In the Shade of the Qur'an by Sayyid Qutb

This last passage of the surah presents what the idolaters used to say about the hereafter, resurrection and accountability on the Day of Judgement. It refutes their arguments, citing irrefutable evidence drawn from their own particular situation. It then portrays a scene from the Day of Judgement which they see as closing in upon them, even though it is not as yet due. This is because the Qur’anic style presents it as if it is there before their very eyes.

The surah then concludes with praises of God, the only Lord of the heavens and the earth and all those who live within them. His glory is extolled and no one can aspire to His position of absolute power.

They say: 'There is nothing beyond our life in this world. We die, we live, nothing but time destroys us. Of this they have no knowledge whatsoever. They merely guess. Whenever Our revelations are recited to them in all their clarity, their only argument is to say:

'Bring back our forefathers, if what you claim be true. 9 Say: 'It is God who gives you life, then causes you to die; and then He will gather you all on Resurrection Day of which there is no doubt, though most people do not understand. ’ (Verses 24-26)

So short-sighted were they that they considered life to be nothing beyond what they saw before their very eyes: one generation dies and another replaces it in life. Apparently, no hand deals death; it is all a question of days that pass and time that elapses bringing death to all.

It is time, then, that ends their lives, making them die. This is a superficial outlook that does not go beyond appearances to discover subtle reasons and causes. They do not ask what brings them life; or, when it is there, what takes it away? They see that death does not occur according to a defined system or after a certain number of days and years. Instead, they think that only the passage of time deprives them of life. Death comes to all: children and the elderly, the healthy and the ill, the strong and the weak. Therefore, when we carefully consider the reason behind all this, time is an inadequate explanation.

Therefore, God says of them: “Of this they have no knowledge whatsoever. They merely guess” (Verse 24) Their guesses are wild, lack proper reflection, sound knowledge and an understanding of cause and effect. They do not look carefully at the two phenomena of life and death to realize that they are the result of a will other than that of man and a reason other than the passage of time.

“ Whenever Our revelations are recited to them in all their clarity, their only argument is to say: 'Bring back our forefathers, if what you claim be true.,M (Verse 25) This is a similarly superficial outlook devoid of any understanding of the laws of creation, Gods wisdom or the secret that lies beyond life and death. People live on this planet so that they have a chance to work towards their ultimate destiny. Thus, God tests them by means of what He places at their disposal in this life.

They then die and await the time of reckoning determined by Him.

They will account for what they did in this life. Therefore, when they die, they do not return to this world. No purpose is served by such a return before the appointed time. They will not return merely because a group of human beings suggest they should. The major laws God has set in operation in the universe are not changed as a result of human suggestion. There is no question whatsoever of their naivety in answer to Gods revelations being taken up: “Bring back our forefathers, if what you claim be true.” (Verse 25)

Why should God bring back their forefathers before the time He, in His infinite wisdom, has determined? To convince them that God is able to bring the dead back to life? How amazing! Do they not see that God initiates life at every moment before their very eyes, in accordance with the law He has set for life? It is God who gives you life, then causes you to die; and then He will gather you all on Resurrection Day of which there is no doubt” (Verse 26) The very miracle they want to see done to their fathers occurs before their very eyes. It is God who grants life and causes death. There is nothing surprising, then, that He will bring the dead back to life, gathering them all on Resurrection Day. Why should they entertain any doubt about this, when they see it occurring before them: “Though most people do not understand.” Verse 26)

The Qur’an’s comment on this visible fact cites the origin of all: “ To God belongs the dominion over the heavens and the earth? (Verse 27) He is the One who makes and controls everything in the universe, and He is the One able to originate and reinstate everything and everyone.

They are now presented with a scene from the day that they doubt will ever come:

When the Last Hour strikes, those who follow falsehood will on that Day lose all. You will see every community on its knees. Every community will be summoned to its record: 'Today you shall be requited for all that you did. This Our record speaks of you in all truth; for We have been recording everything you do! (Verses 27—29)

In the first of these verses they are told of the fate of those who follow falsehood. They are the ones who end up in utter loss. Then we are given a panoramic view, with all the generations that have dwelled on the surface of this planet throughout the ages gathered together.

They all sit on their knees, each community distinguished from the next, but all awaiting their dreaded accountability. The atmosphere is one of awe and fear. How can it be otherwise, when the assembly brings together everyone from all generations, and they are all on their knees? Greater fear is inspired by what lies ahead of people having to account for their deeds. What generates most fear, however, is that they have to face God Almighty, the Most Gracious, whose blessings were not met with gratitude, on earth, by most of those gathered before Him.

All those waiting on their knees look anxiously, breathless and with dry mouths. They are told: “ Today you shall be requited for all that you did. This Our record speaks of you in all truth; for We have been recording everything you do? (Verses 28-29) All of them, belonging to different communities, races and generations, are split into two groups - believers and unbelievers - for there is no other banner to raise on that occasion.

One is God’s party and the other is Satan’s.

“ Those who believed and did righteous deeds will be admitted by their Lord into His grace. That will be the manifest triumph” (Verse 30) They are the ones who are given comfort to dispel all worry and anxiety. The outcome of their situation is given straightaway, easily and without delay, so as to spread over them a pleasant air. But what do we find as we stretch our eyes through the words of the text to look at the other party? We hear a long and shameful rebuke one that reminds them of their worst sayings and deeds:

And as for the unbelievers, [they will be asked]: When My revelations were recited to you, did you not glory in your arrogance and persist in your wicked ways? For when it was said, ‘God’s promise will certainly come true, and there can be no doubt about the Last Hour, ’you would answer, ‘We know nothing of the Last Hour. We think it is all conjecture, and we are by no means convinced.’” (Verses 31-32)

How do you view your situation now? Are you convinced? Then the surah turns away for a moment to give us a glimpse of what happens to them: “ The evil of their deeds will become clear to them, and they will be overwhelmed by the very thing they used to deride.” (Verse 33)

Further reproach is heaped upon their heads, and they are told that their lot will be nothing other than total disregard, humiliation as well as painful doom:

It will be said to them: ‘Today We shall be oblivious of you as you were oblivious of the coming of this your Day! The fire will be your abode, and you will have no one to help you. Thus it is, because you received God’s revelations with ridicule and allowed the life of this world to beguile you. ’ (Verses 34-35)

As their ultimate fate is announced, the curtains are drawn leaving them in hell from which they cannot hope to leave and where they are not asked for excuses or justification: “Therefore, they will not be brought out of the Fire on that Day, nor will they be given a chance to make amends.” (Verse 35) As we listen, we almost hear the doors of hell as they are finally closed. The scene is completed; nothing of it will change.

The surah concludes with voices praising and glorifying God:

All praise is due to God, the Lord of the heavens, the Lord of the earth and the Lord of all the worlds. His alone is all supremacy in the heavens and the earth. He alone is the Almighty, the Wise.

36—37)

The praising voice declares Gods Lordship over the universe: earth and heaven, mankind and jinn, birds and beasts, as well as everyone and everything. They are all under the care of one Lord who is totally in control. Praised is He for the care He takes of them all. The glorifying voice declares that all supremacy in the universe belongs to God alone.

To Him bows every exalted tyrant, and to His power submits every rebellious nature. Furthermore, to Him belongs the supreme power and absolute wisdom. Praise and glory to God, the Lord of all the worlds.