the Hell which you were wont to deny.
15. Is this magic, or you are unable to perceive ? 11
16. Enter in it. Endure it or endure it not, it is equal to You 12. You are being given the same in reward what you used to do.13
17. Verily the God-fearing 14 will be in the gardens and the bounties.15
18. Will be enjoying the blessings bestowed on them by their Lord. And their Lord will have kept them protected from the Hell-fire. 16
19. Eat and drink joyfully as a reward for your deeds which you used to do.
20. They will be reclining on ranged thrones 17And WE will wed them to huries (maidens) with beautiful eyes18
21. And those who believed and their progeny also followed them with belief, WE will cause their progeny to join them.19And will not decrease anything from their deeds.20 Everybody is a pledge for his earning.21
10. They have raised various kinds of discussions and debates regarding Resurrection. They are making a mockery of Jannah (Paradise) and Jahannam (Hell).
11. When the Prophet was picturising the Hell before you, you were saying that it was a magic of words. Now see, whether or not it stands before you as a reality? Do you still doubt and think that you are spellbound and under illusion ?
12. That is: either bear the torment silently or go on screaming. You are not going to be heard.
13. You are only harvesting what you had sown. These are the consequences of your deeds which you must bear.
14. In comparison with the deniers, here is the description of the God-fearing which automatically clarifies that the Muttaqi (Godfearing) people are those who believed in Allah and in the Hereafter, feared the responsibility of the Day of Judgment and adopted righteousness.
15.They will be in the gardens and the blessings of the Paradise.
16. To be saved from the torment of the Hell, is in itself, a great blessing.
17. Their scats will be in front of one another so that they can talk with one another and these seats will be very comfortable.
18. This has been explained in Surah Dukhan, Note: 55.
19. This is an added good tidings for the Believers (people of the Faith) that their off springs who believed and who followed them as desired by Islam, will be caused to join them in the Paradise so that their eyes may cool and they may get satisfaction of heart.
What will be the manner of this joining will be known only after entering the Jannah (Paradise). It is not proper to speculate about it.
So far as the minor children of the believers who expired before becoming adult are concerned there is a hint in the Hadith that they will be in Paradise. (Please see ‘Bukhari’, Kitab-ul- Janaaiz, Chapter: Maa Qeela Fee Awlaadil Muslimeen).
This verse also cautions the people of the Faith that if they want to see their progeny with them in Jannah, then they should make efforts to create the light of Imaan in them and to make them true followers of Islam. The modern day Muslim does everything to brighten the worldly future of his children but cares the least to improve their Hereafter. If some people teach religion to their children it is limited to mere formalities. ‘They pay no attention to imbibe a conscious religiosity in them and to train them in such a way that they may begin to fear Allah and adopt Deen completely and entirely.
20. Their status will not be lowered in order to make their children join them. They will be placed in the same position to which they are entitled according to their good deeds.
21. No one should entertain a misunderstanding that his progeny will enter Jannah despite whatever bad deeds they might have done. No, but everyone is mortgaged for his deeds and is responsible for his acts. Salvation is possible only when they come up with a good record of deeds. And Imaan (Faith) is a must for good deeds. If his life was devoid of Faith and good deeds then he will not be saved on the Day of Qiyamah and he will not be protected from Hell-fire torment.
22. And WE will go on giving them whatever kind of fruits and meats they will desire.22
23. Coming forward they will be taking from one another cups of such a wine which will contain neither absurdity nor any matter of sin.23
24. Such handsome boys will be in their service as if they were hidden pearls.24
25. Paying attention to one another they will make inquiries.
26. They will Say: Before this, when we were with our families, we were fearing (Allah).25
27. So Allah conferred benevolence on us and saved us from a charring torment.26
28. Before this we were invoking Him.27 Verily HE is Great Benefactor and Merciful.28
29. So (O Messenger!) admonish them. By the Grace of your Lord you are neither a soothsayer nor a mad man.29
30. Do they say this is a poet for whom we await vicissitude of fortune.30
31. Say (to them): Await. I am also awaiting with you.31
32. Do their minds teach them only things like this, or they are a rebellious folk?32
22. WE will continue giving them these pure things. They will be given whatever kinds of fruits and meats they will like. This also makes it clear that meat-eating will be there in Paradise also.
23.They will take the cups of pure wine from one-another freely and frankly. This Shows the extent of their mutual love and liking. This wine of the Jannah will be without the bad influences of the worldly wine. After drinking the heavenly wine man will neither speak non-sense nor commit any sin. It will be of an entirely different quality and it will produce a kind of pleasure which is unimaginable in this life.
24. Just as the protected pearls are clean and bright so will be these boys clean and handsome. They will be a cause of affection for them. This detailed description of the Paradise presented by the Quran creates certainty about its being a reality. It is the speciality of Quran that it gives so many details. It is not found either in the Bible or in any other religious book considered sacred in such an attractive manner.
25. They did not remain fully engaged in building only the worldly life of their family members and they were not unconcerned or their responsibility regarding the Hereafter. Rather they were engrossed in adoring the second (eternal) life of their kith and kin. They were leading a very careful life so that no command of the Shariah might be breached.
26. Form the Hell torment which is a scorching punishment.
27. They were invoking and worshipping Allah as the ONLY ONE worthy of worship and were addressing their prayers only to HIM.
28. In Jannah the people of the Faith will appreciate the bounties gifted by Allah. Their appreciation will bring forth these words from their mouth.
29. This is a refutation of the allegation made by the polytheists who were saying that the Holy Prophet was a soothsayer and a madman.
For explanation please see Surah Shu’ara, Note: 180 and Surah Hijr, note: 8
30. Means we want to see the direction in which event turn and to know the outcome of this person’s claim of being God’s messenger:
31. The Quran had said very firmly and decisively that if you are waiting to see what happens to the Messenger in this world then do wait. Its truthfulness will surely come Out. The falsifiers will meet their bad end. After only a few years this Quranic foretelling came true word by word. The Holy Messenger attained honour and victory and the falsifiers died a humiliating death.
32. These people are trying to assassinate the personality of the Holy Prophet branding him a soothsayer, a lunatic or a poet. But is this really what their intelligence tells them? It is never so that a man who speaks wise words can be a mad man or a gentleman who presents convincing facts can be a soothsayer or a fellow who brings out authoritative arguments can be a poet. In other words, these talks of the deniers are not due to any wrong guidance given by their intelligence but it is the evil inside them that compels them to talk such nonsense. Subdued by their evil desires and wrong inclinations they are bent upon disobedience and rebellion.
33. Do they say he has invented this (Quran)? The truth is that they do not want to believe.33
34. If they are truthful let them produce a discourse like this. 34
35. Are they born without anyone creating them or are they their own creators?35
36. Have they created the skies and the earth? The truth is that they have no certainty.
37. Do they own your Lord’s treasures or do they control over them?36
38. Have they any stairway by means of which they overhear the talks (of Heaven)? If so the hearer should produce a clear37 proof.
39. Has HE daughters and you have sons!38
40. Do you ask any compensation from them 39 that they are being crushed under pressure of that debt?
41. Do they possess knowledge of the unseen that they are writing?40
42. Do they want to lay a plot? If it is so, only the disbelievers will be trapped in that plot? 41
43. Do they have any Deity beside God? Allah is far from that which they associate with Him.
33. That the Quran’s being a Divine Word is a clear fact. But since they do not want to accept Faith they allege that the Messenger’s recitations (Quran) are of his own making. Today also there are many people who allege that the Quran is the work of Muhammad (Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) only because, logically, if they accept that it is Allah’s work, then they will have to accept Iman and enter Islam.
34. This was a challenge thrown to those who used to allege that Muhammad (Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) had made up this Quran. This challenge was repeated in a number of Surahs subsequently. But it could not be replied either then or subsequently. And it is a true fact that Quran is such a book that neither there is nor there can ever be parallel of it. The setting of words, the order of the verses, the fluency, the uniqueness of style, the rhythm of sound, the presentation of hear twinning and soulawakening description all are clear proofs of its being a miracle. For further elaboration please see Surah Baqarah, Note: 30.
35. This is a very piercing question that man is created without a creator or he is the creator of himself? Obviously neither of the two statements is correct. It is a fact that man is a creation. How can a creation come into existence without a creator? As regards the second thing that man is his own creator, it is both unimaginable and incorrect. When man did not exist how he became his creator. If man is his own creator then why does he not make any variety therein. Has his power of creation finished after molding himself in a particular form model or pattern?!
It is clear that the existence of a creator having all the attributes of divinity is an undeniable fact. It is also the call of every heart. Therefore, these ayah of the Holy Quran continued to penetrate human hearts. Bukhari has recorded the event of Jubair bin Mutim. He narrates that the Holy Prophet was reciting these ayah while performing his Maghrib Salaat. When he reached these ayah the soul became me so affected as if it was flying away. (Bukhari, Kitabut Tafseer)
36. That is: When neither they are the owners of Allah’s treasures, nor they are under their control whereby they can give anything to anyone at will then what is the basis of their pride and arrogance? When they are getting their quota of provision as per Allah’s plan they should realise the over lordship of their LORD.
37. Have they any means to ascertain the heavenly happenings? If anybody claims that he has heard the negotiations of the upper world then he should produce its clear proof. If it is not so, and it is definitely not so then what is the source of their talks about God, angels and religion?
38. For clarification please see Surah Saaffat, Note: 131.
39. For explanation please see Surah Shu’ara, Note: 98.
40. Is the revelation descending upon them which they are writing in a book form ? If it is not so it is a fact that it is not so, then on what grounds they are becoming negligent about the Guidance which has come in the form of Quran?
41. For explanation please see Surah Fatir, Note: 78 and Surah Talaq Note: 17.
44. If they will see a piece of sky falling down, they will say it is a cloud, piled up.42
45. So let them off, until they reach their day when they will lose their senses.43
46. That Day neither their plotting will avail them nor will they get any help.
47. And for wrong doers there is punishment 44 before this but most of them do not know
48. (O Messenger!) Wait patiently the decision of your Lord 45 You are in Our Sight. 46 and recite “Tasbeeh”. with the praise of your Lord when you rise up.47
49. And during night also recite His ‘‘Tasbeeh” and also at the 48 setting of the Stars. 49
42. They are so obstinate that they will not believe in any miracle. Even if a piece of the sky is to be shown to them as falling down, they will at once say that these are clouds, one upon another. They will believe only when they will be engulfed by the Hell-fire.
43. When they are not prepared to heed your admonition, leave them to their fate. They will realise when they will face its horror. This commandment of leaving the unbelievers to their fate is with regard to admonition. Otherwise, in the stage of jihad, it is essential to crush them. Accordingly, in the Madinite stage force was retaliated by force.
44. That is: Prior to the punishment of the Hereafter, there is a punishment in this world also. Means that punishment which comes down upon the community falsifying the Messenger. Accordingly. Allah’s torment came down heavily upon the Arab polytheists in the form of Muslim swords. They met a death without honour.
45. These are the concluding verses of this Surah wherein the Holy Prophet has been consoled and he has also been instructed to busy himself in praising and glorifying Allah. Decision means that Divine decision which will be enacted to punish the disbelievers.
46. Means O Messenger! Allah is watching you. So do not worry about their conspiracies.
47. That is: When you get up after your night sleep remember Allah, recite His ‘Tasbeeh’ sacredness and praise HIM. This is a hint towards Salat of Tahajjud (predawn prayer).
48. This includes Salat of Magrib and Salat of Isha and also reciting words of Tasbeeh (God’s glorification) during the night as it is worship which keeps one’s heart inclined towards Allah.
49. Means Fajr (dawn) hours when stars are setting, making the assembly of the sky desolate. This is the time which can awaken man’s mind and soul. Hence we are called upon to recite Allah’s praise. This includes Salat of Fajr.