In the Shade of the Qur'an by Sayyid Qutb

This final passage of the sūrah portrays the distinctive features of the true servants of God, the Most Merciful. They appear to be the highest model of humanity that remains after the end of the long battle between true guidance and error, between those who impertinently deny the truth and God’s messengers who bring His guidance for humanity. They seem to be the fruit ripening after such a long struggle.

They are the ones who bring comfort to the bearers of divine guidance, after they had been met with denial and rejection.

The previous passage recounted the unbelievers’ impertinent remark when they said that they did not know the name Raĥmān, or the Most Merciful, as belonging to God. In this passage we have a full description of ‘the true servants of the Most Merciful’ who know Him well and deserve to be described as belonging to Him. The sūrah shows their distinctive features as reflected in their behaviour and the way they conduct their lives. They provide a living example of the Muslim community which Islam aims to build, and the type of person it moulds through the implementation of its perfect system. These are the ones who deserve God’s care. Mankind generally are too unimportant for God to care about, except for the presence of God’s true servants who always turn to Him, praying for His support.

The true servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk gently on earth, and who, whenever the ignorant address them, say: ‘Peace.’ (Verse 63)

The true servants’ first feature is that they walk gently, with no affectation, pretension, or display of arrogance. Like every movement man makes, walking delivers an expression of one’s personality and feelings. A serious, reassured and sound personality demonstrates itself through its gait. A person of this type walks with an air of seriousness and reassurance, reflecting clarity of purpose and strength.

To walk gently on earth’ does not mean that believers hang their heads down, affecting weakness and lack of support, as understood by some of those who think that by so doing they show themselves to be God-fearing! God’s Messenger used to bend forward when he walked. He was the fastest and best walker, with an air of serenity.

Abū Hurayrah reports: “I have never seen anyone more handsome than God’s Messenger: he looked as if the sun was reflected in his face. And I have never seen anyone who walked faster than God’s Messenger. It was as though the earth would shrink for him. [As we walked with him] we would put in our best effort, but he was most relaxed.” `Alī ibn Abī Ţālib describes: “When the Prophet walked he bent forward, as though he was walking quickly downhill.” In their serious and dignified approach, and in their attention to serious concerns, God’s true servants do not bother themselves with other people’s absurdities and stupidities. They do not waste their time or energy in futile arguments with such people. They recognize that engaging in an argument with people who argue for argument’s sake is fruitless. Hence, “whenever the ignorant address them, [they] say:

Peace.” (Verse 63) But this is by no means a sign of weakness or lack of ability. It is simply a dignified approach which does not permit them to waste time and energy over what is unbecoming of the honourable.

Such is their conduct in daytime when they are with other people. At night they reflect their God-fearing nature, as they stand in awe of God and fear His punishment.

Who stay up far into the night in adoration of their Lord, prostrating themselves and standing; who pray: ‘Our Lord, avert from us the suffering of hell, for the suffering it causes is indeed a dire torment; it is indeed an evil abode and a terrible station. (Verses 64-66)

The sūrah highlights here the two main movements Muslims perform in prayer, namely prostration and standing up. Thus it reflects their action in the depth of the night, when others are fast asleep. Such true servants of God stay up prostrating themselves and standing before their Lord, addressing themselves completely to Him. They are not concerned about not being in bed, because they have something that they enjoy, giving them far more comfort, energy and happiness than sleep can ever give. They are preoccupied with being close to their Lord, addressing Him with all their being. Hence, people go to sleep while they pray standing and prostrating themselves. Other people are concerned with their position on earth while these true servants of God look up to the throne of the Most Merciful.

In their prayers, with all its movements, and all their inner feelings, they are fully conscious of their Lord, fearing to incur His displeasure and so His punishment.

Thus they appeal to Him: “Our Lord, avert from us the suffering of hell, for the suffering it causes is indeed a dire torment; it is indeed an evil abode and a terrible station.” (Verses 65- 66) They have not seen hell or its suffering, but they believe in it. They also visualize it according to its descriptions in the Qur’ān and in the Prophet’s statements. Thus their genuine fear of it is the fruit of true faith.

Humbly and most seriously they pray to their Lord to avert their suffering in hell.

They do not feel safe simply because they spend part of the night in worship, prostrating themselves and standing in prayer. Their God-fearing sense makes them think little of what they do, feeling always that they fall short of what is needed.

Hence, they pray for God’s grace and forgiveness so that He spares them the punishment of hell.

This description implies that hell tries to engulf every human being, with its gates open and hands outstretched trying to grab them. God’s true servants who stay up far into the night in their devotion fear it and appeal most sincerely to their Lord to spare them from such punishment. As they address their prayer, they shiver with fear: “for the suffering it causes is indeed a dire torment.” (Verse 65) It engulfs its victim, not allowing them any room for escape. This is what makes it dire indeed. Moreover, “it is indeed an evil abode and a terrible station.” (Verse 66) Could there be a worse station than hell as a place of abode and settlement? How can anyone settle within the fire? How can there be an abode in a place of continuous burning?

God’s true servants lead a balanced life that is exemplary in its seriousness and moderation: “Whenever they put their money to use, they are neither wasteful nor niggardly, but always maintain a just mean between the two.” (Verse 67) Balance is the distinctive feature that Islam establishes in the life of the individual and the community. Its achievement is what Islam aims for through educating its followers and through its legal system. Its whole structure is based on balance and moderation.

Although Islam approves private ownership, a Muslim is not free to spend his money without restriction, as is the case in the capitalist system and in communities which do not conduct their lives in accordance with divine law. A Muslim is required to strike a balance between extravagance and miserliness. Both attitudes are bad for the individual, society and for money itself. Indeed, a miser not only deprives himself of the benefits of his money, but also deprives the community of the benefits of keeping money in circulation. Indeed money is meant to provide services for the community. Both extremes of overspending and withholding money produce social and economic imbalance, leading to crises, in addition to their unhealthy effect on people’s hearts and ethics.

As Islam regulates this aspect of human life, it begins with the individual, making the adoption of a balanced approach in life a feature of faith. Thus, whenever true servants of God, the Most Merciful, put their money to use, they “are neither wasteful nor niggardly, but always maintain a just mean between the two.” (Verse 67)

The next important quality of God’s true servants is that they “never invoke any deity side by side with God, and do not take any human being’s life – (the life] which God has willed to be sacred – except for a just cause, and do not commit adultery. Whoever does any of this will face punishment, and on the Day of Resurrection his suffering will be doubled, and he will abide therein in ignominy.” (Verses 68-69)

To believe in God’s oneness is the cornerstone of the Islamic faith. It is the point where clarity, straightforwardness and simplicity of beliefs is separated from ambiguity, confusion and complexity. Needless to say, no proper system of life can be based on the latter.

Similarly, prevention of killing anyone, except for a legitimate reason, is central to the achievement of security in society so that human life is given its rightful value and due respect. Otherwise, life would become like a jungle where no one was safe or able to do constructive work.

Likewise, preventing adultery is basic to the establishment of a clean social life where man rises above naked physical desires, and where he feels that the union of the two sexes has a nobler purpose than the mere satisfaction of desire. Otherwise, life sinks low and men and women become preoccupied with the satisfaction of unrestrained physical desire.

These three qualities distinguish the sound and clean life that is worthy of man from the life of cheap pleasures that reduces man to the rank of an animal. Hence, God mentions these qualities as belonging to His true servants who are the most honourable in His sight. Their outline is followed with a stern warning: “Whoever does any of this will face punishment.” (Verse 68) This punishment is outlined in the next verse: “On the Day of Resurrection his suffering will be doubled, and he will abide therein in ignominy.” (Verse 69) Thus, it is not merely a double measure of punishment, but ignominy too, which is even worse.

But the door remains open for anyone who wishes to save himself from such a fate. This requires repentance, firm belief and good action: “Excepted, however, shall be they who repent, attain to faith and do righteous deeds.” (Verse 70) Those who fulfil these three conditions are promised that whatever sin they did prior to their repentance will be changed into good deeds which will be added to their newly earned good actions: “for God will transform their bad deeds into good ones.” (Verse 70) This is an aspect of God’s bounty that is granted without the person concerned having to do anything to deserve it other than turn away from error and seek refuge with Him:

“God is indeed Much- Forgiving, Merciful.” (Verse 70)

The door of repentance is always open to admit anyone whose conscience is reawakened and wants to return to the fold. No one is ever turned away from it, no matter who he might be or what sins he might have committed in the past. A ĥadīth related by al-Ţabarānī mentions that Abū Farwah asked the Prophet: “If a man has done all kinds of sin, leaving out nothing, will his repentance be accepted?” The Prophet asked him: “Are you a Muslim?” When he answered in the affirmative, the Prophet said: “Then do what is good and abandon what is evil, and God will change all your past misdeeds into good ones.” The man asked: “And even my worst, treacherous ones?” The Prophet said: “Yes.” The man glorified God and continued to do so as he went away.

There is a rule for repentance and a condition for its acceptance, which are clearly spelled out: “Whoever repents and does what is right has truly turned to God by [his act of] repentance.” (Verse 71) Repentance begins with genuine regret and desisting from bad deeds and is made complete through doing good deeds that prove that it is a serious and genuine repentance. At the same time, good deeds produce a positive sense that favourably compensates for abandoning sin. Sin is an action which, when withdrawn, leaves a vacuum that must be filled with an action in the opposite direction. Otherwise, the feeling of emptiness makes one miss one’s old sinful ways.

Hence we see here a remarkable feature of the Qur’ānic method of cultivating goodness within the community of believers. It is based on profound knowledge of human nature. Who can know this better than the Creator?

Having completed this interposition of the conditions of repentance, the sūrah resumes its outline of the qualities of the true servants of the Most Merciful: “Those who never bear witness to what is false, and whenever they pass by [people engaged in] frivolity, pass on with dignity.” (Verse 72) This may be taken literally which means that they never give false testimony, since such an action leads to usurping people’s rights and helps injustice. It may also be taken to mean that they do not attend any place or stay with any group where falsehood is said or done. They steer away from such places or company so as not to be party to anything that happens there. This is a more powerful meaning. They also steer away from all frivolity and idle talk:

“Whenever they pass by people engaged in frivolity, pass on with dignity.” (Verse 72) They remove themselves from participation in any such practice. A believer has more serious preoccupations that leave no time for frivolous and idle pursuits. His mind is full with what his faith requires of him so as to ensure that God’s message is delivered to mankind. This is sufficient preoccupation for anyone.

Another of their qualities is that they are quick to remember when a reminder is given to them. Their hearts are open to the understanding of God’s signs and revelations: “And who, whenever they are reminded of their Lord’s signs, do not fall deaf and blind to them.” (Verse 73) The picture drawn here is critical of the idolaters who approach their deities and false beliefs like the deaf and blind, deprived of guidance and light. It shows them in a state of blind fanaticism, while God’s true servants are fully aware of the truth in their faith, and in God’s signs and revelations. Hence, they accept the faith with open eyes, hearts and minds. They are free of fanaticism. When they show enthusiasm for their faith, it is an enthusiasm based on true knowledge and profound insight.

Finally, these true servants of God are not content with staying up far into the night offering their voluntary worship, prostrating themselves to God, and allowing their other fine qualities to shine. They want something more. What they hope for is that they should have spouses of their type and children who follow in their footsteps, thus bringing them great joy. Not only so, but in this way, those who are classified as God’s servants will multiply. They also pray that God will make of them a good example for those who are God-fearing: “And who pray: “Our Lord! Grant us spouses and offspring who will be a joy to our eyes, and cause us to be foremost among the God-fearing.” (Verse 74)

This is a natural feeling based on a profound sense of faith. It expresses a strong desire to increase the numbers of people who follow divine guidance, and that the first in such increased numbers should be their own offspring and spouses who are the closest to them. Indeed, these are a man’s first responsibility. Added to this natural feeling is the believers’ hope that they will provide examples of goodness to be followed by those who are keen to earn God’s pleasure. There is no element of selfishness or arrogance in such a wish, because all the God- fearing are on the way that God defines.

What reward do God’s true servants receive? This outline of their qualities concludes with what they earn:

These will be rewarded for all their patient endurance [in life” with a high station in heaven, and will be met there with a greeting of welcome and peace, and there they shall abide; how goodly an abode and how high a station. (Verses 75-76)

The Arabic text uses the term al-ghurfah, which is translated here as ‘a high station in heaven’. The term may be taken to mean in this context either heaven, or a special place in heaven. Linguistically speaking it means, ‘the room’, which is a more honourable place than the reception room where Arabs normally received their guests. True servants are received in this high position with a warm welcome, on account of their patient endurance of whatever they had to put up with in order to maintain their sound qualities. What is implied here is recognition of the strong will- power needed to restrain desire and resist temptation. This is not easy to do without a good degree of endurance that can only be shown by someone who is deservedly mentioned by God in His book, the Qur’ān.

In contrast to hell from which they pray to God to save them, God rewards them with heaven where “they shall abide; how goodly an abode and how high a station.” (Verse 76) There they are in the best state, enjoying God’s favours and blessings.

With the picture of God’s true servants fully drawn, showing them as the cream of humanity, the sūrah concludes by stating that mankind are worth very little in God’s sight, except for the fact that some of them turn to Him in prayer. As for those who deny Him and His messages, they will be punished. “Say: No weight or value would my Lord attach to you were it not for you calling out [to Him]. You have indeed denied [His message], and in time this [sin] will cleave unto you.” (Verse 77)

It is a fitting final statement which is intended to give comfort and reassurance to the Prophet, consoling him for the stiff resistance and impudent remarks he received from his people who persisted with their opposition in order to maintain their false beliefs. What value would they and humanity have, if it had not been for the small group of believers who prayed and appealed to God, as do His true servants? What significance do they have when the earth on which all mankind live is no more than a tiny particle in the great universal expanse? Moreover, man is no more than one of the numerous species that live on earth. Any nation is but one of many that live on earth, and a single generation of one nation is no more than a single page of a great book the number of whose pages is known only to God Almighty.

Despite all this man continues to give himself airs, thinking himself to be of real value. He is so lost in his arrogance that he speaks impertinently about his Creator. In truth, man is weak, powerless and insignificant, except when he establishes his links with God and derives from Him strength and guidance. Only then does he acquire weight on God’s scales, to the extent that this becomes greater than that of angels.

This is indeed a blessing God bestows on man whom He has honoured and before whom He ordered His angels to bow. The purpose of all this was that man should know his Lord and worship Him alone, for only then does he maintain his qualities for which the angels bow. Otherwise, he is insignificant and valueless.

“Say: No weight or value would my Lord attach to you were it not for you calling out [to Him].” (Verse 77) The phraseology here is meant to give support and honour to the Prophet who speaks of his Lord who grants him His protection. What are the unbelievers if they continue to refuse to join God’s true servants? They are no more than fuel for hell: “You have indeed denied [His message], and in time this [sin] will cleave unto you.” (Verse 77)